Quitting Coffee and other Stuff

Quitting coffee is should require in house rehab. Years of drinking mocha flavors of vanilla bean, hazelnut, southern pecan, and even the rich dark Blue Mountain come down to this. I must let it go for the sake of health. If I could drink coffee and go through hot flashes (yes we are back to that) I would. This is similar to the Gettysburg address of President Lincoln when it came to freeing the slaves. It was only about saving the Union and which scenario got the end result was his choice. Okay that is too dramatic. Yet it is just what three days without coffee will do, bring out the dramatics. My end result is a return to sanity without medication. So if it means giving up the love of my life - coffee then here we are. No one wins here. I love coffee. I love the taste of the flavors; the discovery of new coffee theme shops with their own pizzazz and flavor.  Every new city I encounter its livability is dictated by the coffee shops it has, second being the independent bookstores. Let me say chain shops like Starbucks, Seattle's Best are not considered in the grouping. They are a by product of the excess that has drove the country to over spending. Who pays over two dollars for coffee. It is immoral
This is day three of my not having coffee.
Is it a coincidence that clouds moved across our blue skies; rain fell in big water droplets followed by rumblings of thunder that vibrated against my window pane. Did I anger the coffee gods by stopping my daily morning libations of caffeinated elixir?  My symptoms the first day were headaches and mood swings. At one point I contemplate going to the emergency room.  A throbbing in the back of my head that drifted over the back of my head right behind my left eye socket before settling down in my frontal lobes for the night.  That night I tossed and turned waking every two hours to the aching behind my eyes.  The second day by mid-afternoon I felt better.  The headaches were gone but psychologically I wanted a cup of coffee.   No addiction is rational.  Right now I steer clear of the coffee shop on my block. It is my stumbling block of sorts. I can't go in there without desiring to taste the flavor of the day.
Everyone do enjoy the trees. It is my distraction for today. I have some water on boiling on the stove. A box of Bigelow tea and Natures Best are on the counter.  Maybe orange mint can be the flavor of the day.

Bodie Island Restoration to the Lighthouse

This is where tax dollars and other monies are going Ameria. When this project is finished visitors will be able to climb this lighthouse and look out on the Outer Banks portion of Bodie Island. This is a great place to bring the family and learn why this part of our east coast was so in need of these lighthouses to keep ships from sinking along the shoals. Also the birding is nice and plentiful.  I enjoyed my return visit and I can't say enough about the beaches. Can anyone tell me the characterstics of the light on this lighthouse.  Leave your answers in the comment box

Getting back Outdoors

What is this heating up of our area really about? It is so uncomfortable for me to be outside after 11am. I'm down here in southern Louisiana and babbby its hot humid and there isn't enough minty mojiots to quench my thirst. So for those who are wondering what the global climate change is all about, just check the weather channel. Heat waves in Russia, Europe including the yellow and burnt orange colors of across the United States map predicting nothing but more scorching temperatures for the reminder of August. Right now a cool breeze of air without the humidity will do. I'm looking for the perfect place to go before the end of the summer. It must be cool, water to swim and did I say cool and lots of  water too. Cool is the key. I can't sit in the ocean from sun up to sun down. Just saying. I'm just blabbing and rightly so. I will be back blogging regularly in September.

Have a happy end of the summer vacations everyone.  Stay cool, hydrated and safe.

Texas Coast Road Trip: Galveston, Corpus Christi and all That In Between

Texas Coast Road Trip: Galveston, Corpus Christi and all That In Between

Well everyone I'm back from a road trip of coastal Texas. It was an interesting experience for all involved. Let me say that it is hot in Texas. Leisurely driving down interstate 1- we got into Texas and our stopped at the first rest stop just inside the state line. A great visitor center with information, maps and brochures on every region and major city in Texas. Walking in I stopped to see why people had crowded over the banister at the entrance. Well the first picture below says it all. Yes Allie the alligator was posing for some shots. I learned the bayou doesn't just stop at the Louisiana border. Out back of the visitor center is a boardwalk that takes you back into the bayou. After a brief break we headed to Galveston our first stop of the trip.

Galveston surprised me. We arrived in the late afternoon to a place that is caught in transition. When visiting this town stop in at the Ashton Villa where the visitor center is located.  This area was hit by hurricane Ike and parts of it looks like post Katrina New Orleans on the island. Now down by the beach area there is a great bike trail that runs the length of the entire beach. The area near the state park is very nice. You have plenty of places up and down the beach front to park or unload your beach gear. Now about the beaches. When we arrived on Monday the first tar balls had started washing up on East Beach area. I must say I was disappointed by the trash on the beaches and they were crowded up until late night. That night we slept in Motel 6 which was modern and most of all clean.

Morning came and with it the desire to head out to the next town. We were disappointed in with Galveston. I can tell it is going to look just nice once it completely gets back on its feet.  Our goal was Port Lavaca and the local state park. With every adventure you have a goal an idea of how the day will go but life is ever happening. Heading out of town we said goodbye to Galveston and I recommend giving it another year or two before it looks like a beach seashore town you desire to go to for the summer.

