Another Old Barn

Another Old Barn, originally uploaded by mhall209.

Now that I am looking, there are a lot of old barns in the areas I am. Sometimes they are right out in the open, and other times I have to walk over a berm or look between the trees. This one I had to go over the berm, through the weeds, and then look through the trees!

A girl and her frog

A girl and her frog, originally uploaded by mhall209.

Today my wife and I went to the Calaveras County Fair, AKA the Frog Jump. Our county fair is a take off from Mark Twain's story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" which was written in the gold rush days when Mark Twain lived in the area. For the last 68 years on the third weekend in May people come from miles around to competitively jump their frogs. The fair has all the other things a typical American county fair has; rides, animals, and exhibits. But here the focus is the frogs.

You can bring your own frog or rent one. This little girl rented one. The way it works is you set the frog on the little pad, in the picture it is a small circle of carpet. Then you do whatever you can to coax the frog to jump! The distance is measured from the starting point to the tail of the frog when it lands from its third hop.

This was the first time I actually sat and watched the frog jump part of frog jump! I just wnated to get a couple good shots. Mission accomplished.

Old Truck

Old Truck, originally uploaded by mhall209.

I had an errand after school that took me down a road I had never been on before. I thought what the heck, lets just take this east and see where it goes. I hadn't gone too far when I found this truck. I don't recall ever seeing a truck like this before. I am not too sure which is more unusuall, the truck or the house behind it! A rather different looking house. The people who live there were in the driveway (the truck is in the yard) so I asked if I could take a picture or two. They were very nice and I got my shot.

Barn and Roses

Barn and Roses, originally uploaded by mhall209.

Take a left, take a right. I need to vary the old commute a little more often. When I do I find cool stuff. Like this old barn with roses. That green tree at the edge of the barn is an old cherry tree, and the cherries are almost ripe. I bet they are extra good! I will never know as I am not going to climb the fence!

I predict a detour in my future!

Spring Fruit

Spring Fruit, originally uploaded by mhall209.

The ride home today was particularly difficult today. My wife and I did not carpool, so I had the car to myself. Sort of. I had these in the passenger seat. First fruits of the season! The road side stands are open! Do you know what it is like driving 60 miles with these just inches away. The smell! I so wanted to eat everyone of them. But I resisted and only ate a few.

Let the fruit season begin! Woo Hoo!

Tabeau Road

Tabeau Road, originally uploaded by mhall209.

This is the first barn I have seen with a painted orange room. Very unique. The weathered wood, the fresh green grass and trees really set off the very different roof. This is one of my favorite barns, also a new find!

Empty Barrel

Barrel, originally uploaded by mhall209.

In rural agricultural areas you come across strange things sometimes. This old barrel along a fenceline caught my eye. Seemes kind of fitting today. Att he end of the school year the students are all fresh and new, just bursting with life, and I feel like an old empty rusting barrel. Some days.