Monday, October 18, 2010

Fall Adventures, Close to Home

Here I am at Ashfall State Historical Park. It is in rolling hills, with tall grass similar to original prairie grasses and doesn't look too exciting until...

you walk into the Rhino Barn and see all the full sized fossils in situ. This was a watering hole that the animals came to during the ashfall from a volcano in what is now Idaho. Because of the water hole, the heavy ashfall, and the ingestion of the ash, the animals all died in this one spot.


The Rhino Barn has just been enlarged and is about 100-150 feet long. There will be archeological work here for many years to come!


Here is Gromit at Lewis and Clark State Park near Yankton, SD. He loves riding on the bike!


This is Gavins Point Dam with all the spillways open. That doesn't happen very often but it has been like this for at least a month. We drive over the dam to get to the bike path and state park and then ride along the toe road as part of the bike path.


Early October is paddlefish season. This is a very popular but very short season. Paddlefish are bottom feeders with very long snouts. There are barrels in the parking area where the fisher people have to place the snouts! Lots of boats... and lots of people on shore too!


This is the fairing John bought for his bike. It was used and had some scratches. He has been trying to smooth out the scratches. The jury is still out on the use of the fairing... a lot of glare makes it hard to see. Marilyn doesn't have a fairing and life is just fine!