When I worked with elementary school students, I decided that Hiker-dog needs a resume to share when we shared her story. She’s such a celebrity, but not the least bit arrogant!
Follow this link to learn more about Hiker-dog’s rescue and recovery. Gift From the Ozarks
Here’s a pdf for printing or to open links. Hiker-dog resume 072217
WordPress Photo Challenge: Collage
I love a good hardware store, but never thought to pull the camera from my belt while visiting one! That is until I visited Walrod’s Hardware. This is a Fort Smith treasure and reminiscent of The Tool Room in South Arkansas that my dad and I often visited when I was a teenager.
On this day, I was driving my dad from a doctor’s appointment and commented that we needed to take a little field trip. What I found were collages that appeared random, but ask Jerry, the owner, for the most obscure of items, and you’ll see that there is a practical organization that works. With experienced eyes, he effortlessly points out the item on a busy shelf.
I was overwhelmed by the choice of hammers!
I now have an appreciation for the beauty of screw-eyes and u-bolts!
Though this galvanized watering can seemed out of place atop the ratchet sets and next to the nuts-and-bolts isle, it stood out with an artistic flair.
Here are a few scenes from our hardware collage field trip.
Walrod’s Hardware
2113 Midland Blvd.
Fort Smith, Arkansas, 72904
Eric Scowden and I hiked to The Point well before dark and determined where to place our tripods. In the water was the best spot. As we prepared our cameras I asked, “Would this be a bad time to tell Tim Ernst’s cottonmouth story?”
Eric had been at Tim’s slideshow so we were both remembering it at the same time as we stood in grassy water close to shore. We were not waist-deep in water as Tim had been and there were no boulders for cottonmouths to get eye-to-eye with us.
The show began at 9 p.m. with color still in the sky but the brightness and sounds were still startling and beautiful.
Plant growth at the bottom of the frame where we stood in the water.
Delayed percussive booms traveled across Lake Alma with jarring impact. On the hike out, we heard continued fireworks provided by local residents, mixed with distant thunder provided by Mother Nature. I was glad that Hiker-dog was hunkered down at home since she doesn’t care for loud noises, though she may have been fascinated by the fiery skies over Lake Alma.
With lightning showing thorough the foliage in the distance, we spent some time experimenting with light painting and long exposures. Eric took a photo of me swinging my headlamp around to illuminate the scene.
Thanks to Eric for the photo coaching. His advice helped me capture some pleasing photos of our small town fireworks show.
Follow this link to download a pdf of the Alma Park Map 2017.
Be sure to check out Tim Ernst’s website and journal for wilderness stories and photography.
Steven Parker, Maintenance Coordinator for the OHTA, gave an excellent discussion of the Ozark Highlands Trail on The Trail Show podcast. Seven’s interview begins 41 minutes into the podcast.
If you accidentally come in a couple of minutes early, don’t let the heavy metal-like “Back on the Trail” scare you. Just past this shocking sonic experience, you will be treated to a 20-minute discussion of the Ozark Highlands Trail.
Click on link to go to the podcast or paste address into your search window: http://thetrailshow.com/the-trail-show-60-the-oht/
Here’s an earlier blog post that includes some photos of Steven and other volunteers who keep the OHT open. In Praise of Trail Maintainers
This time last year I was with good friends on the John Muir Trail. While reading a thru-hiker blog, I came across this Maslow quote and immediately pulled out my maps to plan a future adventure.
If you look closely, you can see the John Muir Trail route across the green edge next to the lake below. How I’d love to walk that path again!
My JMT post from last summer: A Few Steps in Paradise
Ozarkmountainhiker 