Mid July we created an area for the Fireplace/TV.We framed new wall for symmetry after centering TV.This shelf is the top of exposed TV area.Practicing our dry-walling skills.Meanwhile in the garage we created this curved panel.The curved panel position when the wall is completed.This art panel we built to move up behind above feature and down to cover TV, powered by….A Linear Actuator. Ours is an 8′ extended length with a 4′ retracted length and 4′ stroke length.Wave tiles are made of recycled wood. We cut off edges for a continuous book-matched pattern.The high gloss white paint that matches doors/trim created some light and shadows.Cabinet for computer media streamer.We splashed in some waves on the kitchen prep area too. Kashmire Cream Granite installed Dec 2 to match kitchen. Both by Tile&Art DurangoTV revealed with a photo of Colorful Colorado.Turn up the jazz and pour the wine. Our custom frame around the artwork really added finishing touch.
Cuyahoga Valley NP – in Ohio and a new National Park for us. Ledges Hike was beautiful. Earlier in the day we walked around Garfield National Historic Site and learned about the presidential campaign of 1880.
Sittin’ on the dock of Nimisala Regional Park, OHIO. That evening it poured – an unbelievable amount of rain.
Moundsville in West Virginia was closed but our first introduction to the Mound Builders.
Newark Earthworks is a large park like area by Mound Builders. Museum closed but we walked the grounds.
The Major Lunar Standstill is situated between the mounds every 18.6 years.
Great Seal State Park in Ohio is located in the hills that are on the state seal. We camped here for a night. The Governor chose this park for a COVID memorial – very moving.
Hopewell Culture NHP – so many mounds with interpretive signs to explain what was found in the different mounds.
Artifacts found here at Hopewell Culture NHP
Seip Mound area of Hopewell Culture NHP for an early morning walk/hike.
Serpent Mound, National Historic Landmark, Ohio. Outstanding. Apparently the center of the serpent curves align with different solstices, lunar standstills etc. Fascinating artistic and engineering talent.
Drove to Dayton Aviation Heritage NHP where the Wright Brothers actually made their first plane. Also visited Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers NM in Dayton area which was an interesting history of a great African American solder that was in charged of overseeing the early Yosemite National Park.
Fort Lincoln State Park in Indiana. We are here to see the cabin Abe Lincoln grew up in but it isn’t this one. Today we visited Ft Ancient Mounds and William Howard Taft NHS, and had the best Little Caesars Pizza ever — near Grantsville, Maryland just off I-68.
This is a replica built of the cabin which made it easy to picture Abe reading by the fireplace light. This is in Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial.
This is the actual preserved foundations of the cabin Abe grew up in, not far from the reproduction.
The much older brother of William Clark of Lewis and Clark fame, George Rodgers Clark NHM commemorates the highest ranking patriot of the American Revolutionary War
Mighty Mississippi River from the Illinois side looking over to Missouri. The British Fort of Kaskaskia was here, with Cohokia Ft not too far away (we visited Cohokia for the Mound builders). We also visited nearby Ste Genevieve NHP in Missouri, One of the oldest European settlements in the US with a strong French presence.
Lake Erie: our fourth Great Lake. We stayed at Ohio’s East Harbor State park – very pleasant.My Dad’s parents met in 1932 in Put-In-Bay. Looking forward to seeing the island community.A short 20 minute ferry ride. We are choosing to walk the 2.5 miles into town.We first visited the Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, built to commemorate the Centennial of a battle of war of 1812. Beautiful and in a wonderful setting. Visitor center was closed but serendipity as rangers were there and let us have a private viewing of the movie.View as we relaxed on the bench enjoying the sunshine. “Don’t Give Up the ship!”We talked to the manager of this hotel as it is the oldest still operating. Many other buildings and parks were around in the 1930s. He said they were not the first couple to meet on the island and get married and not the last.1939 as they start a family. Grandad was a cook on great lake freighters before Put-in-Bay and afterwards, he owned a Dinette in Jackson, MI. Grandma was a farm girl that became a lifelong waitress – and a great baker as well.
Hiked in to see this beautiful waterfall at Pictured Rocks NLS.
More water falls to enjoy.
Long sand beaches for our morning walks. Spectacular to be here.
We walked about 2 miles along the shoreline to reach Au Sable Light Station.
Time for a bit of maintenance – replacing the headlight bulb — took watching YouTube video on phone, buying bulb, and lots of patience using improvised tools.
Whitefish Point Lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior, protecting part of this notorious 80-mile stretch.
The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975 with her entire crew of 29 lies just 15 miles northwest of Whitefish Point.
The many moods of Lake Superior have caught many ships unaware.
We hung out for the day and spent the night at this boat launch as all nearby campgrounds were full on a Saturday night.
Water in this bay was warm and calm enough for a swim.
Sault Ste Marie Soo Locks had an outdoor viewing platform to watch the freighters rise or fall to the proper level of lake Superior or Lake Huron.
Freighter coming out of Soo locks at a nearby park where we had a picnic lunch.
Front row seat to continue watching the freighters during Wine o’clock and dinner at Bay Mills CG.
The Mackinaw Bridge! 3,000 miles in 3 weeks since we have left home. Ready to visit Mom!
So many beautiful alpine lakes in this one area of the Snowy Mountain Range.
The lakes appear to change color during the day as they reflect the mood of the sky.
As we hike by, there are numerous reflection of the surrounding Rocky Mountains.
On top of the world: the first day hike is to summit Medicine Bow Peak.
We were here 7 years ago and took a picture at this spot at start of hike to Lost Lake. https://tealsky.com/2014/09/08/medicine-bow-national-forest-in-wyoming/
Our bit of Paradise for 5 nights! Sugarloaf campground has 16 sites and one can start many great hikes – starting elevation 10,700.
Easy stroll to Libby Lake to watch the changing shadows on Sugarloaf.
Another beautiful September day for a hike to Lake Maria. A great way to celebrate Labor Day.
Columbines blooming are a sure sign of spring. Lots of wildflowers on the trails.
White fluffy clouds just say summer to me.
Day trip to near by Echo Reservoir to enjoy the wonderful sunshine.
Another day trip to Santa Fe – 160 miles one way to the charging station. Oh, and could not pass on some great shopping!
Nice stop for coffee break. Took about 40 minutes to add 140 miles of charge (for a total 225 miles to return home).
Our first restaurant dining since Spain in 2020 – great outdoor patio with spicy New Mexican food.
We built this kayak stand to give us more room in the garage – works great!
Another building project?
A bug hotel for our 6-year-old great-nephew. We had fun painting and decorating!
We did an overnight trip to South Fork and got a hike in together as well.
He also came to see our house and check out the kid size bridge in our Japanese Garden- a fun day of mini-golf, picnic lunch, library summer reading, and a walk along the river.
We dodged some summer storms but managed a few evening concerts in the park.
Wandered downtown on 4th of July to see all having fun floating along the river.
Cruised downtown for the car show – dressed to match so owner wanted a photo.
