Vito is a busy guy. Good for him with these physical challenges.

Yesterday we went to Cape Cod for part of the day. The trip didn't work out exactly as we planned, (some areas still have too many tourists for me to deal with), however, we did stop at a little wildlife preservation area. There is a nice beach you can walk on at low tide, but unfortunately it was high tide. There were butterfly bushes around a garden area where we ate our lunch. I saw a few flying around. I've seen very few butterflies this season.

I stood around the bush for a while and grabbed several shots. I was happy with this one.


There are also several old windmills on Cape Cod. This is the back view of one. With this mechanism, it appears they can turn the top of the windmill around so it can run from both sides. I don't think I've seen this type of thing before, but maybe it's not uncommon?

 

Nice pics, as usual, Lainey.

The windmill must be turned into the wind to work, so the wagon wheel is attached to the windmill and is used to rotate the top and the sails so that they are facing into the wind. Here is more than you ever want to know about this type of windmill: Tower Windmill

 

Thanks, Gene. This was new to me, or maybe I've just not paid attention before.

 

Love the rainbow and sunset, MsPerky. Vito sure is in great shape!

Lainey, that is a very nice butterfly shot. I don't see very many butterflies around here.



I am in Vacaville, CA at my daughter's. On Saturday, I flew up and my son drove over from Mountain View. Yesterday, Kyle wanted to go to the Corn Maze, just down the road in Dixon. Christa and I were happily surprised that he wanted to go since he can be a stick-in-the-mud. She and I did it Oct. 9th, last year. It was just the second day it was open and not too hot but fairly humid. Kyle was our leader and he did a good job. There was a young teenager leading her dad behind us, and we let them go in front when we were all on one of the four bridges. We got in front of them when they took a wrong turn. That happened two more times and we finished before them. It wasn't like we were competing but since I heard her running to catch us, I knew it was a competition to her. I think Christa said it took us an hour and 17 minutes, about the same as last year.

^On the way in to the place.


^I didn't realize it until I looked at my photos but this is the girl and her dad getting ready to pay.


^At the start, before we got all hot and sweaty.


^Going down one of the bridges.


^Just starting out.


^Young corn.


^Getting hot. Christa has her hair up. Notice how tall the corn is?

^I took this last year, on Oct. 9th. You can see how much taller the corn was a little later in the year.


^Took this on the way out. I hadn't planned on hiking a muddy corn field so I only had dresses and sandals to wear but it worked out.


^On the way out. We hoped to get someone to take a photo of all three of us together but since it just opened the day before, there were only a few people there and no one to ask.


All Kyle wanted when we were done is a tall cold beer. We went to Davis, CA and had lunch at Burger's and Brew. Yummy. I had an avocado and smoked turkey sandwich with salad. We split a pitcher of Blue Moon beer. I'm not much of a beer drinker but it wasn't bad.

 

Really nice pics, Lainey & Patty. Patty its good to see you having a good time with your kids.

 

Thanks, Val. Patty, that looks like a fun time with your son and daughter. Glad you didn't need to call 911 to find your way out...

 

Lainey, I did have fun with my kids. It's been a bit rough for me, (and them too, I'm sure) over the last 6 years, with their dad moving out, and then our divorce, and me moving away to a home alone, so it's extra special for me to be with them both at the same time, and have everyone enjoying themselves. I must say though, it's great to be home, too. I don't understand it but both my kids are fine with shades drawn and just a TV or computer. I love my daughter, (and her boyfriend of 10 years), but I can't take more than 48 hours of staying with them with all the shades drawn. At least my daughter gets outside with her work at the zoo.

 

What's up with young folks these days? My daughter is the same way. I LOVE it when she visits or she and I go someplace but she's content to stay home with her tv, the shades drawn and snuggling up with her dogs. She does spend a lot of time at the beach in the summer or goes out when friends come to town, but the rest of the time, she's home in the dark.

 

I don't get the shade drawn thing either. I have a young sales guy that comes to my office, he too likes shades drawn, no light coming in. Maybe they feel comfy, like back in the womb? I want as much light as I can get during the day.

 

Yeah, me too. The only time I have the windows covered is when I want to block the hot sun out.