Much needed time with friends...

....and nothing like time on the lake. Seven of us for a 4 mile paddle this morning.


I was so excited to find Butterfly weed, growing lakeside! Here is one of two patches.

Then later I was meeting a friend for lunch and spotted this patch not far from our home, rode side. This is a HAPPY DAY for me. *smile*

 

It's not much....but every bit helps! Please, plant native milkweeds (asclepias tuberosa) in your area. The monarchs and I both thank you!

9-29-2017 Nothing like a good paddle....

...to clear the mind! 6 of us out on a somewhat windy day. As always it was nice to get out on one of the 6 lakes in our town.

 

Meanwhile, in the Hut, one is soon to enclose. Look at those beautiful wings!

 

I'm attempting to get step-by-step pics of the process...

 

The chrysalis has just opened.

 

Staring to emerge.



There, its out!



Only one set of wings are visible and very wrinkled.

Now you see both sets of wings.

 

Here you can also see HIS proboscis. (The little curled up drinking straw).
All this takes less then 4-5 minutes. At this point, his wings will dry, then in 4 hours are so he will be ready for release. 



One this day, 6 enclosed and released bringing the total to 48.

 

 

Yesterday at Beaver Lake, AR

                                      11 of us on the water today.

Beautiful and some of the leaves are changing already.

We paddle 3 miles and a bit windy but not bad. But now it's time to eat!!

 

Back to Monarch caterpillar business. Here is a pic to show you how much difference 5 days make! The larger ones are eating and eating~

A year ago today I started getting my first eggs. Today, we are at 42 caterpillars. I release 12 and I was so excite for my first try. I am at my limit and fingers crossed the numbers remain high.

Yes, there is more to my life then Monarch's...

 

If you care to see a 'better pic', please just click on the picture to bring you up close and personal. LOL 

 Yesterday more then 20 of us kayaked the White River in Arkansas.

Weather was perfect and the water was swift. The area below was so lush with such green, green grass. Love the rain we've have been having.

 

 

Today 3 of us hike The Back 40 here in Bella Vista, Ar. This is in preparation for an event that is coming up. Guided 2 and 4 mile hike ID'ing trees, wildflowers and even mushrooms.  

 

 

Butterfly Pea (Clitoria mariana). One of the many wildflowers we came across.

 

 

Here is my set up now. I did not keep the plant in the mesh container. I put the plant back in the Butterfly Garden and brought the cats in. I need to re-count, but at least 7. And 19 in the little containers. Tomorrow they will be moved also. Getting bigger!

It's been a great week...

 

 My daughter and her family dressed as Popeye, Olive Oyl and Sweet Pea for a Halloween Party.

 

I so love this picture...Is Penelope thinking.... Hummm, so that is what 'Sweet Pea' looks like???!!!!?!  

 

My biking buddies and I rode on Sunday. We discovered this hand dandy 'fix it' station for bicyclist. 

 

                         Look at all the cool tools too! They came in handy too!
                       The Razorback Greenway keeps getting better and better~

 

 On Monday a friend and I went out on a paddle boat after our 5 mile walk, on Lake Ann. One of 7 lakes in our lovely town.

                                       Love the reflection on the water.

 Then we went kayaking on Lake Brittany. Another lake of the other side of Ann.
Such a perfect day to be out on both lakes!

 

15 kayakers on the Elk River, Noel Missouri

 

                                             Look at all the pretty colors!

                   

     

 

This is going to be a pretty nice float! River is moving, and just enough for all the new kayakers we have out. BUT even the best of us tipped and went over!

 

 

                                                    And off we go....

 

Yes, cows! I learned later that the first group of kayakers saw a cow in the river. She heard all the commotions and decided it may be safer for her to join the herd.  I did see a path but didn't think about cows BEING in the water! Silly me.

 

The wonderful lady that baked these for everyone went over into the water. We had a moment of "SAVE THE COOKIES"! See the fruit, that was...MINE! lol           

 

 

What a beautiful day! A Bald Eagle even graced us with her presents. 

 

 

 

Today's float was 11 miles and took about 5 and half hours. So much beauty, friends and laughter. Life is good.

Tuesday is Kayaking...

 

...with the Bella Vista Paddle Club. About 9 of us out on a wonderful evening. This is one of 7 lakes in our town. It has been raining off and on all week. Did get a few dry times to play.

 

 We are so fortunate to have this awesome bike trail. Razorback Greenway is a 36-mile, primarily off-road, shared-use trail that extends from the Bella Vista Lake to south Fayetteville, Arkansas.  The trail links together dozens of popular community destinations. Which includes:

• 6 downtowns
• 3 hospitals
• 23 schools
• The University of Arkansas campus
• Corporate headquarters of Walmart, JB Hunt Transport Services and Tyson Foods

• Arts and entertainment venues
• Historic sites
• Parks and Playgrounds
• Residential communities
• Shopping areas

 

 Here we are in a busy area, but we all feel very safe riding and cars are very cautious of us. Here we will hang a right to reconnect with the bike path.

 

Last week I took a pic of the  Cross Church from a distance. Well this bike ride to us even beyond, a 23 mile ride. See the bike path below, in front of the crosses.

 

Here is one of your ladies testing out a bike seat. We are having too much fun!

The 5 of us all got stickers from the Cycle Track Police Officer. We are now official in the city of Rogers! LOL

 

And I leave you with Zoe, who was waiting for me to get back home from my bicycle ride.  So darn cute.

Biking last Sunday...

 

                               Part of the tail had this. 'Bike loans'. How cool is this.

 

                        This was a 10 mile bike ride to here. Now to turn around. *smile* See the 3                                           cross's in the background?

 

Last night kayaking with the Bella Vista Paddle club. A great night, as always.

A little of this and that this week...

 

                                        Hubby found this Tee for me...*smile*

 

                                             This is Zoe. She loves her ball.

 

Here is Sophie. Amongst her favorite toys.

 

 

     Yesterday the 6 of us went paddling. A wonderful day to be on the lake. Here we are at a friends dock, where she served us Lemonade!