Out and about

Saturday we ventured out with Ranger Blue to recycle paper and plastic stuff.  We took a detour on the way home. 

 As you can see everything is shades of brown. 

soon we had snow and a bit of ice on the old trail

Then snow covered.  There were three areas with trees across the trail...we either drive over them if they are small...or around.  We saw Trumpeter Swans out in the old corn fields and some ducks down on Shell River. 

It was about 60 F yesterday or 15 C eh!  Not much sunshine but Ranger Blue has heat so we were very comfortable. 

We live a hermit lifestyle back here in the woods.  Our only interaction with people in the outside world is at medical appointments or the grocery store.  This week for excitement we had delivery people that delivered the recliner and the Fed X driver who dropped stuff off at the front door.  I did speak with my siblings on the phone and of course Jen and Miss Paige.  Late in the afternoon Saturday my other baby brother, she who sees robins first and their grandson Jordan stopped by for a visit out on the patio!

Far Side

Trail Ride

 We went for a trail ride with my baby brother and his bride yesterday.  

After the rain and a frost last week the golden colors are very vibrant.  We are pretty much past peak but the golden color was lovely.

Far Side

Fall color and a mission

 Yesterday we went for a trail ride.  We had a purpose.  Far Guy gathered together some black dirt a small shovel and a hoe.  We thought we had grass seed, but looked high and low for it.  Fortunately my baby brother had some.   My Father's grave site needed a bit of grass seed and since the weather is now rainy it is a good time to plant some seed.  We can travel to the cemetery using forest trails. 

The road work that started in June is now finished and the road is open.  We can now go to Detroit Lakes or Fargo without going on the detour.  The vehicles you see all have trailers that have ATV's or UTV's for riding the trails.

The leaves are peak and in some places past peak. 

The trail up to the cemetery.

We accomplished our mission. We met twenty ATV/UTV's along the way enjoying the colorful leaves. 

 Far Side

Tall Meadow Rue

 We went for a Ranger Blue ride in the evening. 

The Tall Meadow Rue is in full bloom along side the road where it is damp.. 

We enjoyed the ride, didn't see any people out and about...a baby rabbit running down the trail and a couple of ducks leaving the river. 

It was a quiet day yesterday. I had a few house projects to do ( we have tile floors and I scrub them section by section...yes on hands and knees twice a year and a steamer other times), Far Guy worked on woodcarvings.   The wildfire smoke wasn't too bad. 

Far Side

Bears and wolves oh my

 We went for a trail ride.  Packed a lunch and spent the afternoon out on the trails.  Saw a bear crossing the road in front of us. 

It was in an area like this...he/she was running pretty fast.  No photo of the bear.  Yes the bear was faster than me and the camera.

Then we took off toward Coleman Lake.  The DNR has snares set in the area for wolf research.  There is a sign warning pet owners. 

We finally made it to Coleman Lake

Two adult swans and two juveniles

No additional bears or wolves were spotted. 

Far Side

A Mission

 We left on a mission with Ranger Blue to deliver a couple of ornaments to my cousin.  

We were not sure how the trails would be...but they were good. 

The Ornaments were delivered.  I still have one for a cranky neighbor...he hates 4 wheelers or anything that is not a car...so we didn't dare drive in his yard.  

The skies were blue and the sunshine warm. 

The river has ice along the edges.    It was good to get out and about. 

Back at home I made Rhubarb - Raspberry Jam.  Trying to clear out the big freezer....it really needs to sit and completely defrost for a few days.  Far Guy did some odds and ends outside....before we knew it...it was dark.

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Trail on Sunday

 We went on a trail ride on Sunday with my brothers.

The woods are still colorful in spots.   My other baby brother knows lots of trails and we even found an outhouse at a trail junction! 

Usually our riding spot is in between them, but on Sunday we were bringing up the rear and I took a couple of photos. 

Today is my other baby brothers birthday...he is 61 today...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!  I was 9 when he was born.   I am blessed with two of the greatest baby brothers!! 

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Trails on Saturday

 On Saturday we decided to go on an adventure.  We wanted to see if we could navigate from our house to my cousins house on the backwoods trails. 

The Popples still have some golden leaves.  Aspen ...Piss Popple ...same thing.

The Tamaracks  (some people call them Larch) are turning golden.

 Yes, we found my cousin's home...he lives just off one of the main trails.  We got caught up on some family news and got to meet one of their band new grandsons...they had two grandsons born just a few weeks apart.   They also saved some Purple Coneflower seeds for us.  

Back at home I have been working on catching up on the Christmas ornaments.  I am back on track again with 54 completed....just about half done! 

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Ranger Blue

 Finally...we ordered a Polaris Ranger UTV (Utility Task Vehicle) March 19.  It was supposed to be here May 15, then June 1, then July 28 - August 10, then August 28 - Sept 10, then Sept 17...it finally arrived at the dealer October 1st. I called my baby brother who has a trailer and we went to get it.  

FINALLY  Ranger Blue has arrived!

We ordered it because we figured it would be real fun to have for the Summer...now Fall but at least we got it before Winter!  Both of my brothers have Rangers they were generous with theirs over the summer so we got to go for a few rides always saying "When we get ours we can explore that trail! "

Many people call them an ATV ( All Terrain Vehicle) or a side by side.   Ours has Air Conditioning and Heat, it is fully enclosed so it won't be horribly dusty for Far Guy.   It has a center display that shows all the trails in the area on a map so we might not get lost.   It has seat belts, mirrors and blinkers so we can drive it on all trails, Township Roads or County Roads.  We can cross State Highways to get to trails or other roads. 

It is a fun ride! 

Two does in the woods and a buck out front.

It should be a great adventure!  

Far Side