Category Archives: hiking

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 31, 2026

Posted under

Thoughts, Nature, hiking, religion, Histoy

Comments

Leave a comment

Photographic Thoughts — 05/24/2026 to 05/30/2026

“In photography there are no shadows that cannot be illuminated.” — August Sander

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

Short and sweet this week.

Sunday, 05/24/2026: Posted photo — Pentecost.

As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. — Acts 11:15.

Monday, 05/25/2026: Posted photo — Memorial Day.

The words are from a photo I posted a few weeks ago. I took this photo today during my hike since it is Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is a holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The plaque reads: “10th Mountain Division. In memory of comrades who gave their lives in the Aleutians and Italy in WWII. This elite division of alpine troops spearheaded the victorious fifth army against the mountainous gothic line fortresses and across the PO Valley to shatter the German defenses in Northern Italy. It was their love of mountains, coupled with their dedication to human freedom, that they inspired hundreds of young patriots to join the 10th mountain division. Many returned to their beloved mountain. Those heroes who did not return are still fondly remembered as brave men whose souls rest forever. Sempre Avanti.”

Tuesday, 05/26/2026: Posted photo — Lady Slippers.

Lady slipper orchids are not universally illegal to possess or grow in the US, but it is illegal to pick, dig up, or damage them on federal and state lands. These Lady Slippers are in a protective area on Wachusett Mountain. I look for them every year. Most years I am either too early or too late to find them.

During a hike this week, I came across them and took this photo.

Wednesday, 05/27/2026: Posted photo — Iris.

Irises bloom best in at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. They can tolerate as little as half a day of sun, but it’s not ideal. This iris is at my in-law’s house. Like the photo of the Lady Slippers I took a photo of yesterday, some years I see them, some years I do not.

Thursday, 05/28/2026: Posted photo — Flowing Water.

We have had periods of heavy rain this week leading to the streams on the mountain flowing quickly. It is wonderful hearing the streams flowing in the distance as I hike.

This photo was taking from one of the bridges on the mountain that straddle the streams.

Friday, 05/29/2026: Post photo — Old Gardner Courthouse.

The courthouse and police station were dedicated on May 1, 1929. The courthouse and police station were moved to the new facility in 1988. The Gardner Youth Commission took charge of the building and from 1988 to 1989, dances and other activities were held there. Once the dances were discontinued, the building remained vacant for several years. A decision was made in 1996 to turn it into the City Hall Annex building. The annex officially opened on April 5, 2006.

Saturday, 05/30/2026: Post photo — Ajuga.

Ajuga, also known as bugleweed, ground pine, carpet bugle, or just bugle.

Bugleweed is a low-maintenance ground cover that is used to cover large areas of land. The small, rounded foliage comes in a range of colors and patterns, with showy flower spikes that appear in spring attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and other insect pollinators.

The subject of this week’s photo project is “On the Ground”. I took this photo as if I was on the ground looking up at it.

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

“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

.–. …. — – —  -… -.–  .— — … . .–. ….  -.-. .. .-. .- …

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 17, 2026

Posted under

hiking, Nature, Photography, Thoughts

Comments

Leave a comment

Photographic Thoughts — 05/10/2026 to 05/16/2026

“Only photograph what you love.” — Tim Walker

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

Sunday, 05/10/2026: Posted photo — Mother’s Day.

Happy Mother’s Day!

This is my family back in 1967 with the arrival of my youngest brother. We welcome him to the family with wonder. From left to right: son number 3, son number 4, son number 5.2, son number 6, our mother, son number 5.1 (me), son number 2 and son number 1.

This is one of my favorite photos of the family. Our mother is not here in body but is always here in spirit.

Monday, 05/11/2026: Posted photo — Azalea.

Azaleas represent femininity, fragility, elegance, and, in Victorian flower language, a message to “take care of yourself”.

Tuesday, 05/12/2026: Posted photo — Hobblebush.

