Hiking, Observing, Harvesting, Sharing; but mostly, Learning...

Hiking, observing, on occasion, harvesting, and sharing... But always learning!

Today was a fantastic day! For me, unlike most days, it started after the sun had risen. Every morning this past week the dogs were walked while the moon and stars were still in the sky. I've been witness to a spectacular sunrise and the crisp air of early autumn has been cool upon my face each morning. Today though, our dogs walked in the first light as opposed to last darkness.

I walk every day, I must, it's demanded on me, a responsibility of keeping canines in one's household. But I also choose to walk. It gives me opportunity, objectivity and peace of mind. I walk with my camera, or my fishing rod and at this time of year, my gun. 

Walking is a major mile stone in one's life! A child's first step is celebrated by his or her parents. It's the first step towards one's independence. But as we grow it seems that being able to ride a bike, swim, or drive a car become more important. Walking though is so much more a greater achievement. As our friends and family reach an age where mobility is impaired, once again if one can walk, at a great age, it's celebrated. What good is longevity if one cannot walk?

Our walk through life is both figurative and literal. We cross paths with others' walks. We are often asked to walk a mile in someone else's shoes. We walk down the aisle. Hopefully we are blessed with someone to walk hand in hand with: I am. Life is a walk.

Every day that I am capable of walking is a blessing. I am thankful for each step I am able to take. I am hopeful for each step I take. Each step gives me a new view, a new perspective. Each step is an opportunity for a new encounter, a chance meeting of minds, something new to harvest. Most importantly though, each step is a chance to learn!

As infants, we learn to walk. As adults, we should walk to learn!

    

The Forest Floor

Keeping my walks in perspective, and my wits about me...

Some more views of the forest floor... AND a good reason to look up every once in a while!

I wasn't the only one having a wander this evening. As I walked down one slope, no more than 20 minutes from home, I encountered evidence that the berries were still on one forest denizen's menu!

We're not the only ones that check out the under growth. And we're certainly not the largest of God's creatures that walk in the woods! This bruin must have weighed in at over three-hundred pounds. Far bigger than twice my size, I was fortunate he had his mind set on blueberries! 

The moose too, should be respected. Getting between a cow and her calf can be as dangerous as coming between a she-bear and her cubs. I've yet to see a moose while hiking, only while driving so far this year. But there are plenty of walks to come.   

A Bad Day Fishing is Better than a Good Day at Work!

They say a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work. So then, how much better is a great day of fishing compared to a good day at work?






The day started out rainy, let up a little, rained some more, and some more after that. It did just happen to subside as we launched the boat. But mostly it rained. When it wasn't raining the air was simply just wet! 

The walleye were wet too! But after all, they do live in the lakes! As do the pike: they though, are not just wet, but slimy too! 

The slime on the Northern Pike serves a great purpose! It acts to shield the fish from bacteria. If the slime is removed, by such things as handling them too much before release, it becomes susceptible to all manners of disease and infection. So in a sense, it protects the fish in two ways: disease and contact. After all, how many of us choose not to handle them just because of the slime!




We kept two pike anyway! I'm now searching for some unique recipes!

 





We also kept four walleye. We released many more, and all of them far bigger than the ones we kept! Better they return to the dark waters to swim and reproduce again!



I'm not sure what the rest of you think, but I'm quite positive of my thoughts on this. I'm also of the mind that Travis, "Master Guide" on this adventure, had a far better day on the lake than he would have had at work! I know, emphatically, that I did! 

     

The Philosophy of Walking in the Woods

The View from up here is Great!



The view might be simply fantastic, but sometimes in our haste to go from one vista to another, our impatience to see the next panorama causes us to overlook what very well could be the best view of all. Don't forget to look down! 

The forest floor can offer some of the most wonderful of scenery. Tiny, microcosmic landscapes; a palette of colours not expected; shapes and patterns of a very compelling nature, and not necessarily found when peering across a vast stretch of woods, hills or lakes.

 

   

I am compelled to wonder if Jean-Paul Sartre, Kierkegaard or Gabriel Marcel walked the local woods of their respective homes. Were their thoughts on existentialism influenced by what covered the ground where their feet trod? 

Did Sartre see the "rot," influencing his adherence to Atheism? Proof in his mind that man's amorality was only possible if God did not exist? 

And did Marcel or Soren Kierkegaard see the "rot" beneath their feet and envision a renewal in life, a return to the earth in a spiritual re-birth of a plan that their God had put in place billions of years before their walk through the woods would ever happen?

 My walks through spruce forests, poplar stands and muskeg are meaningless to most. In fact,  they only have meaning to me. As I view the moment, I can only but realize that I have no influence on my surroundings... Other than where my feet tread.

Always look down, you never know what you might step on!

Any Excuse...

Any Excuse for a Walk in the Woods...

Woke this morning to the wood-fire out. It was chilly. Best remedy for a cool Sunday morning? The new Keurig that Aimee brought home late this week. It was raining too. Walk the dogs, but wait the rain and dark skies out before the first walk in the grouse woods for the season.

I left the house just by one this afternoon. There are not many places left in this world where you can walk through your subdivision with a shotgun over your shoulder. So I walked to the woods with a pocket full of shells, my camera and a curiosity, no, a hope for what I might see.

I walked for four hours! I heard many birds. I saw one, took one shot, and took that one bird home! I took many photos though. I looked down as much as I looked up, not to stop from tripping up, but just to see what was there.

I saw some fantastic and interesting stuff! Views and panoramas, tiny forest growth, and unfortunately some trash. 

This week, in the early evenings after work, I’ll walk the woods a few more times. 

Tomorrow we’ll be blueberry picking; found a great spot this afternoon closer to home than expected. Maybe another grouse or two later in the week. Of course, I’ll fish one of those evenings too! 

I’m thinking a new recipe is formulating; Grouse with a blueberry sauce!

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. I’m thinking a walk a day keeps the doctor away! And, after all, hunting, fishing or photography are simply good excuses for a walk in the woods!   

Well, it would seem I've been quite negligent in keeping up with my postings here! But the adventures have continued. The travels have been far, the photography extensive and the fishing quite good.



For an update on the travels and adventures visit my other blog. That blog though, asks more questions than it answers! And if you have any of the answers, please share them! Always appreciate the feedback!

So where have my rod, reel and gun been? And "boots" taken me? Well, look at these images...

 How did I get to these places?

And so far, the sport and bounty have been spectacular!

Blue berries, bunnies and grouse next!