Monument Rocks

After a long, dusty drive down a dirt road in the middle of the plains is Monument Rock National Park. The only thing to note that you have arrived at the right place is a small sign and the Rocks, which stick way above everything else around them.

In the days of the wagon trains with their conastogas, this was a way stop....it was a major achievment to reach this point. As we looked around we were baffled by this choice.....was it only because it couldn't be missed? Because we saw no water in the immediate vicinity!

Dandelions

The dandelion...the scourge of the well kept grass lawn. You can dig it out, but leave a thread of root behind and it comes right back!

Persistant, and useful as well, it is a mild diuretic, makes a great addition to a salad (picked young), and a fanciful wine!

Prickly Pear Cactus

These cactus were located in our yard in Colorado.

More Monarchs

Monarch butterflies in great number were found on these purple loosestrife.
Beautiful butterflies and beautiful flowers!


It is sad to think that the purple loosestrife is considered invasive and a nuisance.

Purple Loosestrife

This is purple loosestrife growing along a road on the St Regis Mowhawk Indian Reservation, in up state New York. Purple loosestrife is a very pretty plant but considered invasive as it is not natural and will take over wet areas quickly.

A note of interest....the Mowhawk call this area not St Regis, but Akwesasne, where the partridge thumps.

The Susquehanna River

Along the Susquehanna River passing Harrisburg, PA the river freezes in winter. Some years the river freezes solid, side to side. The ice gets deep.

Years ago in spring the ice would crack and break with a cannon like boom....Not anymore, it has not frozen that solid in years.

Italian Lake

Italian Lake in Harrisburg, PA after the snow storm.