Taking the Trains to Miami

A few weeks ago, we decided we wanted to ride the trains to Miami since we had nothing planned. We found out that an all-day pass on Tri-Rail only costs $2.50 for seniors on the weekend. Of course, you have to buy this on a weekday to get the discount. If you buy an all-day pass at the station kiosk on the weekend (ticket offices are closed), you have to pay the regular $5.

We arrived at the Boynton Beach TriRail station at 7:52 and the southbound train arrived at 8:45 am. It runs every hour on the :45 minute mark.

At 10:01, we got off the Tri-Rail at the Metro Transfer Station. We found a kiosk for the Metro-Dade Transit and bout a 1 day pass for $5.65 plus $2 for the card each. The southbound train arrived at 10:15 and we got off at the Government Center at 10:30.

We transferred to the Metromover which was free and rode the Inner Loop to the Bayfront Park Station.

Once we got off the Metromover at 10:43, we walked through the park along the waterfront to the Bayside Marketplace. Everything there opened at 11 so we were right on time. It was fun to look around in the shops and people watch but everything was expensive.

After a snack at McDonalds, we decided to head back home. The College Bayside Metromover was right beside the McDonalds.

We retraced our steps back to the Metro Transfer Station where we had to wait for 2:03 northbound Tri-Rail train back to Boynton Beach. It runs every hour according to the schedule and we would have planned this a little differently if we had realized that. We arrived back at the Boynton Beach station by 3:15 pm. 

We had a wonderful time and would do this again in the future. We are thinking about visiting the Frost Museum next time because Veterans get in free and those over 65 get a $5 discount.

Original photos and video by Pat Hensley

Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

Today we went to the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge to walk around the boardwalk. The weather was nice and there wasn’t a lot of people there when we arrived at 9 am. We saw that they offered a free tram tour but it was filled up so we just planned on doing the walk. When we got back to the visitor center, we were told that we were welcome to join the tour if the last 3 people didn’t show up. When they didn’t arrive, we took the tour. The tour guide, Don, was fabulous. Even though we have been there several times, I always learn something new! He was very knowledgeable and you could tell he enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others. We probably will sign up to go with him again just so we can hear him share more information!

I learned about the sawgrass blade and felt the edge of one. If you move your finger along the edge in one direction, the edge is smooth, but if you move your finger along the edge in the other direction, you can feel the sharp saw-like edges. I also learned that if you estimate the length in inches from an alligator’s tip of the nose to his eyes, that is how many feet long the alligator probably is.

We stopped near the levee and learned about the history of the water flow in the Everglades. We also learned about pythons and alligators. We were given a little time to walk to the fishing pier and we saw a great blue heron watching the fishermen. It was funny when one of the men caught a fish and the heron hoped he would get the fish but the fish was returned to the water.

It was a wonderful tour and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has time to take it. It fills up fast, so you want to call ahead and reserve your spot.

Other activities are scheduled like Sunday photo shoots and bird walks that we want to check out. We are also thinking about volunteering here but I tend to act on impulse too quickly so I'm trying to be patient and think about it before jumping in with both feet. We might want to check out the other activities to decide what we want to volunteer for.

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Aunt Het Festival 2024

Today was the Aunt Het Festival in Fountain Inn, SC. It was supposed to happen last week but it was postponed until this week due to Hurricane Helene. Debbie came over to our house around 9:15 am and we walked to the festival. It started out cool but eventually, it warmed up. We stopped at several tables that were giving away bags and I could put my jacket in it. We also saw a vendor selling aprons and I was looking for a garden apron. We found a $10 one that was made of denim and perfect for what I was looking for. I also ran into Amy Burns who was playing a fiddle with a band. I hadn’t seen her in over 20 years and she looked the same as ever! Around 11:30, we went to Bucky’s BBQ and got takeout to bring home to eat in front of the TV.

Original photos and video by Pat Hensley

Feeling Like a Lumberjack

Since hurricane Helene hit on September 27, we have been cutting trees. It has been an enlightening experience. It seems as if the more we do, we aren’t so exhausted and sore. The first couple of days, we were pretty tired and used muscles we weren’t used to using. We cut a lot of the stuff we could off of our pecan tree and the Leyland cypress in our yard. Then on that Saturday Dyanna and Earl came with the pickup truck and helped us haul it to the street. On Sunday we hooked up the garden cart to the lawn mower and moved some more stuff to the street. We went to Dyanna’s house on Wednesday and cut up some of her trees. There are still 3 trees on top of her house and we are waiting to hear from the insurance company. We are also waiting on 2 estimates for removing them from the house. It has been a very long week!

