Archive for the ‘Edgar Winter’ Category

29 Dec

Birds, Bees, and the little things.

Posted by offthegridwithcathyherman in Camping, Edgar Winter, Hikes, Places, Stanley, State Parks.

It’s the small things in life that bring the most joy.

When taking a shower this morning I noticed two small green frogs that have taken residence in the stall. Thanking them for all the mosquitos they eat, good job frogs.

 

Hiking through this park and enjoying the small flowers, the tiny insects that scurry through the trees and bushes, stalking their next meal. The green and black gecko that scurry on the path, hunting a bit of sun to warm themselves, and the aforementioned bugs for their next meal.

 

The birds are plentiful, finding this tree filled with black vultures, watching two of them fight and fuss over a dead fish on the shore.

 

Still waiting to see a gator, the best way to see them is by kayak, but I can’t leave Stanley and Edgar in the tent. Those two raided their treat bag, and my food bag this morning. I guess dog food is not as tempting.

As we close 2018 and open a New Year enjoy the small things in life, taking to time to remember our time here is limited, and you can’t take it with you.

Cathy, and Edgar, and Stan the Man

 

 

26 Dec

Hontoon Island State Park

Posted by offthegridwithcathyherman in Camping, Edgar Winter, Gear, Places, Stanley, State Parks. Tagged: , , , .

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Rain, rain, and more rain. We spent our first few days here hunkering down in the big Kodiak Canvas tent, we were on an island on an island. The tent withstood the rain even though we had about 2 inches of water under our feet. I’m glad it was dry the day we arrived so I could at erect the tent.

Then the sun came out. Exploring the island with the dogs has been fun, keeping the dogs on the path and out of the way of venomous snakes, not so easy. The difference between venomous and poisonous is with venomous they have to bite you, with poisonous you have to bite them. There are pygmy rattlers here and they are good hiders, last thing I need is a dog snuffling under some branches and coming up with a rattler on its nose. Trying to get a picture of them is not so easy either so….

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We encountered an armadillo along the way, and two barred owls that visit the camp. There are black vultures, hawks, egrets, and lots of cranes. Mosquitos are the dominant animal on the island, the tent is secure and I’ve only had to murder a few of the bloodsuckers. I wouldn’t want to be here in summer

 

The rangers are super nice and you can ride back and forth on the little ferry as much as needed, service stops at 4:30, so after that your here until morning. When you arrive they lend you as many wheel barrows as you need for your gear and take you in the van to your campsite, picking you and your gear up your last day. The rest of the time you walk the short quarter mile path from the ferry to the campsites. They have a lending library, I’ve read 3 books already, and donated 2 that I read. There is a small store where you can get an ice cream, and ice is available. The tent site has no electric so the Camp Host, Tom, allows me to hook up my extra battery packs to his camper, thanks Tom.

The Island has this cool replica totem. There is a nice playground for kids, and lots of fishing is done from the banks. You can’t go in the water because of gators.

 

I don’t think it will be too difficult to spend another week at this beautiful park. Hoping to get more photos of the wildlife, having the dogs makes it a little tough, Stanley has quite a bark and he has decided I need protected from, well, everything.

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Cathy, and Edgar, and Stan the Man.

 

 

 

 

 

3 Dec

I’m back off the grid!

Posted by offthegridwithcathyherman in Camping, Edgar Winter, On the Move, Places, Uncategorized.

Hi everyone, how y’all doing?

Been a few.

If you don’t follow me on Facebook, I may have seemed to drop off the earth.

Well, I moved back to my family property in Pennsylvania and built this.

 

The first time since 2011 that I haven’t lived on wheels.

Winters are harsh in PA, especially on the river. Living there would require a 4wd vehicle with chains on all 4 tires to navigate the road. And a chainsaw to get through this….

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So, I’ve decided to go back off the grid for the winter and pack up my tent and camping gear and head to Florida. Edgar is still with me, along with his cousin Stanley.

Off to a new adventure……  join us.

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1 Jan

Living the life you choose

Posted by offthegridwithcathyherman in Edgar Winter, State Parks. Tagged: , , , .

It is amazing how many people live day to day, unhappy, unfulfilled, wishing their life was different. As we once again enter a new year it is time for renewal, to take the steps to make the changes to live a life fulfilled.

It took a nasty divorce, losing everything, a year of wandering to find my perfect life. 2013 ended totally screwed, I lost my beloved brother-in-law and sister within 3 short weeks of each other. Still, I live a life of my own choosing, volunteering as an Oregon Park Host and working as a Direct Support Professional for developmentally disabled folks. I changed my life from the pursuit of the almighty dollar to pursuit of making other peoples lives better. And I am fulfilled.

My heart, although broken with the losses, is still full. I know time will heal. I drove to Ecola State Park on Christmas Day – a place that fills my soul, stood at the edge of the cliff and gave thanks to the universe for my joy.

In this age of television, telling us what we need, blaring at us what we should look like, demanding that we spend our dollars to stave off aging, it is understandable why so many people feel less than their true worth.

I have been so greatly blessed to enjoy a body that works, a quick mind, a roof, a bed, food….. things that so many on earth do not have…. I am going to start the new year giving thanks for what I have, changing the things that suck and enjoying each day…… Happy New Year!

CathyCathyEdgar at Ecola

11 Mar

Anticipation

Posted by offthegridwithcathyherman in American Woman Promotions, Edgar Winter, Entrepreneur, Small business. Tagged: , , , .

