Sunday, October 29, 2006

PICNIC AND HIKE AT WHISKEY SPRINGS

We enjoy camping during the summer, but for various reasons, all our camping trips got squeezed out this year. Needing a taste of the woods, but not able to get away for an extended period of time, we settled on a day long picnic near one of our regular camping locations: Whiskey Springs.

Whiskey Springs has no whiskey. Apparently, the old miners enjoyed naming the various streams in the area after alchoholic beverages.

What Whiskey Springs does have is a very pleasant 1 mile trail that loops around the campground and back.

the trailhead

Interpretive signs explain some of the sights

This picture does not do justice to the gorgeous fall colors of the trees and bushes. Nor can it capture the sound of the brooks and streams that crisscross along the trail. Since it was October, there weren't a lot of campers and picnickers, so it was relatively quiet.

Beaver Pond

The other neat thing about Whiskey Springs is its natural habitat for beavers. An observation deck along the trail overlooks the beaver pond. Since beavers are nocturnal animals, there's not a lot to see in the middle of the day. But I've been camping at Whiskey Springs in years past and have ventured forth on a cool, foggy dawn and saw the little critters swimming around and diving under what looks like debris (but what is, in actuality, their home).

Overall, a very nice day.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

JUST FOR FUN: SNICKERS

A friend recently commented that I need to blog more. So I decided to take a moment and write about one of my weaknesses and pleasures of life.

I refer, of course, to the Snickers candy bar.

I cannot imagine the incredible insight and veritable fount of wisdom that produced such a perfect blend of peanuts, caramel, and chocolate. Sure it was named after a horse some 75 years ago. But from such humble beginnings, Snickers has become one of the best selling candy bars in the world.

Now as a general rule, I'm not really into sweet snacks. I'm more of a "salty, crunchy" kind of guy. Yes, I'll have a donut once in a great while. And I have eaten my share of candy bars and treats other than Snickers. So no, I am not "addicted" to Snickers.

But, oh my.....

Snickers and a cup of hot coffee will pick me up in the mid-afternoon. On days when I know I'll be skipping lunch, a Snickers bar provides a great substitute. And nutrition? Okay...okay...it's a candy bar, so nutrition is not the issue. But it's got peanuts for protein and skim milk. Hey...protein and skim milk are not bad, right? And in the midst of a busy afternoon of studying, lesson prep, and research, it's nice to lean back in the chair or take a leisurely walk outside and unwrap a Snickers bar, feeling the familiar sweet tingle of the chocolate and caramel and the light resistance of the firmly embedded peanuts as my teeth clamp down upon them. Ahhhhhhh....

Snickers has a new ad campaign with a strumming singer extolling the virtues of Snickers. It practically sums up the experience. To see it, and to learn more information about Snickers, you can visit www.snickers.com. Meanwhile, enjoy.

(next snack food installment (if there is a next one) will be about Cornnuts!)