Autumn Leaves

I decided to take it easy and stick close to home on Tuesday after my jungle gym exercise on Monday.  These are just a few of the lovely leaves gracing the parkway in south Minneapolis. 

Climb, Climb up Sunshine Mountain

 

A panoramic view taken with my iPhone.

No mountains were involved, but that song was the first thing I thought of when I reached the summit of the Mille Lacs Kathio State Park 100ft. fire tower yesterday.  For all the spectacular views, those 137 steps to the top were well worth it!

A zoomed-in view taken with my Nikon DSLR.

It didn't matter which way I looked; the trees were happy and glowing.

Nikon DSLR shot.

View of the fire tower taken with my Nikon DSLR.

I was concerned that my rebuilt knee would be really grumpy after climbing and descending all those stairs.  I took it easy on the way up by taking one flight of stairs at a time and then relaxing on each landing for a minute.  

A sign at the bottom stated that only 6 people were allowed at a time.  You would be right if you think the structure looks a bit spindly.  When I arrived, 6 people were already at the top.  I saw 3 people waiting at the bottom.  Two were waiting to climb, and one lady was waiting for her party at the top to come down.  She wasn't able to climb because she would have severe vertigo on the way down.

Once the group at the top started to descend, the 3 of us started our ascent.  I'm not afraid of heights, but I do have a fear of falling.  Each flight of stairs was reinforced with stiff wire mesh, so I wasn't scared of falling off the side but possibly down one flight.  I kept an iron grip on the railings.

In the little boxy room at the top, there was a lot of shaking due to people climbing and the wind blowing.  Hold it together, Spindly Tower!  I was concerned that all my pictures would be blurry due to the 'bouncy house,' but I needn't have worried.

137 steps up meant 137 steps down.  I steadily descended without any rest stops or mishaps.  I was pooped by the time I reached the bottom and joined my friend on a bench for a little while.  It wasn't until we were ready to leave and I started walking that I realized my legs were like Jell-O.  Dear legs, thank you for letting me know how out of shape I am.  Apparently, they think they need to keep reminding me because my quads have been screaming at me ever since I woke up today. 

Katydid Incognito

 

Katydid did not fly.

Katydid didn't ask why.

Katydid glows so bright.

Katydid by camera light.

Katydid likes the corn.

Katydid tries to keep warm.

Katydid, but did she really?

Katydid, I'm being silly.

~original poem by Elisabeth Howard 2024 

(I know you're impressed.  Ha!)

Bumbling Along

 I love Nyjer flowers and bumblebees.  It's always great when I have both in the backyard.

Looking for the Whales

 Alaska Cruise Trip Day 5 – Juneau

After our interesting morning at the Dawes Glacier, we headed to Juneau to watch whales.  

In Juneau, we boarded the St. Elisabeth (what an excellent name for a boat!) and boated out to the North Pass of the Favorite Channel. 

A few whales were blowing geysers and "tooting their horns" while a dolphin pod frolicked near them.  There were no spectacular breaches, but it was still exciting to see whale tails.  Parts of whale bodies would slide in and out of the water like sci-fi sand creatures.  

The tour guide said the whales winter in Hawaii to have their young and then swim to Alaska for the summer.  It was still early in the season when we were there, so there was not as much marine life to be found.

When I think of whale watching, I think of the A-ha song, We're Looking for the Whales.  I can hear that song in my head when I look at today's featured pic.