Hobblebushes are native, shade-tolerant shrubs found in cool, moist forests across eastern North America, known for its sprawling, horizontal branches that root at the tips and “hobble” (trip) hikers. Called “hobblebush” because its branches often grow along the ground, arch up, and root again, creating “wickets” that trip people (“tangle-legs”).

The berries on a hobblebush are edible. I have never tried to eat the berries off the hobblebush. Maybe I would try them if I was lost and hungry enough to do so. When berries are on the hobblebushes on the mountain, I will post photos.

Wednesday, 05/13/2026: Posted photo — Lilac.

Lilacs generally symbolize renewal, confidence, and the innocence of early love, often signaling the arrival of spring.

A few years back, we transferred our lilac tree from a friend’s house when she was moving. Last year it did not do well, this year it is doing much better. We had a lilac bush in our yard when I was growing up. It was a great place to hide in.

Thursday, 05/14/2026: Posted photo — Birch Seeds.

Birch tree seeds are small, lightweight nutlets produced in cylindrical clusters called strobiles (catkins) that break apart. A single large birch tree can produce up to 1 million seeds per year, featuring tiny wings that allow them to be carried long distances by the wind.

Friday, 05/15/2026: Post photo — Dipadenia.

Dipladenia is a genus of tropical, woody, shrub-like vines known for glossy leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers, commonly in pink, red, or white.

Saturday, 05/16/2026: Post photo — Canadian Geese.

The Canada goose is a large species of goose with a black head and neck, white cheeks, white under its chin, and a brown body. Canada geese primarily pose health hazards through bacterial and parasitic contamination from their droppings (feces) and through physical aggression during nesting season. While the risk to healthy adults is generally low, their feces can severely impact water quality and vulnerable populations.

There have been efforts to deter the geese from field and docks because of the heath hazard. The health hazard is both because of the harmful bacteria and because their feces is very slippery and a fall hazard is present.

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

“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

.–. …. — – —  -… -.–  .— — … . .–. ….  -.-. .. .-. .- …

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 3, 2026

Posted under

Friendship, hiking, Histoy, Inspiration, memorial, Nature, Photography, religion, Thoughts

Comments

3 Comments

Photographic Thoughts — 04/26/2026 to 05/02/2026

“You can look at a picture for a week and never think of it again. You can also look at a picture for a second and think of it all your life.” — Joan Miro

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

Sunday, 04/26/2026: Posted photo — Music.

Singing in Church is an essential form of prayer, praise, and active participation in the Mass. St. Augustine once said that singing is “Double” Prayer. This phrase highlights that singing adds an emotional and spiritual depth to prayer that spoken words alone might not.

I stay up in the choir loft with my family, my mother-in-law, and other friends. I sing softly since I do not have a great voice.

Monday, 04/27/2026: Posted photo — Monument.

The plaque reads: “10th Mountain Division. In memory of comrades who gave their lives in the Aleutians and Italy in WWII. This elite division of alpine troops spearheaded the victorious fifth army against the mountainous gothic line fortresses and across the PO Valley to shatter the German defenses in Northern Italy. It was their love of mountains, coupled with their dedication to human freedom, that they inspired hundreds of young patriots to join the 10th mountain division. Many returned to their beloved mountain. Those heroes who did not return are still fondly remembered as brave men whose souls rest forever. Sempre Avanti.”

This plaque is near the summit of Wachusett Mountain and was installed in 1975.

Tuesday, 04/28/2026: Posted photo — Vote.

Many people complain about this administration and the past administration. They only vote every four years, or do not vote at all. I say if you do not vote in your local elections then you have no grounds for complaining about federal elections. Voting is your voice. Article 1 of the Constitution gives us the right to vote. This gave states the responsibility of overseeing federal elections. Many constitutional amendments and federal laws protecting voting rights have been passed since then.

The only people that do not want people to vote are those who either did not read the Constitution or are attempting to silence the people. This opinion is not just mine. I have heard this from Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and others from all sides of the aisle.

Voting is your right. Please vote every chance you have to do so.

Wednesday, 04/29/2026: Posted photo — Bleeding Hearts.

