moving forward

Hello, hellooo! Long time no type. No particular reason, other than I keep trying to re-word draft posts. As a re-reader, re-wording is time consuming. Do you re-read/re-word/re-write your posts ~ or ~ do you easily share whatever is on your mind? I also do this with emails and other written words. Yes, I am an over-thinker to the 'enth degree. The struggle is real. I keep running out of time. The next time I sit down, time itself has changed everything. Hmmmm...

Some have mastered the preferred art of scheduled posting. Connie from Far Side of Fifty has posted every single day for longer than I can remember. Marie from Island Musings posts every Monday, sharing her unique scenic views. I am impressed by the quality and consistency of these blogs, as well as others. 

My aforementioned stuck post/s would bridge my long a@@ absence on here. IF I could re-word the parts that don't sit well (enough) for me to share, before I get up and do XYZ. To add to my debacle, the process of adding related photos to a blog post stops me in my tracks every single time. More so during the latter part of 2024. Nothing to do with the actual processing of photos. That is a different computer related endless sitting dilemma. One of the main reasons I have hardly been taking any photos with my camera. Why take more photos, if I am not going to do anything with them. It doesn't make sense to add to a mega amount of unseen photos. Although when I do get around to them, it is fun to see old photos. So there is that.

From all the above, to moving forward. Smiley face, smiley face. My unpublished posts shall remain unread and unseen photos shall remain unprocessed. For now. Most likely forever. Repeat after me "I will not be attached to a screen for endless hours!!!".

~~~~~

I am happy to share that life here on Hidden Cactus Ranch is and has been good. I am spoiled beyond measure and endlessly grateful for every ounce of joy. I will end this weirdly wordy re-read/written post with one of our biggest joys. Hope.

During a stretch of frigid weather (with minus double digit wind chill) our horses were briefly turned out each day. We cleaned stalls while they got a change of scenery and breath of mind numbing brisky fresh air. Everyone was more than willing to come back inside.

Hope would like everyone to know she does not like the cold. Her expressions are so funny!

Nemo & Hope have been hanging around together

1/20/25

Later the same day during evening chore indoor leg stretching, a monster was spotted.

(43 secs)

arena silliness, even after Brad entered
(30 secs)

Cierra, Hope and Nemo join up often
1/24/25

Hope is very sociable and frequently leaves the herd to join us on walks

(with Remi, Tank and Jameson) 1/27/25

end of the pasture path

Cierra was concerned (on top of the hill) she is still a worried mama.

1/27/25

thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!!

May your day be peaceful and filled with warm memories.

I am thankful for your friendship.

 

fall vacation hike

Truth be told I am not much of a tourist. I prefer not dealing with crowds of people making poor decisions. If you want to see an area where every single thing you look at is photo worthy, you have to take your turn and put up with others doing the same. Those we exchanged pleasantries with were very nice, especially the local people from Munising.

To get away from other tourists, take a hike. It was the first thing we did on our full day in MI, after stopping at the visitor center to get a park pass. Everyone else went to the right to see Munising Falls, a short distance away. We headed left into the woods. 

We decided to hike the North Country Trail to Sandy Point. There was a lookout on the sightseeing map that looked so pretty. We passed a few hikers that were heading out of the woods. Otherwise, it was just us walking among gorgeous trees. For almost 6 miles, roundtrip. Which is ALOT longer than we usually hike.

10/10/24

The endless trail was covered with tree roots, small rocks, elevation and some streams. When I mean endless, I mean endless! The North Country National Scenic Trail in MI is 1,180 miles long. It also goes across the Northeast corner of WI for 220 miles. What a cool life accomplishment it would be to hike the entire thing! Only in my dreams. The tiny part we hiked weaved along Pictured Rock shoreline, high above on the bluffs. It was a workout!!

there were a lot of streams

occasional trail markers

stop don't drop

There was nothing to do but laugh when we reached a trail marker with an arrow that pointed down to our destination. It was then we realized that Sandy Point Beach had no lookout. The brochure lookout photo had nothing to do with it (smacks forehead). 

3 miles into our hike we were facing an extremely long set of winding steep somewhat rickety wooden stairs, that went straight down. 

here we go, from the top

We started down the stairs and came to our senses. The stairs went so far, that we could not see the end ~ 'er beach. One thing to always remember about non-loop hiking, you have to hike it all in reverse. If we went down, it would mean taking allll those stairs back UP - and then - hiking the 3-ish miles back to the truck. Needless to say we decided to take a break and sit by our favorite private Picture Rock waterfall. The one we worked the hardest to see!!

