Black Rock Mountain

Mom had been dying to go camping for months, so the minute I was nearing the end of my summer classes, she decided we should go up to the mountains and camp! So we did. We had been to Black Rock Mountain a few years before and had been surprised by how chilly it had been in early June. So, we figured we could escape the heat of August and we were right.

It was beautiful and cool and clean, the perfect break from school and the heat of the summer.

It rained the first night, but we were prepared with a tarp and were warm and dry. When we woke up, everything was shrouded in mist and water droplets. We were literally inside a cloud.

This is my X-Files photo of the trip...

To escape the cloud, we drove down the mountain several hundred feet to the lake, where it was clear and cool. 

I may or may not be wearing one of Quinn's shirts.

Next, we hiked the medium sized trail higher up the mountain. We were in the cloud again and everything was eerily still and misty. 

Of course, the sun came back out the day we left, and everything was clear again. Ah well.

I can't wait for our next camping trip, which probably won't be until spring... We shall see. I am trying to take more pictures (I know I say that all the time), so hopefully I will frequent my blog more often. 

Until then, 

- c.

Evening

home again

So I'm back from The Bahamas! I know, I know, I've been back for awhile now and I've entirely neglected to post any pictures from my trip. It's terrible. Perhaps next time. But here's a quick shot of my little treasures from the island. Columbus beans, a cerion shell, a hamburger bean, a knicker bean (so many beans!), dollar bill & quarter, coconut seed, giant queen conch shell. :)

Today I'm working on my take-home assignments from the trip. :/ Not that fun, to be honest.

Anyway, since I've been back, I've been writing, drawing, reading, editing pics, watching tv, and sleeping. A lot of all of those things. Savoring being clean and sleeping in a clean bed and wearing clean, dry clothes (none of these things happened on my trip). Yesterday I even took out my camera, because it (and today) was one of those summer days where the sun is hot and the shade is cold and the atmosphere is just perfect.

Some silly little portraits of my characters (colored pencil on packing paper).

My new purse! (Thanks again, Griffin!)

I start summer classes on Tuesday -- precalc and chem I. Let the fun begin.

Quinn's sweet letter, which he wrote instead of a birthday card. And yes, I did just turn twenty. >.<

I met a kindred spirit on my trip who goes by the name of Olivia. Naturally, we swapped reading lists. Her favorite book is An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott, so I am, of course, required to read it. It is so delightful! I just love it. It's like Anne of Green Gables and A Girl of the Limberlost wrapped into one, or at least it is so far. I wish that I was reading it now instead of sitting at my computer. (And, of course, Olivia is reading my favorite: A Room with a View by E.M. Forster)

Our new chickens -- the beautiful barred rocks. 

We went over to Logan & Erin's for a photo session and dinner. Cuteness ensued. I took all the family pictures on Logan's camera, so perhaps he will blog those sometime. For now, I just have some snapshots.

Delicious homegrown cucumber.

I hope the family photos turned out, Logan! Hopefully we can come back to visit soon, I miss meals on your porch. :,( 

Back to sifting through research papers for my ecology assignment! So excited right now, can't even tell you. -.-

Over and out.

- c.