Day Three Wichita Bluff High Speed Hill Hiking Calorie Burning

Day three, on this fourth day of December, back on the Wichita Bluffs, hiking the Circle Trail into the Wichita Bluff Nature Area from the west.

As you can see, via the view from the Wichita Bluff summit, looking east at the stunning skyline of beautiful downtown Wichita Falls, clouds have obliterated the clear blue sky which had been the norm for several days.

My regimen of amping up the burning of calories, via high-speed hill hiking, seems to be working. I have made note of some shrinkage of the poundage gained from excessive Thanksgiving food consumption, consumption which went on for more days than just the Thanksgiving Thursday.

A lot of people seem to be currently enjoying getting exercise on the Bluffs, which is made much more pleasant when the temperature is not in the 100-degree zone, which happens way too often during the period of time known as Summer...

Back Burning Calories On The Wichita Bluffs

It was back to the Wichita Bluff Nature Area I ventured on this third day of December.

Yesterday I accessed the Bluffs from the west, today I accessed the Bluffs from the east.

Accessing the Bluffs from the east, the Circle Trail follows the Wichita River, til it doesn't.

Which would make that the Wichita River you see beyond the stand of giant weeds.

Hiking the Bluffs two days in a row is part of a campaign to shed the poundage gained by excessive calorie consumption during the Thanksgiving period of excessive calorie consumption.

Along with burning calories the high-speed aerobic Bluff hiking causes a lot of endorphins to get released, which is always a pleasant thing to experience.

I have about three weeks to shrink enough to fit into a tuxedo type suit. I do not know if I can make that happen. But, I shall try my best...

Perfect December Hiking Weather On The Wichita Bluffs

It was to the Wichita Bluff Nature Area I ventured on this second day of December, to hike the Circle Trail to the Bluff Summit's Picnic Pavilion.

As you can see there is nary a cloud blotting the clear blue sky.

Upon arrival at the Bluff I realized I was overdressed, as the outer world was not feeling as cold as I thought it to be before exiting my climate controlled zone. 

So, I shed the gloves and hooded sweatshirt and found the temperature to be totally pleasant with only a t-shirt being my upper outerwear.

As I sit here typing I have been hearing the tornado sirens blaring. It has been a while since I have heard the regular Monday tornado siren test. Why? I do not know. The sirens are too loud not to notice.

Due to the recent overnight below freezing temperatures many more of the leaves in the trees have gone into color change mode than prior to the freezing. Such as the tree you see above, located near the Bluff's summit.

Along with the changing color the fall falling of the leaves has begun, leaving the ground carpeted with leaves, at some locations, something I experienced a lot a couple days ago hiking the Lucy Park backwoods jungle.

Leaves falling to the ground is different in Texas than what I used to experience in Western Washington.

In Texas the leaves dry up and disintegrate. In Western Washington the leaves would slowly decompose, turning slippery and messy. 

The annual leaf cleanup at my Washington abode was not a pleasant task. But, had to be done, or the roof drains would get clogged...

2024 Texas Christmas Decorations Complete

It took a lot of tiring effort, but, eventually, on this first day of December, I got my Christmas decorations fully installed.

As has been the case for a long time, a brown ceramic cactus is my Christmas tree. 

The Christmas Camel came from my Grandma Vera.

The Christmas Stocking, hanging off the Christmas Camel, was a crocheted production of my Grandma Slotemaker.

I suspect it would please both my Grandmas to know their crafty works are my Christmas decorations, well into the 21st century.

I do not remember, for sure, where I got the Christmas Cactus. My best guess is it came from Wall Drug Store in South Dakota. I bought a lot of stuff at Wall Drug Store.

Brother Jake's Cool Mount Baker Volcano Thanksgiving

I am a couple days late sharing that which you see here, which arrived Thanksgiving morning, from my little brother who goes by the name of Jake, even though that name is not on his birth certificate.

The above photo illustrated Jake's Thanksgiving phone text message of "Happy Thanksgiving from the currently cool Pacific Northwest."

That would be the Thanksgiving morning view from my little brother's viewing venue at the Slotemaker-Jones Compound located on the Skagit Flats, near the tulip ground zero viewing location of Roozengarde.

That mountain covered in white snow is the Mount Baker volcano. That band of blue in front of the volcano is known as Cascade mountain foothills.

I replied to my little brother's Thanksgiving message wishing him a Happy Thanksgiving, adding that it is also currently cool in Texas, but from my vantage point I see no mountains no matter which direction I look.

I do not know how many miles I would currently need to drive to see a mountain, any mountain, doesn't have to be a volcano.

As far as I know the only American volcanoes are in the Cascade Mountains, with five volcanoes in Washington, one in Oregon and a couple in California.

Now that you are causing me to think about it, Oregon may have two volcanoes, if one counts dormant Mount Mazama, location of Crater Lake, as a volcano, along with Oregon's Mount Hood.

I just Googled Mount Mazama and learned it is still considered a volcano even though it has not erupted for almost three thousand years before Jesus was born.

At my current old age I at times wonder if I will ever again see an actual mountain...

First Wichita Falls Freeze Of The Freezing Season Arrives On Schedule

The first freeze of this freezing time of the year arrived as predicted, this day after Thanksgiving morning.

The outer world air is predicted to get warmed to somewhere in the 40 degree zone during my regular outdoor endorphin inducing activity time.

Before I do that outdoor endorphin inducing I am going to Walmart to be part of the Black Friday mob. This is usually reliably entertaining.

Walmart may provide all the endorphin inducing I need for the day...

Happy Texas Mexican Thanksgiving With Icicles

Well. Thanksgiving, food-wise, is now history. The 2024 version of my Thanksgiving was a basic traditional Thanksgiving meal of the Mexican food sort.

