Uf-dah! It was a pretty foggy morning as Emma and I did her first outs.
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I was hoping for one of those spectacular sunrises as the sun starts burning through the fog, but it was not to be. The fog was just too dense.
We were socked in until almost noon. The forecast for tomorrow morning is the same, but I’ll be prepared with the camera just in case the weather guessers are wrong. As long as I don’t have to drive in it, I can appreciate the fog. It really softens the winter landscape.
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As I headed to headquarters around 10:00, I found fellow volunteers Al and Phyllis on duty with a special assignment. They were both posted at the entrance to the parking lot to caution walkers about the speed bumps, and to hand out water… just like in a marathon race.
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There were about 60 participants in this morning’s exercise. They are all members of fire crews from the refuge, and from the state of Mississippi. Just like PT requirements for the Army, fire crews have to demonstrate fitness as well. Each fire person had to walk a three mile course in 45 minutes. That might not sound too difficult to some, but do you see the vests they are wearing? Each of those vests contain 45 lbs. of lead in them. So, it’s not as easy as it may look. I just might (probably not) be able to do three miles in 45 minutes, but certainly not packing an additional 45 lbs. I’ve seen fire crews in action, both here and in Yellowstone, and believe me it’s a physically demanding job.
This afternoon I tackled setting up the DISH, my trucker’s antenna, and the propane extend a stay. It took me just about three hours to finally find a hole in the forest big enough to get a signal through. I had to use the full 100’of cable to find that spot. It was a most trying experience.
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So what was Emma doing while I made my 8000 trips down the path and back trying to find a signal? She spent her time sniffing, digging, and rooting around in the leaf debris making a comfy place to lie down. I wonder if I could train her to sniff out a satellite signal? It’s about time she started carrying her weight around here.
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
When you start a post with Uf-dah, I get worried! Sounds like you had a tiring day so hope tomorrow is much better. The fog pictures have a haunting loveliness to them.
ReplyDeleteWhen Kevin and I walk for exercise, we usually manage 3 miles in an hour, so they have to walk pretty fast with that extra weight. I'm impressed. We had trouble getting our satellite set up too. We could get either the local or satellite channels, but not both. It had to do with the different tilt in the south versus the north where we'd been. Kevin finally got it figured out, but it took hours. Glad you got yours working.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Emma should start doing her share. Not fair, you have to do it all. Sounds like an exhausting day. Well, now your set for the duration. Beautiful fog photos!
ReplyDelete"Weather guessers"..I love it!! hehe
ReplyDeleteWe have a poodle that doesn't carry his weight either but he gives us lots of love. He only weighs 7 lbs So not too heavy. Like the fog pictures
ReplyDeleteI love the 'foggy' photos - something mysterious and eerie about the landscape in fog. I agree that as long as you don't have to drive in it, you can appreciate its beauty.
ReplyDeleteI love the fog pics. It looks like emma may be hunting truffles. If she found some that would be pulling her weight:)
ReplyDeleteDown here, the fog brings out many spiderwebs and softened beauty...Yep, our son is a Lieutenant on the Oswego, IL Fire Dept. and he has to pass a bunch of physical tests every year..up and down a ladder with those heavy packs on, too!! Lucky me, McGyver sets up our Hughesnet..no way could I do it...Kudos to you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteWe nearly fell off our seats when I read out about the volunteers warning walkers about speed bumps on the path.
ReplyDeleteI understand that these walkers are in a special category and would not necessarily be looking out for obstacles in the paving.
I understand the accepted pace for a forced march, (army carrying full gear), is 4 miles an hour so this exercise had similar expectation.
Love your photos and reading about volunteering in nature parks
Blessings
Those are lovely fog pictures Judy. You have such a good eye and ability to capture the beauty.
ReplyDeleteYou are set for life if you can train Emma to sniff out satallite signals. Hmmm wonder what a 30 minute Emma rental would cost??
That fog is a little spooky looking. Don't pick any scary books to read until it clears up.
ReplyDeletehttp://travelinglongdogs.blogspot.com/
I love the fog photos, they just have an ethereal quality that intrigues me. Those vests are heavy, I've walked in one with about 25 lbs. in it (back when I was actually in shape) and it definitely makes the walking more challenging. I'm sure their packs would weigh at least that. Glad you finally found a signal, perseverance pays off. :)
ReplyDeleteI hate setting up mu portable dish, it seems to have a mind of its own. One day it might lock on through the tinest opening in the trees in just seconds, other times in a wide open field, I can't get a signal.
ReplyDeleteThe dish is getting a little rusty from all my tears of frustration...
Check out DishPointer.com
ReplyDeleteI paid $19.95 for the app on my Droid. . .and although hubby took classes from DirecTV and installs our satellite dish with a BirDog Satellite Finder. . .the app on my phone is indispensable when trying to find the satellites through the trees. . .if I can see their locations on my phone, then he can usually get set up right away. . .good luck!
Janice
ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing.com
ah, but I love the fog!
ReplyDeletewell, there's one good thing about being alone I guess! that signal caused the most arguments we ever had while rving! a dish that finds the signal itself is a Godsend!
I have the DishPointer app on my Droid and on my iPad. Works great if we have to use the manual dish.
ReplyDeleteOOH! That fog is creepy!
Haha, I like the thought of Emma sniffing out signals! I kept all my long length of cable & the dish from when I had DirecTV. For now, I'm just on the ears though. Love those fog photos! Really cool looking. What kind of camera do you use?
ReplyDeleteFog ... softness ... eeriness.
ReplyDeleteJudy, the fog photo's are great. You must be close to where we are..it is a daily occurance it seems lately...sometimes eerie..yet peaceful! I will probably miss it when we leave the area.
ReplyDeleteJust BS! (Bob and Sue)
Sounds as if you are settling in, we are loving the south this year.
ReplyDeleteSeems to me you got more exercise finding a good signal than those walkers did.
ReplyDeleteUf Dah? Hey, you must be from Minnesota or Wisconsin!
ReplyDeleteI am like you, I enjoy the fog as long as I am not driving in it. I think 45#s would really slow me down:(
ReplyDeleteWhat would happen to the volunteer crew people that aren't able to make the 3 mile walk with the 45lb vests on if they couldn't do it in the 45 minutes?
ReplyDeleteOne reason we don't have TV, it would drive me nuts to spend that much time trying to find a signal. Glad you finally found one.
Kevin and Ruth
www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
Ah, the life of a dog. I'm hoping to be reincarnated as a dog of an RV owner. What a life!
ReplyDelete