“A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.” — Edward Steichen

Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.

Sunday, 10/15/2023: Posted photo — Chopping Maul.

I went out to chop some wood this afternoon and used both my axe and my maul. This is a photo of my maul. When I was chopping the wood, I had the idea for today’s photo. I wanted to let people know the difference between an axe and a maul.

An axe and maul are primarily distinguished by the fact that an axe is lightweight, has a sharper cutting edge, and has a shorter handle. A maul’s blunt, hammer-like edge is used alone or in conjunction with a wedge to pry open wood that has been cut. Sometimes I use a wedge with my axe. Using the axe with the maul is better since the maul has a better splitting action. If I need to wedge with the maul, I will hit it with the axe.

I do have a hydraulic log splitter. I have not used it in a few years since the gas line needs to be repaired and I have not had a good opportunity to fix it. I may have to bring it to a repair shop. Some of the wood that I am splitting have knots, and it is not easy to use a maul or an axe to split wood that has knots.

Monday, 10/16/2023: Posted photo — West Side Trailhead.

Tonight, for my hike, I decided to lead the group up a different trail. We have been using the same trailhead for weeks now and I wanted to mix it up a little. The West Side Trail is on what I call the back of the mountain. It is away from where most people hike. There is a rock scramble not to far in from the trailhead. It was a little more difficult to go up today since it was wet from the rain that fell earlier in the day. I decide to do a loop on the way down the mountain to avoid this section of the trail. Rain, wet leaves, and wet rocks are a safety hazard at night.

Tuesday, 10/17/2023: Posted photo — Flowers.

I have posted in the past the meaning of color in flowers. It has been a while so here is a reminder.

Red flowers: associated with feelings of true love and passion, they can also be used to convey respect, desire, and courage.
Yellow flowers: are associated with spreading happiness and joy. They can also symbolize friendship.
Pink flowers: are also a symbol of love, though they can also mean happiness, gentleness, and femininity.
Orange flowers: are known to symbolize feelings of excitement and enthusiasm.
White flowers: range in meaning from purity and innocence to sympathy.
Blue flowers: are said to symbolize tranquility and peace.
Purple flowers: symbolize success and even royalty, although feelings of admiration and tradition may also come through in purple flowers.
Lavender flowers: typically symbolize grace, elegance, and youth.
Green flowers: are associated with rebirth and renewal. Additionally, green can also symbolize good health, good fortune, and youthfulness.

Wednesday, 10/18/2023: Posted photo — Direction.

What direction am I going? How do I get from point A to point B? To answer these questions, I use a compass with a map. Many people, including very experienced hikers, do not know how to use a map and compass. The setup for this photo is the map of an orienteering course in my area that I have used for training.

I will be teaching a basic navigation class in a couple of weeks at Wachusett Mountain. After the class, I will test the student’s skills on a hike. We will plan out the hike during the course and then use it on the trail. There will be a few obstacles and a field test along the way. In the spring, I will be teaching an advanced navigational course using the orienteering course.

Here are the 10 Essentials.

1. Navigation: Map, compass, and GPS system
2. Sun Protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen, and hat
3. Insulation: Jacket, hat, gloves, and rain shell
4. Illumination: Flashlight, lanterns, and headlamp
5. First-aid supplies: First aid kit
6. Fire: Matches, lighter, and fire starters
7. Repair Kit & Tools: Duct tape, knife, and scissors
8. Nutrition: Extra food
9. Hydration: Water and water treatment supplies
10. Emergency Shelter: tent and tarp

Having these items with you will keep you prepared. Knowing how to use them could save your life.

Thursday, 10/19/2023: Posted photo — Close to Peak.

The foliage is getting close to peak in this area. I attempted to get a photo with the sun on the leaves, but it was not out very long today. Peak season means the time when most leaf have changed color.

Leaves can change their color from as early as mid-September all the way through early November. Typically, the second and third week of October are the peak times, but it shifts depending on where you live and your local weather conditions.

• Foliage starts to change in the northern-tier states out West and in the Midwest by late September. By October 4, the leaves in some areas will be past their prime.
• Much of New England as well as the Pacific Northwest, will be at or near peak fall color by October 11.
• A little further south in the Blue Ridge Mountains, mid-October is when the leaves are near or at peak.

Friday, 10/20/2023: Post photo — Mushroom of a Stump.

Since June we have had about 65 days of rain. It is raining today. With all the rain comes fungus in the form of mushrooms. Even though I hike, I do not like mushrooms, and I cannot tell you the edible types versus the non-edible types.

Some good rules apply for avoiding poisonous mushrooms if you are a novice that I found online:

1. Avoid mushrooms with white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem and a bulbous or sack like base called a volva. You may be missing out on some good edible fungi, but it means you will be avoiding the deadly members of the Amanita family.
2. Avoid mushrooms with red on the cap or stem. Again, you will be missing out on some good mushrooms but more importantly you won’t be picking poisonous ones.
3. Finally, don’t consume any mushrooms unless you are 100% sure of what they are.

Saturday, 10/21/2023: Post photo — Nature’s Elements.

Here is a photo I took today in the Leominster State Forest. I have posted photos of this lonely tree in the past. This photo shows the foliage, rain, and fog. This is how most of our summer and fall has gone so far, very wet this year.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.