WanderfullyAdventurous

We’re back at it for the season, officially back to our wanderful adventuring. We already made a lot of new friends!

2 large black snakes crossed our path. Over 20 (probably—we didn’t keep count) blue-tailed skinks and broad headed skinks.

We venture forth, and wander fully adventurous.

Our list of badges increases. We just were unexpected elevated to Killdeer Patrol. On a little walk, we saw a mama and daddy Killdeer. They were acting rather strange, and we saw to our left three little poofs—babies! But in the moment we saw them, a car rushed by, and one didn’t make it.

Or so we thought!

All three babies survived the car passing, but a very tall curb now separated them from mama and daddy. We felt badges pinned to our chest and we stepped into action to help all three babies avoid more cars, dangerous storm drains, and successfully reunite with mama and daddy safely away from all the dangers.

Found ourselves in a little secret nook for the weekend, a Getaway. It was perfect weather, and we made LOTS of friends!

1. A teeny weeny Ring Neck Snake, whom we almost stepped on. He was quick!

2. A sweet Red-Spotted Admiral flutterby, who may have been injured, but didn’t let that stop her from enjoying a prime sun spot.

3. A cricket, unafraid of heights or elbows.

4. Dung Beetles…So. Many. Dung Beetles. They really like to fight over $#&%.

5. Another flutterby of some sort, posing pretty by the water.

6. A BIG toad!

7. A Garter Snake who scared us, which scared him, which scared us more, and this scared him even more. Everyone was scared.

8. And last but not least, Euna, our Getaway Guardian. A Carpenter Bee, she had one thing on her mind: build a hole in the picnic table. And she would wait very patiently for us to move if we blocked her mission. She worked hard and burrowed a hole from scratch during our adventure. It was kind of amazing to watch! Despite being bossy, she kept us safe. Thank you Euna!

Well, it’s official: we’ve decided to visit all the National Parks of the US. Today, our first Park was Shenandoah NP. Did you know that going to elevation of 2500-4000 ft puts you literally IN clouds on a cloudy day? We sure didn’t. Guess we’ll be back, to wander fully adventurous.

We didn’t know it, but, we had a destiny to come to terms with: we would become the sole members of the Spring Peeper Patrol on this day. The teeny tiny little darlings were in desperate need of assistance, and we were there in the nick of time to rescue them. We took our new-found roles very seriously, for the sake of the little guys out there.

In addition, we met a very hungry deer, several relaxed flyers, and even MORE snakes. One was rather intriguing, an eastern hog-nose. He was vibrant, probably freshly shed. After reading up on him after the fact, we learned that they do not resort to biting when threatened, but instead prefer an initial high-speed head butt. It was funny to imagine, to say the least.

Also, very unexpectedly, we found a large patch of cactus in the middle of the woods.

It was a day like any other. We set out for adventure.

The path was familiar, until we reached uncharted territory, and being the wanderfully adventurous types, we pressed fourth, undeterred.

First, we came face-to-face with Slithering B. He was eye to eye with us, as if waiting to be seen by two poor souls. He spared us at the last second, after we were able to document his gracious existence.

With our senses far more alert, we continued onward. Before we knew it, the path was closing in. The edges of the path became like curtains that we had to peel between. For miles. We looked closer, and realized we were in a graveyard. A graveyard of flat-backed millipedes. Hundreds of them, frozen in time, in the claustrophobic graveyard.

We pressed onward, fueled by our growing fear.

The ground became scarce, and we scamped along a thin edge, and entered the territory of the great green kraken monster of legend. Fortunately, it was sleeping, and we tip-toed back to the “safety” of the curtained pathway.

As if a tease that we were nearing sanctuary at last, we were greeted by a very cute froggy, who whispered good vibes to reinvigorate us to the finish of our adventure.

Our journey could not be complete without a fated crossing with the Keeper of the Forest herself: A 5-foot rat snake. Her Majesty moved with precision through the brush, barely making a sound. We were lucky to meet her, and ensured her safe crossing to where ever she was headed.

When we finally made it back to the start, we were stronger for it, to say the least.

You just never know what you’ll encounter in the woods.

Stumbled upon some new territory, a land ruled by lizards. So many lizards.

And they allowed us to hang out a while. It was pretty special.

We decided to enjoy our first meal with some new gear. It was a very nice day to eat outside. Little did we know, we’d come across some new friends too.

Lesson learned: plates required.

It was a perfect day to get out and off-road a bit. While following the path, we veered a decent amount, and came upon an ancient graveyard tucked away in the brush. Graveyards are more peaceful than they should be.

On a break, there was a forlorn flower, maybe purposefully left inverted. We’ll never know, but it was curious.

After getting turned about, we found our way to a final break spot, offering a private party with a lone tree.

We’ll continue to wander, fully adventurous.