Bleeding Hearts symbolize romantic love, heartbreak, and passion. It is frequently used in shaded garden borders, woodland gardens, and cut floral designs. There is a four-to-six-week period in which bleeding hearts grow. For many years, I have seen these bleeding hearts grow and by the time I get back to them to photograph, they are past.

Thursday, 04/30/2026: Posted photo — Stone Wall.

A closeup photo of a stone wall. Field stone walls are traditional, durable structures built from natural, weathered stones (often New England fieldstone) that are either dry-laid or mortared, offering a rustic, earthy look. Stone walls found in woodlands are primarily relics of 18th to 19th-century European agriculture, built to delineate property, manage livestock, or dispose of rocks cleared from fields.

Friday, 05/01/2026: Post photo — Stay on the Trail.

One of the many trails on Wachusett. This sign is on one of the steeper trails on the mountain. As you can see, the trail drops off shortly after this sign. This section has a 17° grade, which is categorized as a steep grade.

This is the middle section of Jack Frost Trail. This is one of my favorite sections of trail in the winter. Because of its steepness and location of the slope, there is plenty of opportunity to practice my winter skills.

Saturday, 05/02/2026: Post photo — First Moon Photo.

This is the first moon photo I took with my new camera. I kept playing with the setting. The settings kept jumping around on their own when I was adjusting in manual mode.

There is much to learn about this camera.

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

“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

.–. …. — – —  -… -.–  .— — … . .–. ….  -.-. .. .-. .- …

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

April 26, 2026

Posted under

hiking, Inspiration, Nature, Photography, religion, Thoughts

Comments

Leave a comment

Photographic Thoughts — 04/19/2026 to 04/25/2026

“When people ask me what equipment I use – I tell them my eyes.” — Anonymous

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

Sunday, 04/19/2026: Posted photo — Gospel Cover.

The Gospel Cover at our church. This is made of heavy metallic material to protect the book.

Monday, 04/20/2026: Posted photo — Rain.

Rain is one of nature’s beauties. I just like looking out in the distance to see rain.

In this case, I was at the summit of the mountain with a group and saw the rain heading our way. It originally was heading north of our location and then it started to come towards us. I notified others in the group, and we decided to head back down the mountain before the rain.

It did not rain on us.

Tuesday, 04/21/2026: Posted photo — Trail Junction.

“You are here.” This is one of the trail junctions on Wachusett Mountain. There is a total of 67 trail junctions on the mountain. These junctions include all road crossings and trails that the weekend hikers will not use due to their location. One summer I determined all the GPS locations and elevations at these trail junctions. I also have all the bearings of the trails that join at each junction. I use this information when I teach my map and compass (navigation) classes.

Wednesday, 04/22/2026: Posted photo — Developing Leaves.

This is one of our sugar maples trees further along in this season’s growth. I like the details in the baby leaves as they start to grow into adult leaves.

Thursday, 04/23/2026: Posted photo — Ansel Adams Look.

Last week I posted a photo titled “Chaos in Nature”. That had me thinking about Ansel Adams and how he takes black and white photos of nature. I do not know if this is of his quality, but I attempted to duplicate his style this week.

Friday, 04/24/2026: Post photo — Flag.

The United States Flag against the clear blue sky.

Saturday, 04/25/2026: Post photo — Cube.

Many of you know this at a Rubik cube. Ernő Rubik, a Hungarian architecture professor, created a prototype of a three-dimensional cube in 1974. Today most, if not all, the fastest solvers in the world do not use a Rubik brand cube. I solved my first cube in 1980 when the cube was first available to the public. My best time back then was about 2.5 minutes. The first world record was 22.95 seconds.

I started competing in 2025 because our son was organizing a competition at the school where he works. I have only 39 competitive solves under my belt. Before today’s competition, I am ranked 267,814 in the world for the 3x3x3 cube; 177,872 in the world for the 2x2x2 cube; and 117,962 in the world in Pyraminx, a pyramid shaped puzzle.

