Park Passport – Hopkinton State Park

I found a letterbox requiring a canoe in the 2nd to last park we needed to finish the region we’re working on for Park Passport and the weather on Sunday was in the 60’s.  How perfect is that?

Holt Hill Letterboxing

On Saturday we finished up our errands and decided to take advantage of what is sure to be some of our last warm weather.  Since it was already after lunch, we decided to head out for some letterboxing.  After perusing our choices, we selected one located on Holt Hill.  The owner who donated the property built Solstice Stones at the top which looked particularly intriguing.

Turned out to be a lovely walk, with a great field for frolicking.  We played monkey in the middle with Luna calling her to each of us in turn.  She really does do a great job when she doesn’t have tons of distractions.

The Solstice Stones was a bit of a wash, especially since they were covered with Boy Scout’s backpacks.  Seems they had a field trip to the tower at the top.  Somehow the mystery is lost with 30 or so kids running around. 

As advertised, the letterbox was very easy to find.  This was what is referred to as an “orphan” box; one that has been abandoned and picked up by someone else.  Truthfully, I’m not sure why someone would have bothered to rescue this one.  It was probably the single worst stamp carving I’ve ever seen – think 2 year old scribbles.  Fun, relatively easy walk in a pretty spot though, so thoroughly worth the trip on a lazy afternoon.

The Park

We spent this afternoon at the park.  It was a bit on the chilly side, but the sun was out.  There is a baseball field that is surrounded by steep hills that was completely empty so it was safe to let Luna off her leash.  Piper and I practiced calling her back and forth between the two of us.

She did a great job and I’m glad, because if her speed now is any indicator, there’s no way we’re going to be able to catch her when she’s grown.

She had a ball, and seemed to love being able to run flat out for once.

The park we visited also has a lake, so we were able to make her introduction to fresh water.  She did a bit of wading, but didn’t seem to have any urge to go in deeper and spent most of her time investigating the beach and chewing acorn caps.

Piper had her usual good time running around barefoot despite the fact it was only in the 40’s.

Playing with the sand on the empty beach

Collecting and cracking acorns

I think we all enjoyed being in a place where Luna could roam a bit and get in very little trouble and we managed to get her completely tuckered out so she’s been sleeping peacefully since we got home. 

Walks and Leaves

As a part of “Project Tire Luna Out So We Can Get Our Schoolwork Done” we took her for a walk this morning.  This is something we’ve tried in the past, but her little legs weren’t quite up to it.  What a difference a few weeks makes, she made it around the whole block going the whole time except for the obligatory sniffing interludes.  Hopefully we can make this part of the morning routine providing exercise for both the humans and the puppy.  After we got back, Piper and Luna engaged in some fun with leaf piles. I expect we’ll get a good long nap when they come in.

Happy Halloween

Piper building leaf towers in our gorgeous weather – 72 degrees!

The Carving

The Tower of Mordor complete with glowing eye at the top.

Tim’s maple leaf

The Costume – Elf from Lord of the Rings.  I couldn’t be happier with the way this turned out.

 

Art Class – Owl, Gargoyle, Tree, and Fence

I’ve been loving Tim and Piper’s projects from the last few weeks.

Here is Piper’s owl from last week done with watercolor pencils.

Piper’s gargoyle from this week.  They were working on drawing statues.

Tim’s work from last week.  I think this technique is called Toned Ground.  The dark charcoal is put on and then removed or lightened using your fingers or an eraser.  The very dark lines are then added in.  Oddly, Tim was surprised at how much I liked these.

Wordless Wednesday – Luna and the Mop

Halloween Horse Show

Sunday was the annual Halloween Horse Show.  This show is just for those taking lessons at our stable, so they are wonderfully laid back.  As always, it is next to impossible to take photos in the dark barn, but I got a few.

Piper was a little nervous because this was her first time in the Beginner Canter division and she got Simon who is notoriously difficult to get going.     Despite her worries, she did end up getting him to canter, did a great job, and ended up taking first in this part of the competition.  I truly appreciate how her instructor helped her to be successful by encouraging Simon, especially since Piper was so certain it wasn’t going to go well.

Piper took third in the jumping part of the competition.  When I asked her about the show in general, she told me she thought she needed to work on her jumping. 

If you look closely at the picture below, you’ll notice Piper has an apple under her chin.  Piper took first here too, and both the apple and her chin have the bruises to prove it.  No stubbornness there.  Uh, uh. 

Here’s Piper with her instructor Cathy.  We also got to see our previous instructor Stacey who was back for a visit.  We miss her, but we were glad to hear she’s settling in at her new home in Virginia.

Piper had a great time and ended the day with a tie for Champion.

Honey Harvest

This weekend Tim finally got around to spinning out the honey.  Piper and Grandfather helped scrape the cappings off of the frames.   Piper is a pro by now having done this for several years.

Here it is, our entire honey harvest for the year. At a little under one and a half gallons, this would have to be our smallest harvest ever.  Normally I have a couple of gallons to sell – not this year.   A couple of friends have already been asking and it’s sad to have to disappoint them.  I know it looks like a lot, but between Tim’s granola and bread-making we tend to use at least this much in a year.

This the darkest honey we’ve ever had.  My guess is that with all of the spring rain we had, the bees entirely missed that nice light spring flow.  Not to worry though, it is still delicious!

Tim is already talking about getting two packages of bees next year to ensure that we actually have two hives.  I’ll just concentrate happy thoughts on a more seasonable spring. 

Wordless Wednesday-Piper and Luna