Hiking

Today was awesome!! We had a slow morning of coffee, breakfast and taking in the glittery sun-kissed waves of the water. The ducks and pelicans were out in their usual spots, fishing for their morning eats. There has been a couple of male mallards hanging around our patio door, and as I've walked near the door to look out, they startle and start scurrying off. It's made for a couple of cute photos, but I feel bad for disturbing them. Birds and wildlife have it hard enough, I hate to disturb what peace they do find! After saying our goodbyes to the peaceful (and almost empty) water and resort, we got ourselves ready and packed up the car, checked out and headed straight for Frontenac state park again. The weather was *finally* mild and sunny, perfect for hiking, on this last day of our vacation.

The park seemed almost empty, too, save the RV campers all huddled together in their vagabond-ish digs. The trails and other parking lots all stood empty and blissfully silent for us this morning. We took the "Hiker's Trail" which is a tad more challenging than the paved trails, but gorgeous scenery and welcomed exercise, especially since I'm trying to shed the "couch potato" winter self and trade in for the new and improved "summer fit" self! We had romantic walkies and talkies, taking loads of pictures. We saw more eagles, turkey vultures, pelicans, crows, tiny birds of all kinds, woodpeckers (that are so silly sounding with their "knock-knock" sounds that pierce the gentle stillness --you almost want to say, "Come in!" as if they're knocking at the front door :), a bunch of occupied nests and we even came across a bird pellet! It was so secluded that we both felt comfortable enough to pee just off the trails, except for the worry that I may accidentally tinkle on my shoes!!! All came out fine :)

After our 2 1/2 hour hike, we bid the forest farewell and made the journey home through the concrete jungle. We stopped in Hastings and had some yummy burgers at RJ's Tavern on Main (Hey! RJ's, that's our initials!!). I had the Philly burger which was fantastic, and John had the mushroom and Swiss and a Fulton's beer. We stopped quick to drop off a little treat for Mum for watching little Vesta-Nut for us (homemade chocolates from a cute little place in Lake City) and found that she'd left us a wonderful anniversary gift and card! She made us gorgeous handmade cloth napkins in every color of the rainbow!!! THEY ROCK!!! So thanks to my awesome Mum for being the cool-ass lady that she is :)

Vesta was sitting by the door ready to pounce on us the second we walked in the door! Though I swore I'd not nap so as to further screw up my sleep schedule, I couldn't help it with the "sun sleepies" I always get after hard walking paired with a nappy nutter sleeping on me! I was out cold and woke to the sound of my own snoring and my head craned completely backwards on the chair. We're a little bummed the fun is over, but we're already thinking of where we might go next :)
Photos to come!
Love & hugs, R&J