Today I finished in 75 of 77 in the 3x3x3 event with a personal best single time of 1:17:82 and personal best average of 1:37.71, 64 of 65 in the 2x2x2 event with a personal best average of 21.62, and 41 of 44 in Pyramix with a personal best average of 15.22 seconds. Not bad times for someone who just dug his cubes out of storage last night and has not solved for many months.

To put these times in perspective, the current world record for the 3x3x3 is 2.76 seconds, for the 2x2x2 it is 0.39 seconds, and for the Pyramix it is 0.73 seconds.

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

“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

.–. …. — – —  -… -.–  .— — … . .–. ….  -.-. .. .-. .- …

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

April 19, 2026

Posted under

hiking, Inspiration, Nature, Photography, religion, Thoughts

Comments

3 Comments

Photographic Thoughts — 04/12/2026 to 04/18/2026

“Today everything exists to end in a photograph.” — Susan Sontag

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

Short and sweet this week. I wrote my comments later in the week, so I did an executive summary of the reason behind each photo.

Sunday, 04/12/2026: Posted photo — Altar.

When I was setting up the numbers today, the light was reflecting off the chalices. I had my phone with me and took this photo. I like the simplicity of this photo.

Monday, 04/13/2026: Posted photo — Hiker.

This hiker allowed me to take his photo tonight. I need a photo of a stranger for my photo project. As I say many times, I take a photo early in the week of the topic for the week just in case I do not have the opportunity to do so later in the week.

Tuesday, 04/14/2026: Posted photo — Fire Tower.

This is the new fire tower on Wachusett Mountain. It was built in 2014 and replaced the tower that was built in 1966. I did have the opportunity to go up into the tower. It is only opened once a year to the public.

Wednesday, 04/15/2026: Posted photo — Crocus.

The crocus that I showed you last week has opened. Here is a photo.

Thursday, 04/16/2026: Posted photo — Sunset.

Another summit, another sunset.

Friday, 04/17/2026: Post photo — Chaos in Nature.

I took this photo attempting to get a photo of the sun through the trees near the summit. Looking at it, it is chaos. I did not delete this photo since it shows that nature is not always the beautiful scenes most of us are used to seeing. Nature is sometime very chaotic. There is beauty in chaos.

Saturday, 04/18/2026: Post photo — Round Meadow Pond.

This is one of the first photos I have taken with my new camera. I purchased an entry level mirrorless camera, a Canon EOS R50. I need to get used to the camera. It is much smaller and lighter than my 60D and does not have all the features. I have a lens adapter since the lens mount is different. After 14 years with one camera, I need to start learning photography again.

This photo was taken with the stock lens.

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

“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

.–. …. — – —  -… -.–  .— — … . .–. ….  -.-. .. .-. .- …

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

April 11, 2026

Posted under

hiking, Histoy, memorial, Nature, Photography, religion, Thoughts

Comments

Leave a comment

Photographic Thoughts — 04/05/2026 to 04/11/2026

“A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know.” — Diane Arbus

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

Sunday, 04/05/2026: Posted photo — Easter Sunday.

Today is the holiest day of the year. This is the day that Jesus rose from the dead symbolizing victory over death and sin. Jesus did this for us all. His message was peace and justice for all. He condoled violence and those who used violence. He could have used violence by calling his angles to rescue Him and choose not to do so. Matthew 26:53.

Monday, 04/06/2026: Posted photo — Flowing Stream.

The weather has been up into the low 70’s F and down to the low 30’s F over the last few days. This has led to some of the streams on Wachusett Mountain flowing again. The flow of the streams were not as fast as earlier in the year when we had the initial snow melt.

We were waiting at one of trail junctions tonight and I looked at the stream a few feet away to see how fast it was flowing. It was flowing enough for me to take this photo. As with many of my photos, I am not crazy about it. It does keep my photo a day streak alive.

Tuesday, 04/07/2026: Posted photo — Snow.

We had some snow this morning. Just dusting and the snow did not last long on the ground. It is predicted that we might receive another dusting of snow tomorrow as well. As I noted yesterday, the temperature is fluctuating as much as 30 deg F from one day to another.