Driving up the Oregon Coast to visit my friend at Ft.Stevens, I pass Ecola State Park. I am really excited about my 3 month assignment as Park Host this summer.

Thinking about it and realizing that anticipation is one of the best times of life, living in the day, enjoying the thoughts of the future. Good planning is a big part of anticipation, you know it’s going to happen, when it’s going to happen and mostly how it’s going to happen, this gives you the freedom to think about what just might happen.

Mom and I went to Egypt several years ago, it took 6 months of planning and each day before the flight I had something to do to make sure the trip was unforgettable, the anticipation builds with planning and the excited feeling we get is sometimes lost in waiting for the event. Living in the moment and enjoying that excitement is what life is all about.

We live in a world of instant gratification, we need it right now. The thing about getting what you want, when you want it, is that you lose the anticipation.

How much sweeter does that award ice cream taste when you wait till Sunday and watch your calories the rest of the week? That A you get in school at the end of the year, you had to work and wait for it, well worth the time and energy spent. The applause at the end of a really good performance, planning, practice and the anticipated pay off, appreciation.

Edgar even enjoys anticipation, I set down a treat, make him wait patiently for it, he can hardly wait to eat that treat and knows waiting pays off.

So next time you have some big life event planned, or even a nice dinner out at the end of a hectic week, enjoy the anticipation, just don’t forget to plan.

Cathy

3 Oct

Crazy Horse Memorial

Posted by offthegridwithcathyherman in Camping, Edgar Winter, National Parks, On the Move, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , .

After visiting Mount Rushmore, Edgar and I camped.  Getting up at 2:00 am to use the facilities, I thought for sure Edgar was zipped in the tent.  When I got back to the tent, no Edgar!!!  After searching and calling quietly to him for about an hour I heard a faint bark, was he stuck in a hole?  Oh no, not Edgar, he had followed me to the loo and I never saw him behind me.  Locked in the Ladies Room, he was sure glad to see me open the door.

The next morning it was 42 degrees and raining….brrrrrr.  We broke camp and headed to the Crazy Horse Memorial, it was cloudy and rainy, unfortunately you could not see the carving.
The visitor center at the memorial was worth the trip, I spent a couple hours hoping the weather would clear, the forecast was not cooperating.

We made our way to Deadwood.

Cathy

27 Aug

Comments

Posted by offthegridwithcathyherman in Edgar Winter, On the Move. Tagged: , , , , , .

The first thing I check in my e-mail is comments to the blog.  Always excited to see that my posts are read and that people have something to add.  Peggy, you do a great job, love it.  Michele, always insightful, Sisters – take a second to give your big sister some encouragement, advice or admonishment 🙂  I never delete or change comments, believing in taking life as it comes at me, such as this adventure.

I am still in Pennsylvania taking the time to work on my Mother’s property and getting it ready to meet the harsh winter ahead.  The RV is in Hillsboro at Chaps RV Repair having some work done to the fuel system.  My plan is to head back to the West Coast at the end of September and camp along the beautiful coast.  I still have reservations in the Florida Keys for Christmas through New Years, but, thats a long way off and well, the futures uncertain.

Edgar is doing great, making friends, eating strange things, escaping.  He is laying under my feet right now because he ate something bad last night, so far I have given him 3 tums.  Edgar………………….

Cathy

 

18 Aug

Wildlife

Posted by offthegridwithcathyherman in Camping, Edgar Winter, Places. Tagged: , , , .

I came across this big boy taking a walk. Edgar steered clear. So did I!

There are lots of birds on the river ….. here are a few.


Cathy

16 Jul

Pennsylvania – Home Sweet Home

Posted by offthegridwithcathyherman in Edgar Winter, How's the Car?, On the Move, Places. Tagged: , , , .

On the road again.  David and I drove the RV from Redondo Beach Marina to Portland, OR in 2 days.  I dropped both off in Hillsboro, OR and off to see my Mom in PA.

The drive across the country took me 3.5 days in my Corolla and the new engine worked beautifully.  I am actually getting better gas mileage!  Thanks Sabino.

I chose to leave the RV in Oregon because gas would cost me around $2,000 in the RV and $200 in the car.   I have plenty of places to sleep in PA and my favorite is our place on the Allegheny River about 100 miles north of Pittsburgh.

Bass, Walleye, Carp, Hummingbirds, Bear, Deer, Fox, Porcupine, Grouse, Bald Eagles, Hawks AND Edgar all enjoying the river.  Edgar loves to swim and comes to the river with me.  He has appointed himself official guardian and made it his duty to bark at everyone who approaches the cabin.

I grew up on this river learning to swim and fish.  Now my Oregonian friends understand the deep love of nature and why Oregon is my second home.  The mountains here are a bit shorter, but just as beautiful.

Cathy

 

13 Jul

The Great Houdini

Posted by offthegridwithcathyherman in Edgar Winter, On the Move, Places. Tagged: , , .

Edgar “Houdini” Winter is an escape artist.  He was closed up in the RV in Redondo Beach Marina and the next thing I know my phone is ringing and this nice young couple had captured Edgar in the parking lot.

This was the second time he escaped from the RV.  He followed me 5 blocks in Houston and squeezed under the fence of the restaurant, “look at that cute dog” I just knew it was Edgar.  Edgar can open screens – he jumped out the window – fearless considering the drop is over 6 feet.

Cathy

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