 |
| A tree that has not made it through the winter |
 |
| Elverson Memorial Methodist A.M.E. Cemetery, located on Irish Hollow Gap Road |
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Kings Gap Chronicles: 1 Feb 2025
Friday, January 17, 2025
CVRT Chronicles 2025-01-17
 |
| Yellow-bellied sapsucker |
Going for a walk in the
afternoon and I heard an unfamiliar bird call. I opened my birding app and
grabbed my camera off the backseat. The app identified a yellow-bellied sapsucker,
a bird that I had never identified along the CVRT. Its call, repeated and loud,
sounded like a lonely soul desperately searching for others. Scanning the
nearby trees at the intersection of Clouse and Ott Roads, the sapsucker was
working the high branches of the trees between the trail and the road.
Intermittently, two red-bellied woodpeckers took turns trying to drive the
sapsucker away. I stayed and watched for a few minutes, taking a few
photographs as it furtively moved between branches. My timing was fortuitous, I
wandered away for five minutes so as not to spook the bird too much. When I
returned no birds, sapsuckers or woodpeckers, remained.
Backyard Chronicles 2025-01-17
One of the most beautiful sights
in winter is to see a male northern cardinal set against the snow and gray days.
Often these birds are gregarious, populating our birdfeeders and sitting in trees
seemingly waiting for the spring. Some people believe that cardinals are signs
from the next life that someone is thinking and watching over you. It was the inspiration
of Kasey Musgraves’s song “Cardinal”
after the passing of her friend and mentor John Prine. Amid the gloom of deep
winter, one can understand how people can come to that conclusion.
Sunday, January 12, 2025
CVRT Chronicles 2025-01-12
 |
After two snows and cold,
windy conditions, two felines from the cat colony cuddled together on a bare
spot next to a tree. I often come home after walking this part of the trail and
remind my cats how lucky they are.
Cats of San Juan
I was walking around the Paseo del Morro, the shoreline walking path around the National Park that contains San Juan’s famous castle, when I stopped to take a photo of one of the resident cats. A man who was carrying a grass trimmer jokingly commented as he walked by, “All they do is lay around like they own the place!” Perhaps they do, I replied.
The cats have long been a
fixture in Old San Juan, but last summer the National Park Service announced
that the cats would be removed from the park, arguing that it did not meet
visitors’ expectations or the purpose of the park. Yet, most people view the
cats as part of the landscape and charm of the city. Many residents believe
that the cats are being forced out just as locals have been from the old city
to make way for wealthy investors from elsewhere.
 |
| This guy was really tired and did not mind me sitting next to him. |
 |
| Calle de Hospital |
 |
| This chicken and cat appeared to walk away as tourists started flooding the square. |
 |
| For the most part, the cats interact well with tourists. |
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Poughkeepsie (Again)
 |
| The doors of the Holy Comforter Orthodox Cathedral in Poughkeepsie, just a few steps away from the train station |
Waiting for the return train
again early on New Year’s Eve morning, I had another short investigatory stroll
through the center of Poughkeepsie. It was sunny and much warmer than than ten
days prior. The walk across the Hudson is enticing and I make a mental note to
think about a future trip.
The sun does not
significantly brighten the prospects of this Hudson town. The security cameras
that are prominently identified brings the words of the Uber driver as he
dropped us off at the train station, “I hope Poughkeepsie didn’t scare you too
much.”
The signs about town evoke
times past, which were likely more prosperous. I stopped by The Poughkeepsie
Grind for a takeaway coffee and hot chocolate, inwardly smiling at the easy and
friendly interaction between the staff and the regulars. The woman taking
orders offered New years greetings in English and Spanish, depending on the
clientele.
Quebec City: Notes and Itinerary
 |
| Quebec City from our hotel room Christmas morning |
A seven-day family Christmas trip
to Quebec City. We stayed in the Delta Hotel in Quebec City (690 Boulevard
René-Lévesque Est) and took Ubers and walked around the city, particularly Old
Quebec.
December 22 – bitterly cold
and windy, Angie and I had lunch at INOX Brewery – Shared Platter European Hot
Dogs. Everyone else arrived after 10pm, it was a full day of travel for them.
December 23 – Exploration of
German Christmas Markets across the city. Made our way to the Petite Champlain,
ride the funicular, lunch at 1608 Bistro good charcuterie and french onion
soup. Breakfast and Evening meals in the hotel.
 |
| Angie and I shared the Charcuteries & Formages fins du Terroir – Pour 2 at the 1608 Bistro |
Christmas Eve: the high
temperature was only in the mid-teens, but without wind it was very bearable,
one can almost say that it was pleasant. The old aphorism, “There is no such
thing as bad weather, only bad clothes,” applies. Brief stop at Second Cup Café
in Place D’Youville. Shopping for food and snacks at Metro Plus. I felt like we
were cheating a little because I already felt at home at the Richelieu, a
smaller, more intimate grocery store near our hotel. We walked through interesting neighborhoods,
while Miranda and Liam played in the snow. We bought bread at Boulangerie
artisanale Epi-Fanny (Rue Saint-Jean). In the afternoon, walk to the Plains of
Abraham, where famous battle between the French and British colonial forces
took place in 1759, to see the Saint Lawrence River. Dinner at Sapristi…bistro
bar, a popular Italian place near St. Jean Gate.
Christmas Day: Breakfast
buffet at the hotel, continuing conversation about ground cherries. Walk on the
Plains of Abraham, overlooking the Saint Lawrence River. Dinner at the Cochon
Dingue (1614 Rue Saint-Jean) with French Canadian Cream Pie.
Boxing Day: Aquarium de
Québec with arctic foxes and polar bear (ours blanc). I walked along the citadel and found the
memorial to the Irish famine. Café Félin Chat-Nous (cat café) for hot chocolate
and coffee.
 |
| The view of the Saint Lawrence River, over Petit Champlain |
 |
| Irish Famine Memorial in Quebec City |
 |
| Shy Iris |
 |
| Having hot chocolate and tea |
 |
| Beautiful Bianco |
 |
| Eating in the bubbles at L'Atelier |
December 28 – Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral. Lunch: fondue at Restaurant Le Petit Château. Maple Taffy at the Château Frontenac. Sledding at the Plains of Abraham. Angie and I went to the Dufferin Terrace Tobogan Slide. Late dinner (appetizers) at Bistro Hortus.
 |
| Lunch at Restaurant Le Petit Château |
 |
| Hot taffy poured over ice, then it can be rolled up on a stick for a warm treat |
 |
| Sledding on the Plains of Abraham |
 |
| The toboggan run |
 |
| Post-toboggan meal at Bistro Hortus |
December 29 – Leave Québec;
got everyone else on the way and then Angie and I took a walk. The temperature
was above freezing for the first time this week. Quick snack at Sapristi…bistro
bar. Train ride to Montreal, dinner at Les Soeurs Grises Bistro-Brasserie (32
McGill Street).
December 30 – Breakfast at
Pigeon Café (inspired by Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!). Depart
from Montreal, all day ride to Poughkeepsie.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)