My weather app over the last few days told me that tomorrow will be 34 deg F cooler tomorrow than today on day and then that tomorrow’s temperature will be 25 deg F warmer than today.

Wednesday, 04/08/2026: Posted photo — Wind Power.

Here are some facts about the wind turbine:

  • Each Tower height is 215 feet (or 65 meters) above ground level.
  • Length of each blade is approximately 125 feet (or 37.5 meters), and each blade weighs 6 tons.
  • The turbine speed is 17-20 RPMs.
  • The maximum blade tip speed is approximately 204 MPH.
  • The minimum wind speed to produce maximum rated power output is 27 MPH (or 12 meters per second).
  • The Cutout Wind Speed or wind speed too great for a turbine is 45 MPH (or 20 meters per second).
  • The Survival Wind Speed is 133 MPH (or 59.5 meters per second).

There was a discussion about the wind turbines during the hike on Monday night. I decided to go back and get a photo of the wind turbines and post some facts about them.

Thursday, 04/09/2026: Posted photo — Tomatoes.

The topic of the week in my 52 week photo project is red. There are many red items to photograph. I have seen a few red Suns during my hikes this week, but I only had my cellphone with me. Cellphone photos are not the greatest. I did not bring my DSLR since it is not working properly.

I took this photo of tomatoes as a fill photo just in case I do not see anything else red that is photo worthy. In front of me now is my red tool bag, red handled scissors, a red marking machine, a red pen, and someone in a red shirt.

Friday, 04/10/2026: Post photo — Stained Glass.

I just love a stained-glass window. They are great colors and stories behind each one of them. They are not always in churches. Many people have stained-glass windows in their house, not as detailed as the one in this photo, but have interesting decorations.

Stained glass was created primarily to educate an illiterate medieval population, enhance religious spaces, and filter light into cathedrals, serving as a “poor man’s Bible”.

Saturday, 04/11/2026: Post photo — Sugar Maple Bud.

The sugar maple trees in our yard are starting to bud. These are the same trees that our neighbor was tapping over the last few weeks.

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

“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

.–. …. — – —  -… -.–  .— — … . .–. ….  -.-. .. .-. .- …

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

April 5, 2026

Posted under

Friendship, hiking, Histoy, Inspiration, Nature, Photography, religion, Thoughts

Comments

Leave a comment

Photographic Thoughts — 03/29/2026 to 04/04/2026

“A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know.” — Diane Arbus

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

Sunday, 03/29/2026: Posted photo — Psalm Sunday.

Palm Sunday serves as a day of reflection on Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This is the first day of Holy Week. Holy Week starts with the triumphant entry and leads to the Easter Triduum: Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday, of the Lord’s Passion and ends with the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord. Good Friday is the only day of the year that a Mass does not happen, just a service.

Jesus died for all of us, not just a selected few. Jesus is a person of equality and peace for all. Some people forget this.

Monday, 03/30/2026: Posted photo — Bat House.

From https://www.mass.gov/guides/bat-houses: “Bat houses are particularly helpful in providing alternative roosting habitat for bats that are excluded from homes. In turn, this reduces the chance of human contact with bats. Installing a bat house can provide a safe environment for bats, while protecting your yard from pest insects, like mosquitoes, moths, and beetles. Bat houses give females a safe, warm place to raise their young. Since most female bats only have one pup each year, bat populations grow very slowly. Additionally, due to habitat loss and degradation, it is becoming harder for bats to locate natural roost sites to raise their young. By installing a bat house, you can provide mothers and their pups with a safe home.”

This bat house is at one of the trailheads on Wachusett Mountain.

Tuesday, 03/31/2026: Posted photo — Gold Nugget.

The gold nugget mandarin is often considered one of the best-tasting mandarins in the world. They are only available during the months of February to May.

Wednesday, 04/01/2026: Posted photo — Mushrooms.

A mushroom on some wood in our yard. I need to move this wood to the cottage to burn during the summer. It is taking up too much room in our yard.

Thursday, 04/02/2026: Posted photo — Sunset.