Original photos and video by Pat Hensley

The 1987 22¢ Badger North American Wildlife stamp

The 22¢ Badger stamp (Scott # 2312) from 1987 was part of a special collection of U.S. stamps featuring different animals. This stamp was released on June 13, 1987, as part of a sheet with 50 different animals. The stamps were made to celebrate the wide variety of wildlife in America. Each animal on the stamps was chosen to show the different kinds of animals that live in North America. The artist, Chuck Ripper, drew the animals using a pencil and he also included plants that are common in the places where these animals live.

National Badger Day is a special day celebrated on October 6th each year to raise awareness about badgers. On National Badger Day, people learn about the importance of badgers in nature. Some people organize activities like nature walks, art projects, or storytelling to teach others about badgers. The day is a chance for everyone to appreciate these unique animals and to think about ways to protect them and their habitats.

Badgers are small, strong animals with black and white stripes on their faces and are known for their strong digging skills. Badgers belong to the weasel family, which includes animals like otters and wolverines.

Badgers live in underground homes called setts, which they dig themselves. These setts can have many tunnels and rooms, where badgers sleep, store food, and raise their young. Badgers are mostly nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. They have powerful claws that help them dig for food and create their setts. Badgers eat a variety of foods, including earthworms, insects, small mammals, and plants. In the winter, badgers stay in their setts most of the time, but they don't hibernate like bears do. Instead, they might take long naps and eat food they've stored.

Badgers play an important role in nature. By digging in the soil, they help mix it up, which can improve plant growth. They also help control the population of some animals that might otherwise become pests. Overall, badgers are fascinating creatures that are well-adapted to their underground lifestyle. They're strong, smart, and important members of their ecosystems.

Stamp from the Author’s collection

Hurricane Helene

On September 27, Hurricane Helene arrived with a bang! It was my birthday and I was anticipating a fun day. Instead, I woke up to high winds and heavy rains. At 6 am, we lost power. As I sat in my sunroom in the dark, except for a candle, I heard the wind whipping around outside. I heard what sounded like ladders flying around, which I found out later were my neighbor's gutters that had fallen and were sliding on their porch hitting the railings. At daybreak, our oak tree in the front yard by the driveway fell across the street blocking both lanes. If it had happened a little earlier in complete darkness, one of the cars I saw passing by would have driven right into it. A little while later, a Leland Cypress and our huge pecan tree (over 100 years old) fell in my backyard. Luckily they didn’t hit the house.

Since our power was out, that means our sump pump wasn’t working in our crawl space under the house. Once it was filled with water, our hot water heater and HVAC system were completely submerged under 6 feet of water. When our power came back on, the pump emptied the water but we have to let the equipment dry out before we can even try to see if they will work. (Imagine dropping your phone in the toilet. You have to let it dry before you turn it on or you might fry the electronics.). As of now, we just have all the windows open to keep the house cool. Last night we had to turn on the ceiling fan in our bedroom so we could sleep more comfortably.

We are so thankful that we weren’t hurt and no one we know was hurt or has died. It is almost a week later and 50% of our county still doesn’t have power. Some use well water so without power, they don’t even have water. So many other people and towns have had it worse than we have. As we look at all the devastation around us, we look at our problems as more of an inconvenience than a catastrophe.

Now it is time for clean up.

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Knit-Away Retreat Day 3

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After breakfast, we headed towards Burnsville Along the way, we saw a sign for an antique store called Sparkling Clean Antiques. It was an interesting place and we had a nice chat with the owners.

When we arrived in Burnsville, we parked and walked to Hammond’s Antiques. Then I found the yarn store called Yummi Yarns. I bought a skein of sock yarn and the owner tossed in a free skein of Bamboo Pop.

We stopped at Ingles for lunch on the way back to the lodge. Since we got back early, we watched the Clemson football game. Around 4 pm, I joined the group and knit until dinner. After dinner, I knit until the general meeting.

At the general meeting, they gave out prizes and awards. It was a great ending to a successful retreat.

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Knit-Away Retreat Day 2

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Last week we went to the Knit-A-Way Retreat at Big Lynn Lodge in Little Switzerland, NC. It was hosted by the Spartanburg Knitting Guild.

After a wonderful breakfast at 7:30, we headed to the Linn Cove Viaduct. We hiked on the Tanawha Trail and the weather was absolutely perfect for hiking! We hiked a couple of hours in and then back to our car. It was tougher than I remembered. We had to climb up and down a lot of rocks.

After hiking we headed to Spruce Pine and had lunch at the Anchors Away Diner again. Then we went to two antique shops in town.

