Influences

Recognition should be given to all those who have gone before; family members, friends, and others that may have influenced me in their own quiet way.

Special recogition should go to my father Kenneth (Kenny to all who knew him) and my grandfathers Selby and Chester (Jake), both born in the 1890s. All of these gentlemen influenced me in their own way...with time fishing, hunting, trapping, or just time spent togeher.....







Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Down in the Paw Paw Patch

This past weekend, a friend and I took a nice hike, to some areas that were new to him. We walked down an old abandoned road that is grown up with small trees and brush; with erosion working away at it. As usual with me, we were following along the wooded areas above and along the river.

We stopped to look north out over the bottom land from a nice vantage point. The river makes a sharp turn just below here; with a deep hole of water.



We went back to the old roadbed and continued following it, until it just became a path through the woods. We noted that the Buckeye trees were all losing their leaves; probably from the severe dry weather we have had. Every tree we came across, had leaves turning brown and dropping. For those that do not know, this is what Buckeyes look like when still on the tree and in the husk.



When down to the river level we stopped for a break.


We continued downstream; walking along the bottom of a steep bank. We had to move carefully in a couple of spots along there, but made it with no problem.

About a quarter mile or so downstream from here, we went through an area with several small groves of Paw Paw trees; and stopped to pick some. These were still green and on the trees, so we had to shake them down. A few fell into the river, but we each got some. Hopefully these will ripen in a short while. These have been called the Bananas of the Midwest; and the flavor compared to bananas. I do not really think they taste like bananas, but they do have about the same consistency as a ripe banana.

           Paw Paws in the tree.

         Searching for the fruit that we shook to the ground.

About another quarter mile from here, and we had a steep climb to the top of one of the high bluffs above the river. This is the same location as shown in a recent post; and the spot where the Bald Eagle flew past below me. 

We needed a rest after the climb! While we were sitting there "Rusty" pulled out a few snacks from his pack.....we ate those, drank some water, and enjoyed the view.

The tree I am standing beside, is the one shown from the earlier, recent post. As you can see, I have my arm around the tree......one step back..........and it is a long way to the bottom!

It was another great day out in the woods!

Until next time..........

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