A wonderful sunset from the summit of Wachusett Mountain. I need to start taking up my DSLR to get better photos.

I am in the process of upgrading my camera. I purchased it over 12 years ago and is showing its age.

Friday, 04/03/2026: Post photo — Lost Hat.

Someone lost a hat during a hike. I put it on this signpost, just in case the person is looking for it. This is what is typically done if you find a piece of clothing on the tail, put it on a tree branch, or some other high location, so that the owner can find it.

Saturday, 04/04/2026: Post photo — New Growth.

Some croci starting to bloom in our yard. There is new growth starting all over the area. We grow a little later in this area since we are further north and the snow cover last longer.

I am amazed sometimes when I drive into Worcester and see how much further the blooms on the trees are from my house.

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

“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

.–. …. — – —  -… -.–  .— — … . .–. ….  -.-. .. .-. .- …

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

March 29, 2026

Posted under

hiking, Nature, Photography, religion, Thoughts

Comments

2 Comments

Photographic Thoughts — 03/22/2026 to 03/28/2026

“There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.” — Ansel Adams

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

Sunday, 03/22/2026: Posted photo — Fifth Sunday of Lent.

The fifth Sunday of Lent is the last Sunday before Holy Week. The display shows a cross with empty bottles. The difference between a crass and a crucifix is that a crucifix features a body of Jesus on the cross, symbolizing his sacrifice and suffering, while a cross is empty, representing the risen Christ and victory over death.

Monday, 03/23/2026: Posted photo — Stained Glass Design.

This is a photo of grapes on a stained glass window. Grapes primarily represent abundance, blessing, God’s provision, and the prosperity of the Promised Land.

Tuesday, 03/24/2026: Posted photo — Rime Ice on a Fence.

Rime ice is a white, opaque, granular ice deposit formed when supercooled water droplets in freezing fog or clouds instantly freeze upon contact with surfaces, typically on the windward side. This rime ice was on the summit of Wachusett Mountain. It was a cool and snowy hike. The snow was more of a misty type of snow. Some accumulation, but mostly a dusting of snow making it difficult to see the ice on some of the trails. It was cold enough to form rime ice on the trees and on the fire watch tower.

Wednesday, 03/25/2026: Posted photo — Hanging off my Pack.

Here are some items that are hanging off my pack while hiking in the winter. I have my two-way emergency beacon, ranger beads to help me with my pace count, my first aid kit, sleeping pad for resting and first aid, a pair of microspikes in case there was ice on the trail, my water bottle holder, and one of my AMC Volunteer Leader patches. The patch has the newest AMC logo on it. I have older patches that I wear when I am leading an AMC hike. I do not want to lose these patches, since I like them the best.

Thursday, 03/26/2026: Posted photo — Snow of Stone Wall.

A dusting of snow this week, along with cooler temperatures, have left some snow on some of the stone walls in the area. New England stone walls are historic structures—totaling an estimated 100,000 miles of surviving, mostly 19th-century, walls—built primarily to clear glacial rocks from farm fields, define boundaries, and control livestock. You see them in the woods because they show the outlines of abandoned fields.

Friday, 03/27/2026: Post photo — Uphill Battle.

This is one of the steeper locations on Wachusett Mountain. This has a 17% grade.

The following table illustrates the relationship between grade percentage, incline angle, and steepness description.

Slope DescriptionGrade (%)Angle (Degrees)Typical Features
Flat/Level0%0°Plains, floor levels
Gently Sloping1–5%~0.5°–3°Rolling hills, mild terrain
Moderate5–15%~3°–8.5°Steep roads, moderate hills
Steep15–30%~8.5°–17°Mountainous trails, steep hills
Very Steep30–60%~17°–31°Extreme terrain, cliffs
Extremely Steep60%+>31°Dangerous cliffs, mountain faces
Vertical100%90°Cliff face

Saturday, 03/28/2026: Post photo — Full Moon.

I came across this photo during a search this week. This is one of my favorite photos of the moon so I am sharing it with you.