When we returned to the lodge, I sat and knit with my friends until dinner time. Then after dinner, we knit until the general meeting. It was time for Show and Share and many people had beautiful things to show and share.

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Knit-Away Retreat Day 1

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Last week we went to the Knit-A-Way Retreat at Big Lynn Lodge in Little Switzerland, NC. It was hosted by the Spartanburg Knitting Guild.

We left home around 8:30 am and drove through Woodruff, SC. Then we stayed on Hwy 221 to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We stopped in Rutherfordton at the Victorian Lace Antique Mall which I thought didn’t open until 11 am as Google Maps stated. It was open when we arrived at 10:45 and the lady said they opened at 10 am and Google was wrong. We ended up buying several things there including a Tom Clark figurine. We finally arrived at the Big Lynn Lodge around 1 pm and were able to check into Room #132. It was in the building on the right and the last room upstairs. The room was very nice!

I sat on the porch and knit until dinner and Don watched TV. Dinner was turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, and cranberry sauce. For dessert, we had peach pie a la mode. Dinner was delicious. After dinner, we knit until the dining room was cleared and then met at 8 pm for our general meeting. I was excited that I won a door prize tonight!

By 9 pm, I was ready to head back to the room and get ready for bed.

Original Photos by Pat Hensley

Paris Mountain State Park

For the past week, we have been volunteering at our state park. We lead second graders on a nature hike. I love being around the little children and hearing their conversations. Some of the children have never been to a state park before! 

Original photos by Pat Hensley

32¢ - 1998 “Teddy” Bear Created

National Teddy Bear Day is celebrated on September 9th every year so I thought I would see what stamp would honor this special day.

The Teddy Bear Created stamp (US #3182k), often referred to as the “Teddy Bear” stamp, is part of the "Celebrate the Century" series, which commemorates important events and cultural icons of the 20th century. The first day of issue was February 3, 1998, in Washington DC. The "Teddy Bear" stamp was issued as part of a sheet celebrating the 1900s to honor the beginning of this iconic toy. The stamp commemorated the teddy bear and its association with President Theodore Roosevelt.

The teddy bear's history dates back to 1902, during President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt's term in office. The story goes that Roosevelt was on a hunting trip and refused to shoot a bear that had been captured for him, as it was unsportsmanlike. This act of compassion inspired a political cartoon, which then led to the creation of the first "Teddy's bear.”

Rose and Morris Michtom, New York City shopkeepers, created a toy bear which they called “Teddy’s Bear.” That first “teddy” bear sold quickly, and orders for more poured in. This continued demand led to the founding of the Ideal Toy Corporation. The bear photographed for the stamp is the bear made by the Ideal Toy Corporation and is from the collection of author and bear historian Dee Hockenberry.

A toymaker in Europe also claimed to be the creator of the teddy bear. Around the same time that the teddy bear was becoming popular in the United States, a German toymaker named Margarete Steiff and her company began producing stuffed bears. Margarete Steiff's nephew, Richard Steiff, designed a bear toy in 1902 that had movable arms and legs. This bear was displayed at a toy fair in Leipzig, Germany, in 1903, where it caught the attention of an American buyer who ordered a large shipment of the bears. These German-made bears were sold in the U.S. around the same time as the American "Teddy's bear."

Because of this, both the American and the German toymakers are credited with creating the teddy bear, though the name "teddy bear" comes from the American story about President Roosevelt.

The teddy bear became a popular toy, symbolizing comfort and companionship. Eventually, children everywhere wanted their own teddy bear. Kids still love the teddy bear today!

Little River Trail and More Antiques

(Here is my write about about our trip from last week.)

Click here for pictures.

We got up early and headed to Elkmont Campground. Before the campground, we turned to go to the Little River Trailhead. We got on the trail at 7:30 am and hiked for about 5.5 miles round trip. We saw lots of interesting flowers along the way. We finished hiking as it got very hot and sunny. On the way out of Elkmont, a coyote ran out in front of our car! Then we headed back to Sevierville to Arby’s and the antique stores. Don shopped for 3 hours and found lots of treasures. I was able to sit on the bench and knit while listening to podcasts. I met a family from Lincolnton, NC who knew people from Fountain Inn that we knew. We met another couple from Clemson and the man talked with us about his wonderful hearing aids that he bought from Sam’s Club.

Things we saw:

• Maidenhair fern
• Jewelweed
• Silvery Glade fern
• Wild Ginger
• Mushrooms
• Jack in the Pulpit berries
• Doll’s eyes (White baneberry)
• Cardinal flower
• Bee balm
• Goldenrod
• Phlox
• Butterfly (Swallowtail)
• Coyote

Original Photo by Pat Hensley