It was a hot July afternoon.
The kind of day when you can here the buzz of crickets.
The kind of day that keeps you close to water...any water.
As long as it's cool.
Farmlass and the fishing ballerina were out with the dogs, wondering where the day would take them...
Past the little farmhouse...
...taking care not to disturb that cranky junkyard dog, especially on a hot day such as this.
A day like this deserves shade.
A ramble through the tall trees that provide a welcome canopy over the paths.
Across the bridge and then...there! They spot it...
An over grown path into the woods!
"Must be an old trail into the Boy Scout camp that they don't use anymore."
The farmlass runs ahead, knowing that somewhere up here there used to be a way across the creek.
And then, as if the genie had granted them a wish, there it is!
The hand powered cable ferry!
Block and tackle in perfect working order...
"This is heaven on earth!" the fishing ballerina cries out.
"Who knows what lies on the other side!"
And so over the creek they go...dogs pacing in excitement...the other side coming closer and closer...
"we could just jump off right here in the middle..."
But something lures them to the other side...
deep into the canopy of alders...
The path is much smaller now, overgrown from inaccessibility and soggy, muddy ground.
But the path leads into the light.
Into the back of the farmers fields...
"Keep quiet you dogs! We don't want any trouble."
The grass is as tall as we are and we feel as if we are on safari...
Sneaking, stealth like, hiding in the grass from hungry tigers...
Then back into the woods and onward through the scrubby bush...
Once again they see the light!
"What is it?"
"Another way over the creek!"
This time the way over is not so smooth..
The fishing ballerina uses her expert balance from years of dancing to guide her across...
And then, before their eyes...
The best water hole EVER!
The dogs plunge in...
They explore along the bank...
Finding evidence of the farmer...
Wild oyster mushrooms to bring home for dinner...
The tiny fish tickling their legs as the water brings cool relief...
Then, almost blending into the dappled shadows on the bank, they see this...
A newly fledged robin!
With his clown-like mouth and tufts of feathers above his eyes,
we are probably the first humans he's ever seen...
The day is getting late...
farmlass and the fishing ballerina must get home for supper...
The dogs are tired from swimming...
"It's my turn to take us back!" the farmlass says, eager to power the ferry.
And so ends another farmlass adventure...
The End.
For now.
Once again they see the light!
"What is it?"
"Another way over the creek!"
The fishing ballerina uses her expert balance from years of dancing to guide her across...
The best water hole EVER!
Finding evidence of the farmer...
we are probably the first humans he's ever seen...
farmlass and the fishing ballerina must get home for supper...
The dogs are tired from swimming...
"It's my turn to take us back!" the farmlass says, eager to power the ferry.
For now.
5 comments:
What a lovely day out! I totally enjoyed going along for the ride, and with it being so cold and dreary here in southern Oz, it was a real treat to step outside for a bit!
Especially with such good company!
Great nature pictures and the bird-I have never seen such, cute
Oh my, this is wonderful! It takes me back to hikes I took with my aunt to the creek, on the ranch in Napa, when I was a little girl. Hot summers of my childhood and a life that I ache for.
What a lovely story and the pictures.... That one of the mushrooms and the dragonfly wing was astounding.
Those photos evoke old feelings of shady places that seem magical and the hope of catching faries at play.
I would die for a rope ferry to cross a creek with.
I was walking along behind you the whole time. I was in the water with your dogs. Write more stories. This was wonderful. C.
I loved the romp in the woodlands!
Thank you!
The best real life adventure with Kerry & Griffin. ( I was there) My dog Rosie goes nuts when I just mention their names because she knows there is fun-fun-fun ahead!Thank's Kerry for the great pictures.
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