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

“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

.–. …. — – —  -… -.–  .— — … . .–. ….  -.-. .. .-. .- …

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

March 15, 2026

Posted under

hiking, Inspiration, Nature, Photography, religion, Thoughts, water

Comments

2 Comments

Photographic Thoughts — 03/08/2026 to 03/14/2026

“Essentially what photography is life lit up.” — Sam Abell

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

Sunday, 03/08/2026: Posted photo — Votive Candle.

A little candle in a church, often called a “votive candle”, represents a personal prayer, offering, or intention, allowing a worshiper’s devotion to continue even after they leave. These candles are in a frame that is dedicated to a friend and his wife who have passed. He passed from ASL and she passed from cancer.

Monday, 03/09/2026: Posted photo — Post Hole.

Here is an example of the use of snowshoes vs not using snowshoes. This is from tonight’s hike. I used my snowshoes and others did not. I put my snowshoes next to their post hole to show the difference.

Tuesday, 03/10/2026: Posted photo — Collecting Sap.

The best weather to collect sap is a “freeze-thaw” cycle in late winter/early spring, characterized by nighttime temperatures below freezing and daytime temperatures rising to around 40–45 degrees F (4–7 degrees C). Stop collecting sap when tree buds appear, temperatures remain above freezing at night, or the sap turns yellow/cloudy.

Wednesday, 03/11/2026: Posted photo — Water under the Bridge.

“Water under the bridge” is a phrase used to say that something happened in the past and is no longer important or worth arguing about. Even though I am not very old, I am at a stage where I do not get stressed out with life. I have had a few experiences in my life that I could not control, (loss of a child, loss of a sibling, loss of loved ones, loss of close relatives and friends), that just have me going with the flow, or saying that is just water under the bridge.

Thursday, 03/12/2026: Posted photo — Sunset Afterglow.

I did not make it to the summit for sunset. This was the first night in a few months that I saw the afterglow of the sunset. I did not think I would get a good photo and my intuition was correct. I feel that this photo is too dark. I attempted to edit it, with no luck.

Friday, 03/13/2026: Post photo — Flowing Stream.

The temperatures this week so far had a high of 73 degrees F and a low of 29 degrees F. This was taken during one of the warm days this week. The streams on the mountain were running fast.

Hiking was not easy this week with the rapidly changing conditions. It started out this week where snowshoes were needed. Then the hiking was slow due to muddy trails. Now at the end of the week, we have much cooler temperatures and the muddy areas are starting to freeze. Snowshoes Monday and Tuesday, mud boots Wednesday and Thursday, and bear boot today. Will bear boot tomorrow with my microspike on my pack, just in case I need to use them.

Saturday, 03/14/2026: Post photo — Icefall.

I do not know if this is technically an icefall, but that is what I am calling it.

When on a hike this afternoon with a family friend to stretch out my legs on this wonderful and sunny day. The weather today sums up the weather for this week. It started to be sunny, then the clouds came in and we had a snow squall. Then it was sunny and warm and then the temperature dropped when I was on the trail. The trail conditions were tough. I bear booted and used my spikes. I could have used my snowshoes in spots, but they were so short that it would have been longer to put on and take off my snowshoes as it would have been just walk in that section of snow with my spikes. The ice was hard is some steeper slopes and my spikes did not grip the snow well. I had to be very careful and take it very slowly in those locations.

Now it is time to look at my microspikes to see if they need sharpening. I did use my “rock” spikes, so the odds are great that they do need to be sharpened.

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

“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

.–. …. — – —  -… -.–  .— — … . .–. ….  -.-. .. .-. .- …

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

March 8, 2026

Posted under

eclipse, hiking, Inspiration, Nature, Photography, Thoughts

Comments

2 Comments

Photographic Thoughts — 03/01/2026 to 03/07/2026

“Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field.” — Peter Adams

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

Sunday, 03/01/2026: Posted photo — Stain Glass Window.

Last week, the photo challenge was window light. The challenge ends on Sunday so I can take my photo for the challenge and post my first photo for the week. The plan was to take a photo of sunshine coming through the window. This did not happen since it was snowing.