Burritos, taquitos, soft tacos, refried beans, rice, salsa, other stuff.

And no cranberries.

The tortilla plate was to the left of the plate you see photo documented. The tortilla plate was used for the soft taco assembly.

No exterior endorphin inducing activity is taking place today.

Too cold.

Yesterday, around noon, I drove to ALDI and Walmart. The temperature was in the 80-degree zone. By mid-afternoon a strong wind arrived, dropping the temperature drastically, along with a wind burst which blew up my patio furniture.

Tonight we are scheduled to dip below freezing for the first time this cold time of the year.

Being somewhat elderly I find I am not a fan of winter with its wanton chilliness and frozen water of various sorts...

Chilly Pre-Thanksgiving Walk With Sikes Lake Ducks In The Blue Lagoon

On this final Tuesday of the 2024 version of November, it was to Sikes Lake I ventured this chilly day for a walk around the lake, which would make that the Blue Lagoon of Sikes Lake you see above, with a flock of ducks quacking in the sunshine as they paddle through the lagoon.

The temperature dipped to one degree above freezing last night. It is just a bit jarring to go from one day hitting the 80s and the next day almost freezing.

Such may explain why I seem to be suffering random bouts of sneezing.

The sneezing is either caused by the chill, or the mountain cedar pollen that apparently is causing an allergic reaction in some unfortunate souls, like, possibly, myself.

I am totally prepared for Thanksgiving. There will be no turkey involved in the festivities. Thanksgiving is going to be Mexican cuisine themed, with tacos being the center piece. 

The current weather prediction for Thursday is that that day will see the first freeze of this freezing season.

There is no prediction of frozen precipitation in the current forecast for Thanksgiving...

Balmy Colorful Final Sunday Of November Lucy Park Jungle Walk

On this final Sunday of 2024's November, it was to Lucy Park I ventured, with one week to go til December, for some nature communing, via the Lucy Park backwoods jungle.

Before I ventured into the jungle I ventured to the middle of the Lucy Park suspension bridge across the Wichita River for the look north, you see above.

You can also see that the trees are finally beginning to colorfully lose their green, turning yellow and orange.

The first freeze of this, supposed to be, cold time of the year is scheduled to arrive on Thanksgiving, with the temperature predicted to dip below freezing.

Yesterday the morning was cold enough to cause me to turn the climate control from COOL to HEAT for the first time in a long time. Today we are back on COOL, with a blue sky and a temperature nearing 80, mid-afternoon.

Something about the current climate condition has been causing me to sneeze. I do not like it when that happens...

Remembering Aunt Ruth Brings Up A Lot Of Other Memories

Yesterday I made mention of being At Wichita Bluff Nature Area Summit Learning Sad News About Aunt Ruth regarding the passing of my Aunt Ruth. I made mention of the fact that Aunt Ruth and Uncle Hank, and their three kids spent many years in Australia. I also made mention of the fact that I did not remember when last I saw Aunt Ruth, Uncle Hank and their kids.

I think the year was 1995. My dad had retired. That summer they took their long planned cross country roadtrip in their RV. Including visiting Sugarcreek, Ohio, where Hank and Ruth located after Australia.

That is what we are seeing in the above photo documentation. That is my dad in the center. To dad's left, that is Aunt Ruth, next to Uncle Hank. I also recognize Australian cousin Carol, to the right of dad, and Aunt Judy, with Judy's first husband, Uncle Mel, between Judy and Carol. I think Carol's big brother, Danny is in the back between Ruth and Hank. I do not see the third Aussie cousin, Steve. That is Aunt Jane on the far right, holding a baby. I see Aunt Jane's first husband, Uncle Mooch, to the left of Mooch's brother Mel. I do not know where my mom is hiding in this photo.

And then we go back 34 years, to 1967, to Lynden, Washington to see some of the same people.

That'd be, from the left, Uncle Hank, Aunt Ruth, Grandma Slotemaker, dad, mom, Aunt Judy, Uncle Mel and Aunt Arlene. I think Uncle Mooch may have been out of the country via the Air Force at this point in time and had not yet met his first wife, Aunt Jane.

Another photo from Sugarcreek, Ohio. My dad and his siblings, Uncle Mel, Aunt Ruth, Aunt Arlene and Uncle Mooch. Only Uncle Mooch remains vertical.

If I remember right it was during this mom and dad roadtrip that we somehow coordinated them showing up in Las Vegas whilst I was there over Thanksgiving weekend in the year, I think, 1995.

I was staying at what was then called Treasure Island, took mom and dad out for lunch at the Luxor. Talked them into going on the Luxor simulator rides, which mom surprisingly enjoyed.

This time in Vegas was when the Infamous BIG BOX Incident took place. At lunch, at Luxor, mom casually mentions they have a box of Christmas presents they want me to take north with me to deliver. I can't do that, says I. I'm on a plane. You don't take big boxes on a plane.

But, mom would not take no for an answer.

I waved mom and dad goodbye and schlepped the BIG BOX to my room.

One of my travel companions had a fit upon seeing the BIG BOX. She insisted there was no way we could take that on the place.

What happened next I have never understood. She tells me she'll take care of it, gets a handcart to wheel the BIG BOX down to a Treasure Island service desk.

They said, no problem, we can ship that for you, just write down your address, so, I do so, writing down the Mount Vernon address on Pawnee Lane. They did not weigh the box, did not ask for money. And a week later the box showed up at my front door, delivered by UPS. 

That this happened perplexes me to this day. Just realized, we are coming up on Thanksgiving weekend of 2024. The BIG BOX Incident happened almost three decades ago, yet remains a vivid memory...