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Borrego Springs, CA

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Loveland to Goodland

I covered almost 250 miles of ‘land’ today, and went from Colorado to Kansas.  I took the first exit for Goodland with plans to stay at the Mid America Campground, but as I gazed at the campground from the exit ramp I decided to just hop right back on I-70.  No one was staying there and the campground looked miserable right in back of a truck stop.  I knew there was a KOA two miles down the road, so I headed there.  For only $5 more, this campground is 10 times better than the other one.
IMG_6343There are lots of trees here, and I think I’ve discovered where all the robins from up North have migrated to so far. 
_MG_6332Each of the cedar trees harbors multiple robins as they take advantage of the cedar berries that are perfectly ripe for their consumption.
_MG_6329With so many berries to chose from, the robins can be picky.
 _MG_6325It’s a matter of finding just the right berry to pick.
_MG_6322Aha!  That one looks perfect! 
_MG_6337Just like we toss our heads back to swallow pills, the robins do the same to swallow the berries.  I have often picked one of these cedar berries to roll between my thumb and finger to enjoy their pungent aroma.  It makes me think of gin.  :)  They have always been hard little rocks when I’ve done this, but today they were squishy like little blueberries.

What a bonanza for these migrating robins!  There must have been close to a thousand of them in the campground.  Mother nature knows how to take care of it’s own.  As Emma and I sat outside this early evening, we were also treated to the haunting calls of many sandhill cranes.  This was so much better than the sounds of the interstate behind a truck stop!

Tomorrow, I hope to put in about the same amount of miles and end up about 30 miles South of Salina, KS.  I’m very close to a time zone change, so I’ve decided to put my clocks ahead this evening so I won’t feel I’ve lost an hour shortly after I get on the road in the morning.  I’ll have to see if I can fool my inner clock into believing that.  :)
_MG_6314                                                                         THE END!! 

Thanks for stopping by….talk to you later,  Judy

21 comments:

  1. I often re-set my clocks before I go to sleep when traveling across country. It sure makes it easier if you are just a few miles from the time zone change, especially if you're going to lose an hour. I don't mind so much if the gain is on my side!

    Very nice robin pictures. Living for so many years in Cincinnati I loved watching the zillions of robins, especially when they had a nest of baby chicks.

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  2. Early last week the Robins were gathering in large groups in the forest here & I knew they were getting ready to head out. This week they are all gone so I'm glad to see you have been getting some great pics of them on their way south.

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  3. I just never get tired of looking at your photos...even the butt end of a bird.

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  4. I have had "Travels with Emma" withdrawal since I haven't been online in forever! So good to refresh my spirit with your pics and stories. Aw...now I'm better! K

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  5. Ah....miles and miles of I-70! As a native Kansan I miss it so. Enjoy!
    Safe travels!

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  6. As usual the pics are Great! Have you ever thought of publishing them in a book?

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  7. We have Robins that stay here for the winter but most of them leave and now I know where they fly to. Great pictures!

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  8. What a great idea about the clocks! If we ever get out of this time zone I'll have to remember that. And how do you know what gin smells like, hmmmmm? :) Wave to Salina when you cruise by!

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  9. Great Robin photos! I used to have lots of cedars, and I didn't know they had berries. Probably wasn't paying attention. Drive safe tomorrow.
    Barbara

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  10. Hey Emma, if your heading east where are you going? after you run out of Kansas on I-70 there is MO, I wish I was home if you are heading that way, but you can always stop and say hi to Donna & Rigg's, Glad to see your trip is going smoothly, looks like the bird population is thinning out here in PA too. With night temps in the 30-40's . Be safe out there. Sam & Donna....

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  11. I'm glad to hear that you are staying at a KOA. The bird pictures are gorgeous!

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  12. Year ago, when traveling through Kansas, we stopped at a restaurant near Salina called Russell's. Don't know if it's still there, but the food was fabulous!

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  13. Great Pics. Those Robins are beautiful.

    Travel Safe

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  14. Oh, I love robins. Beautiful photos! Now I'm going to have to try out that berry-rolling thing to see what you're talking about. ;)

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  15. It's amazing how you always find birds to take great pictures of, but then, you are the "Bird Lady of Blogland"!

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  16. Great pictures, looks like you have mastered your new camera. Sounds like you made the right decision to travel a few more miles to stay at a nice campground.

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  17. Love the pics!... We have zillions of Robins here now (of course we have them most of the year) and the cardinals are everywhere, as are the Mockingbirds! It has been very dry here this Fall, so I have water out for them and they love it! They are so cute splashing around out there...

    Stay safe on your journey.

    Kerri in AL :-)

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  18. Nice to have the bird pictures back, but the ones in the park a few days ago were also great. Stay safe.

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  19. Amazing shots - I think it was worth the price of the campground just for the robin entertainment value!

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  20. You really capture a personality and cuteness on the robins... and they look so real and natural, like you are peeking into their world. Thanks for letting us glimpse into that!

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

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  21. Your photo posts are great! I wish I could take pictures like that.

    (I'm reading backwards...)

    Jennifer

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