the trail is up there

our favorite UP waterfall (8 secs)

us below the falls that we hiked so far to see

a much needed deliriously happy break

I walked down a little further

hopefully my 360 turn doesn't make you dizzy
(32 secs) 

We headed back up the stairs and onto the trail, towards our truck. We learned almost every waterfall/landmark/lookout sight in the UP includes stairs. SO so many stairs!! It was a common theme among all of us tourists. My calves were sore for days.

heading back

I hauled my heavy camera and mid-telephoto lens for 6 miles. Without my backpack. Another head smacker. I barely used my camera. The deep woods were thick, mostly green tree's. I only took a few memory shots. Including my hilarious attempt near the start/end of the trail. I tried getting both of us in the frame using my camera's 10 second timer. It was too funny, and yes I biffed the shots :)) 

elevation hiking

long and winding trail

light at the end of the tunnel

I almost made it back in time

blurry us

Hiking Pictured Rock was Brad's favorite part of our UP trip. Next up are a couple scenic water posts, including our boat trip. 

fall vacation bonus

It had been a very long time since we went on a Fall vacation. Experiencing the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan was a long time wish/dream of mine. We had two things planned, a boat tour to see Pictured Rock National Park from the water and hiking the park on foot. Anything else we did/saw on vacation would be a bonus. 

I was SO excited on the ride up, when I found out that there was a chance the Aurora Borealis could be visible ~ while we were in MI. What were the odds this would happen?! I don't know. Thank goodness I had packed my tripod and night sky gear, just incase.

After a wonder-filled day of hiking and boating (post to come) we watched the sky light up. I took photos from the sandy shore of our favorite lake for about 45 minutes, before heading back to our room to watch the sky for a bit from our balcony. 

North sky was less active 10/10/24 (8:20pm)

See the big dipper above? If you are in new territory and not sure which direction to look for the Aurora Borealis (typically North/Northeast) find the Big Dipper. It is a directional indicator of North. A good place to start looking for the lights.

It was easy to spot the Northern Lights across the vast lake horizon. They were up high and visible to the naked eye. Although at times, colors were not as vibrant as seen in photos. Especially the bright magenta. It looked more red-ish to the eye and less bright pink.

East/South East (8:08pm)

Brad in foreground in both photos above

My favorite memory from our trip was seeing Brad get excited about the Northern Lights. When he wasn't watching them, he took photos with his phone.

Brad's iphone photo

It didn't take long for him to say "now I get it". Now?? Brad has been with me for my light chasing trips over the years, except Alaska. He has seen the Northern Lights before. Including above a different part of Lake Superior. However, I am not completely surprised. There really is something unique and special about seeing the Aurora Borealis with the naked eye, over big water. Plus, Brad enjoyed having the ability to capture the dancing colors with his phone. 

North West (8:09pm) 



East/South East

North East

Lake Superior was smooth like glass and reflected all the colors of the sky. The gentle swoosh of small waves washing up along the long shoreline was music to my ears. So soothing for the soul. 

East/South East (8:29pm)

The entire sky was non-stop evolving, at times in all directions. It was hard to decide where to look, let alone take a photo. 

North West  (my iphone photo)

The curtains were very tall! I've never tried taking Corona shots. It was challenging to say the least. I hope I get another chance, and a better result. Flipping ones camera upside down and contorting ones body comes with it's challenges. Comical!

Directly above us (8:42pm)

East/South East (8:29pm)

The tree's were randomly lit up by nearby vehicles pulling in/turning around. I personally like some of the lighting effects.

Aurora Borealis with Christmas trees!

Photo taken 10/10/24 East/South East (8:20pm) in Christmas, MI

We scrambled up, only to sink back down, the short but steep sandy incline to the parking overlook. I barely had enough strength left to make it back up the drop off. I may or may not have flung myself up and into a log rolled. I know, I know. You are sorry you missed it. We were laughing so hard!

It was a short drive back to our room at the Roam Inn in Munising, MI. As I got out of the truck and looked across the parking lot ~ there were the Northern Lights! They followed us back ;) 

Brad's iphone photo, from the Inn parking lot

Taken from the sidewalk in front of Roam Inn
(my iphone photo)

Brad took this iphone photo from one of our suite balconies
(10/10/2024 at 10:10pm)

Our first time in the UP was such a memorable vacation! Complete with watching the Northern Lights dance above Lake Superior!! Life doesn't get any better. It was in one word "unforgettable". Nothing short of this girls dream come true.