Some pretties.....

I love Redbud trees.  I think they look mystical and "other-worldly".  After a couple of failed attempts, I now have a fine specimen of my own - right in my own back yard.  But what I saw today nearly took my breath away!.

Red Haw State Park is covered in Redbuds!  DH and I took a road trip to Southern Iowa today.  The park is located near the town of Chariton.  Timing could not have been more perfect. 

There is a nice lake, the banks of which were just covered with them!

They also lined the roadways.

Right around this bend, we could see the water again, and were thrilled to see a group of Pelicans.

DH liked the trees, but I think a group of Pelicans.....well, it made his day.  Up until then, we had seen only a few Canadian Geese and a few ducks - one of which was a wood duck.  I quickly grabbed the camera, but these guys didn't stick around for many  poses.

Then on to Pella.  Pella is a Dutch community, with an annual "Tulip Time" fesitval every May.  This year, I'm afraid the tulips may be past their prime.  They were the most beautiful I have ever seen them - today - which is two weeks before their festival.  The whole town is covered with gorgeous beds of tulips. 

This has to be my favorite color of all!  Followed closely by

these gorgeous yellow ones. 

I really don't know much about tulips, but there were some very unusual varieties! 

So, this year we missed the street dancers in their wooden shoes, and the street washing that they do.  We weren't tempted by all the junk food vendors either. We experienced absolutely gorgeous tulips and no crowds!  Not a bad way to end a spring road trip.

"Yeah, easy for you to say.  I had to have a bath when we got home....something about washing off allergens.  Up until then I was having a good day too! - oh well, at least that little boy didn't get to go!!"

Call me a bird brain....

But I really like birds. Probably due to the fact that my dad raised homing pidgeons when I was a child, and I spent many many hours at his elbow. I even had a pet pidgeon...."Pidge". (No, not very creative child.) Anyway.... DH, Sofee and I just returned from a little trip down to Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, just North of St. Joseph, Missouri. We usually try to get a fall trip in, as the last of the road trips till Spring. This visit was no disappointment. The mounds are caused from muskrat activity. Great sunning places for the birds. We saw quite few bald eagles, but I was not able to get any good photos. I was manning the camera this year....practicing for when Santa brings me a new one soon. These two bald eagles were just hanging out. Sort of a nice photo, silhouetted against the evening sky. When an eagle would soar too closely, this is what would happen....and the noise that was audible, very "other-worldly". Thousands and thousands of snow geese. Obviously the refuge is on their migration path. It's just an awesome sight. We saw quite a few pelicans and trumpeter swans also. Breathtaking!

We also stopped at my favorite fiber store, The YarnBarn in Lawrence, Kansas. That is where I bought my loom years and years ago. They are also the folks from whom I recently purchased my spinning wheel. They have a very nice store! We also stopped by the City Market in Kansas City. It's a great outdoor/indoor "farmer's market" with great prices and a very eclectic atmosphere. So...a nice little fall get-away. Oh...and Sofee..... She loves the Drury Inn. She can be a princess wherever she is! She travels very well - have bed will travel.

Awaiting for me when we returned was this lovely fiber. It's the fist installment of the FatCat's Mixed Blessing fiber club. Two 2.5 oz Merino braids. They are meant to be spun separately and plied together. I joined this club just to push myself into new colors. I totally love these, although there is no way that I would ever have chosen them for myself.

Actually joining the AllSpunUp SAL, sight unseen, was for the same reason. I just LOVE this yarn. I posted a photo of the singles on the bobbins in a recent post. Those three bobbins produced these three skeins of yarn. A nice worsted weight - 505 yards. Not sure what I will make, but it will be warm and squishy, whatever it is. A hooded scarf perhaps??? We'll see......
I think my consistency is getting better. I am not a very scientific spinner.....I just do what feels right and enjoy the process. It's a total no-stress activity. I will probably never win a blue ribbon for my spinning efforts, but then since I will never try for one, guess that's ok. :)

And the "forever" stocking has monopolized my entire day today, but progress is being made. I am now on piece number 46 - out of 113. Sigh..... "forever" is supposed to mean that BG will keep it forever, but perhaps it just means it will take me forever to make it! LOL. That's ok...I wanted to make a stocking for him. It will be worth it, once it's all done. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.......

Have you ever wondered.......

what thousands of migrating snow geese might look like......
I wish I could begin to describe the sound that they make when all go up in flight. "Otherworldly" would be about as close as I could come, I guess.
DH, Sofee and I took little road trip over the long weekend down into Missouri and Northern Arkansas. I don't know the name of the wildlife area, but if anyone is interested in the details, let me know and I can ask DH.

We also took in a very interesting WWI Museum in Kansas City, and several yarn shops along the way. It was great fun!

Of course, I knit as we traveled. I made another Noro scarf to send off to my son. Also a lacy Malabrigo scarf for..... not sure?? And I started another pair of mittens - same designer as the dog and moose mitts. Knitting photos to come soon.

We were there....

A shot of Chicago from atop the Hancock Observatory.

And, just to prove that I was really there:

Then on down the road (or UP the road I should say) to Door County in Wisconsin. A bit more "laid back".

Where we visited lighthouses,

And saw many beautiful Wisconsin barns. And:

I must share with you that I found the most delightful knitting shop in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. It is named "Spin" and it is GORGEOUS!! It is in an old bank building - beautifully re-done! It was newly opened in June, and I truly wish Terri all the luck with her new business. So, if you ever get in the neighborhood, stop by and say hi!. (no camera with me when I was there-Drats!)

Also, I would highly recommend seeing a production by the "Peninsula Players" if you are ever in Door County during the summer months. (We were lucky - they are now closed down till next spring) It is a summer theater group (currently in their 72nd season). We saw a play "Be My Baby" - and it was just delightful. They have a brand new theater nestled in the woods on the shore of Lake Michigan. A great way to spend the evening.

Next year we plan to tour the old historic lodges of Glacier National Park. Already looking forward to that one!! Never can take too many vacations.....

On the knitting scene...several folks have written to me asking for directions on Double knitting. I will try to write up a little ditty and post it later today. Not that I am an authority or anything - and there may be more ways of doing it than I know about. (I say that as I explore Cat Bordhi's "New Pathways for Sock Knitters". ) Who could have guessed that the proverbial wheel could be re-invented in so many ways!! Amazing..... but more about that later too.