After five days of waking up not sick, but still with some sort of allergy or slight head cold, I woke up on Saturday not sick and without some sort of allergy or head cold. There was much rejoicing.
Post Category → Outdoors
30 Miles and 1 Turdus
Today was Day 5 of waking up not sick, but still with some sort of allergy or slight head cold. But since I feel good regardless of the drip, I did that thing where I go walking at pace in the woods with my camera looking for critters. So stupid.
I was intent on getting my 2026 fit and fat lifestyle back on track with a 30 in 5 Days week for only the second time since mid-January, and you know I went ahead and did it. Just barely, at 30.05 miles, but shit got done, and it felt great to be back on track, even if I wasn’t feeling 100%.
I was also intent on not taking any photos of squirrels, but since nothing else was cooperating, I went ahead and took one. And I’m glad I did, ’cause I dig the pic and can’t stop thinking that when a squirrel goes house (tree) hunting, they are looking for a tree with a good perch to eat breakfast on. Sort of like a patio breakfast spot for rodents. I digress.
I also got my first Turd photo (see intro) of the almost-spring, just as I was finishing up. I thought I saw one yesterday, but the trees were dark, and the sky was too grey to get a proper sighting or pic, so it didn’t count. THIS ONE counts. Sadly, whereas the dull grey sky ruined yesterday’s pic, today the bright 9 AM sun and blue sky made for too much harsh light and saturation. I did what I could to make it look a little less “meh,” but in the end, it’s just a good snapshot of a robin.
Not sure what my plan is for the weekend, but I know I need to do something in order to stop being not sick, but still with some sort of allergy or slight head cold. I hear that rest, beer, and endless footy watching are key, so I’ll see what I can do.
I’m also including a close-up photo I took of Lola T. Dog yawning, because I can.
Later.
Floating Heads & Possible Normalcy
Today was Day 4 of waking up not sick, but still with some sort of allergy or slight head cold. I’m kind of used to it now. So, into the woods I went.
Not As Bad As I Thought
Today was Day 3 of waking up not sick, but still with some sort of allergy or head cold. Such is life, and not enough to keep me out of the woods.
Mergansers & Miles
Woke up not sick today, so that was good. I still have something, but after 24+ hours, it remains just a runny nose, so I think it’s mostly like allergies from the billions of wet leaves that cover the ground after the snow melt. Then again, I’m no doctor, but I do have a costume in the bedroom closet for special occasions. In any event, allergy meds are doing the job for now.
A Normal Loop & Some Birds
As with most of 2026, last week was pretty crap for lumbering, with only 3 lumbers and a mere 13.78 miles in my feetz. I was pretty down about it, but there were some signs to be positive about.
Real flowers, sun, and green grass type spring is about 7 or more weeks away for mid-Michigan, but there has been a real uptick in critter activity, and many birds are returning to breed. While 23˚ and 13 MPH winds are not my type of breeding weather (I tend to catch a chill when breeding outdoors), the birds don’t seem to mind, and it really is a sign that the critters are just as ready for spring as I am.
Short Week, Making The Best
As seems to be the case over the past couple of months, the week was not the greatest for lumbering, but I made the most of my three hikes, enjoyed time outside, and played with my camera along the way.
Foiled and Back
As I woke up on Wednesday morning, I could hear light rain striking the windows. “Hmmmm… going to be a wet lumber this morning,” I thought as I climbed out of bed and fart-walked my way to the bathroom.
Soon—or two hours later— I was gearing up and ready to head out. Now the rain was absolutely lashing down, and the sky had nearly returned to complete darkness!
“SHIT!! Oh, fuck it, by the time I get to the trails, it’ll slow down or stop!!”
At Slack’s End
After a few days spent with my slack turned blissfully up to 11, I woke up Monday morning with not one ounce of desire to lumber on what were either going to be extremely slushy trails or extremely icy trails. Either way, I knew I didn’t have the brain power to deal, so I didn’t. Giving up is so easy, I really should get back into the routine.
Fast forward to Tuesday morning…
Fine With Missing Out
Sometimes you miss a goal, and sometimes that is just fine. Such is the case this week. I missed my “normal” weather goal of 30 miles of lumbering in 5 days. I also missed my 20-mile Winter Contingency Act goal, coming in at 18.88 miles in 4 days. But as I said, I’m fine with it.