For this photo, I took the shot straight onto the window to attempt to capture as much light as possible. I had to lighten up the wall in post processing because the light that came through the window darkened the wall. The cellphone camera was metered on the window.

Monday, 03/02/2026: Posted photo — Snowshoes.

For tonight’s hike, I just used snowshoes. I may have gotten away with just microspikes, but there reports of many “post holes” on the trail. I will explain what a “post hole” is on Wednesday. I will be getting out of bed early tomorrow to see the lunar eclipse so I will not hike tomorrow night.

I was glad that I did have my snowshoes on since there were may “post holes” that I hiked over. It also helped when I stepped off the trail to let hikers ascend, I did not sink up to my knees in the snow. One of the rules of hiking is that people ascending have the right of way over the descending hikers.

Tuesday, 03/03/2026: Posted photo — Total Lunar Eclipse.

Today’s lunar eclipse was part of a selenelion. A selenelion is a rare astronomical event because both the totally eclipsed moon and the sunrise are visible on the horizon at the same time.

A lunar eclipse is also called a blood moon since the moon turns red. We did not see that this morning since it was sunrise and the moon was washed out. I have a difficult time focusing in on the moon as it was getting closer to totality, so instead of using my “moon” lens, I had to use my 300mm lens. Light is refracted around the Earth giving the moon an orange-red color. This is the same phenomenon that happens during sunrises and sunsets.

Here are a couple of bonus photos from the eclipse. One was taken about 45 minutes from totality and one was taken at totality before the moon disappeared.

As a side note, after the clear morning sky for the eclipse, we received a few inches of fresh snow.

Wednesday, 03/04/2026: Posted photo — Post Holing.

Post holing is sinking knee- or waist-deep into soft snow with each step, leaving behind deep, post-like holes. It occurs when snow is not firm enough to support a hiker’s weight. It usually occurs in softer snow in warmer weather, or off the packed trail.

Post holing could be very dangerous. It could lead to a spruce trap of another dangerous situation, such as stepping into a river or off a concealed hole. A spruce trap, or tree well, is a dangerous, hidden void in deep snow surrounding the base of an evergreen tree. There were two ladies that were caught is a spruce trap overnight last winter on Mount Washington, and survived due to the training they received going on AMC hikes.

I was once hiking on Mount Rainier in Washington State. I hiked the trail at a different time a few years before and geotagged a waterfall I wanted to take a photo of during the winter. When I went back to take this photo, my geotag told me I was in the correct location, but I could not find the waterfall. Going back to a mapping program, I discovered that I was on top of the waterfall. If I posted holed, I could of fell off the waterfall and under the snow. That would not have been good for me.

Thursday, 03/05/2026: Posted photo — Sparkle off Trees.

This is my attempt to capture the sun reflecting off ice covered trees. We had freezing rain recently and the trees are covered in ice. There was a quick melt today, so I wanted to capture the sparkle before it all melted away.

This photo does not give you the full effect of what I saw real-time. Photographs normally do not do nature justice.

Friday, 03/06/2026: Post photo — Small Icicles.

Here is a photo of some icicles before they melted away. Sorry about the short commentary today.

Saturday, 03/07/2026: Post photo — Sundog.

I was out on a walk and saw this sundog. It is not the most brilliant one that I have seen. As with other photos that I have taken, something was calling me to take a photo of it.

A sundog is an atmospheric phenomenon appearing as bright, sometimes colored, spots of light on either side of the sun. A sundog is caused by sunlight refracting through ice crystals in cirrus clouds. A sundog will appear at approximately 22° from the sun. Based on the physics of light passing through prisms, the minimum deviation, or bending, of light occurs at roughly 22 degrees. Sundogs are most common in winter, near the horizon, even though I have seen them during the summer after storms. Sundogs are also known as mock suns, or parhelia, which means “with the sun”.

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

“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

.–. …. — – —  -… -.–  .— — … . .–. ….  -.-. .. .-. .- …