Out and About

Not only can I see again after getting my new glasses, since being on Weight Watchers and losing over 30 lbs., I can walk again.   I had been doing  lot of staying home because moving was such an effort.  It was getting to the point where Zip would pull up in front of the grocery store and leave me out  because walking from the parking lot to the front door tired me out.

Ha!  Now I'm the first one out of the car and flying into the store.  You can't believe the difference that small amount of losing has made in my energy level. I now want to go places.

One of the places I've had in mind for a while that I thought would interest both of us, Zip being a fly fisherman and all, was the Fish Culture Station at Huntsdale. 
When I was in grade school (many, may years ago) we lived in Hanover PA.  One of our field trips was to Huntsdale to see the fish.  It as quite a trip!  My Dad, for the only time in my life, volunteered to be one of the drivers.  He was an avid trout fisherman so it held some interest for him.

At that time the hatchery ponds were long ditches in a grassy area.  Very natural and nice for walking.  There are still a few of the original ditches left, but now you can't easily get into them because of the fencing.

Now the fish are kept in concrete tanks.

Swirling masses of golden fish.  These are golden rainbow trout.  There are also bins of brown trout and brook trout, but they didn't photograph as dramatically.

Aren't they the most lovely color?

Inside the visitor center is information about fish, fishing, and other reptiles and amphibians that are native to our state.

A display fo snake skins.

I don't know what species of creature this is, but it's kinda scary!

We also went to Ashcombe Greenhouse.  Mostly gardening places are a springtime thing, but I also love them in the fall when the autumn plants and decorating are happening.

Do you have an old door just waiting for new life?  I love this idea!

Loads of colorful mums inside.

On the way home we stopped and purchased some of the last-of-the-season tomatoes.
The little green zebra stripe one was especially sweet and delicious.

It is so nice to drive around the countryside at this time of year.  The mountains are coloring nicely.

The farms are peaceful.  A horse enjoying the last of the warmer days.  The sky shows signs of things to come.  The weather report for the next few days is horrible winds and drenching rains.  I hope the worst of it passes on out to sea.  That doesn't seem to be what will happen. 

This little dirt road makes me want to hike right up over that hill to see what's down the other side.  I love fields dotted with cedar trees.

When we finally get home, there's the crab feast.  Brad and Kami have been working at a seafood stand on weekends.  We have been reaping the benefits by having a new kind of fish or shellfish each Saturday.

I haven't cracked, picked and eaten hardshelled crabs since I was a kid. 

They are great for people on a healthy eating plan.  Very low in calories and lots of aerobic activity getting them out of the shell!

The kitties thought they were yummy.  Come on guys, we're picking as fast as we can!

Try to stay safe, warm and dry if you are in the path of the storm.
Thanks for stopping by!