Taking the back roads of we encountered many small towns and port towns that were cute. After two hours of riding through thunderstorms, passing corn fields with obviously modified corn (see below) we hit Port Lavaca our suppose stop for the day. This sounded great in the brochure. Part of this road trip was not to plan to far in ahead to leave some spontaneity in the trip for a chance to experience things in the moment. We had decided to camp at the Lighthouse Park which also had a long boardwalk into the marsh area for birding and also beaches too. So this was a two for one deal plus we had plenty of time to explore the town. It wasn't even twelve o'clock yet. To be fair the small towns we passed on the way were quaint looking though we did not stop. At the Lighthouse Beach Park the nice woman in the kiosk booth hesitated when we asked about tenting for the night. . She said,Why don't you go down there and check out the tent sites. I for one wouldn't recommend it the mosquitoes are bad. Just check it out." They were the size of dragon flies. I'm not kidding just huge. It had just stormed in the area and puddles of water were breeding pools of more of these dragon mosquitoes we would encounter the rest of our trip. They had a bead on the make and model of our car for sure. It think there is an underground mosquito railroad where they relay ahead of fresh warm blood heading your way.

Well Lisa got out and investigated the bathrooms/showers. She ran back to the car screaming, "drive, drive get us out of here."  We did stop at the birding boardwalk. It is very long. It goes out in the bay and around toward the beach plus it has a fishing pier. Nice I must say. Life keeps happening and the pictures of us taking it in on the board walk salvaged some of the day. We would keep pressing on and in the next two blogs you will get it all  (I will be posting the rest of the pictures for this post separately due to space constrictions.)

The Garden Issue

We are growing things and you are invited to see the progress of my summer garden. I got okra in there for Lisa I'm not a fan of the stuff but I struck a compromise since we are using her parents backyard.  This is an experiment as well as a love for working the land. So this is a four by six raised garden box. We made it ourselves with Mr. Langlois's help. He loves his yard and what ever goes in it must meet his approval. We have squash, cucumbers, watermelon, zucchini, tomatoes and peppers.

Barred Owl and Armadillo

Lake Fausse Cabin #8

Atchafalaya Basin

I had the pleasure of taking two great people on a 4 day excursion down in the Atchafalaya Basin. It is the largest basin in North America and growing. We had a wonderful time. Our lodging was in Lake Fausse State Park where it the cabin we stated in exceeded our expectations. I call this a city person's get away. Roughing it we were not and yet we still had the experience of being in the back swamps and bayous of Louisiana.  I can be cliche here and say it was magical for me and Im sure Julie and Kevin. We had a wonderful time birding and listening to the locals share there stories and culture of the this place they call home.  We also got to visit Chicot State Park and canoe, bird, picnic and hike on the trail. I must say Julie is an alligator and snake magnet. Our guide on Lake Martin over did it with many sightings of alligators, night herons, and the majestic blue heron too. I learned a lot about Bow rivers and lakes and not all the redwoods are in northern California. Butch's knowledge and insight about the Mississippi River, cypress trees and nature while guiding us along the lake created such a personal feel. The dinner at Pat's a must for anyone coming to Henderson, LA is a must. The blackened crawfish and zydeco grits is a must as well as the house special crawfish camp dish. It was more than enough and we took our plates home.  Come on folks and get out doors this summer in our state and national parks.

Planting seeds and the now in the plastic greenhouse.

Green Gardening

Okay I'm creating a garden this spring and summer. First is the container herb garden I'm doing on the deck of my apartment. Next is the box above ground garden in my partner's parents backyard.  This will be the challenge because her dad who means well is bent on taking control of how it gets to be done.  Well what you are seeing here is the starter kit of some of the herbs, flowers and veggies. The starter kit I got at Lowe's but I saw the same kit at Walmart one dollar cheaper. It is up to you how you desire to spend your money. Last summer I lived in a small ocean side town so I bought at the local hardware store. I desire to spend money locally yet also the people working at Walmart and Lowe's live in my community too.
Alright I digress. Now in this container the seeds will germinate for a few days and then sprout. In about 4-6 weeks they will be ready to be transplanted outdoors in pots and the garden. Here are the photographs of me getting it started.

The Spring Equinox

So its here for everyone. The time we get start digging in the dirt again for some. The time we can take the bike out of the trainer to test a new paved surface or get back on some dusty road. Yes. Sap running fresh in my bones has me get the kayak out for long river paddles and back waters excursions.  Like this slider many of us are emerging out of winter shells. Some of us have stayed busy at the local gym but many of you have been impacted by the winter snow storms; take it easy if you are just beginning a new workout program take it slow. We at Open Spaces Exploration are excited about our new business. Please feel free to post your adventures outdoors. Lets get outdoors in 2010.

An Adventure is Waiting out Doors

Welcome fellow adventurers to Open Spaces Exploration's blog. Here you can post pictures, comments and updates on current camping, hiking and kayaking trips. First I must say this has come together after 15 years of work in various fields dealing with nature that has brought me here. I also get to thank Ron Davis, Master Coach for believing in me and being the confidant for many years. It is in remembrance of his spirit, love and laughter we will live into 2010 of living life out loud. I am anxious to get things started with our first planned excursion canoeing and photography in the Atchafalaya Basin. Spring is coming, I can always tell when the red robins show up in flocks. Here in Hammond I have seen so many robins on the ground eating the worms that have come to the surface due to rains we gotten. Once again welcome and come get out doors with me.