Saturday Night Storms...

Strong storms rolled through the area on Saturday, 11th July. This was just a few hours after we had returned from Shakamak State Park. The low storm clouds created an apocalyptic atmosphere! The strong winds even knocked out our power for a few hours during the night.

Washington Electricity department inspect the power lines.

Predators of the Insect World...

We are having issues with aphids on this one plant just off our front stoep. Thankfully, we have ladybirds and a juvenile wheel bug on the case! They are both beneficial predators to have in the garden.

The aphids are on the leaves above this ladybird.

The juvenile wheel bug on the prowl.

Saturday Shakamak Hike...

We went to Shakamak State Park for the afternoon on Saturday, 11th July. We hiked a new trail to the dam wall of Lake Kickapoo, on the south-west side of the park. It was another beautiful day spent outside - before some summer storms rolled through later in the evening.

Family selfie before the hike.

A tongue of water.

Wild blackberries.

Looking roughly north over Lake Kickapoo.

Large pretty flowers.

There were droves of insects on these plants.

Really big tree in the forest.

Moody skies as storms get closer.

Earthworm Delivery...

This is probably the strangest online order and delivery we've received while in the USA. 250 earthworms to help keep our soil and compost healthy! :)

This delivery is certainly perishable!

The earthworms moving out into their new home. :)

Cycle to the Ramseys...

I went for a cycle to the White River at The Ramseys north-west of us recently. It was a little further than this family ride we did back in May. It was pretty cool to see the old Max G. Ramsey Memorial Bridge there that dates from 1903. The cycle ride itself was about 25 kms (16 miles) and was a good workout on my new (used) Cannondale road bike. :)

I crossed into Knox County on my ride. The White River forms the natural boundary between Daviess and Knox Counties.

The picturesque White River.

I made sure not to drop anything as I crossed the bridge!

The houses by the river are all on stilts due to recurring flooding.

Leaving the river community and heading back to Washington.

The fields here also fall victim to frequent flooding.

Though to be fair, they have essentially planted crops in a former wetland area.

Crossing over Prairie Creek.

I arrived back home after 9pm at night!

Lego Owls...

Riaan wanted me to make him a Lego owl recently. Lots of people have built owls out of Lego in the past, and so there was no shortage of guidelines online. Eliza then wanted one too, and we had just enough pieces for her cute little snowy owl! :)

Riaan's stuffed animal owl with his Lego owl.

Riaan and Eliza with their owls. They were so excited! :)

Insects and Pollinators...

Here are a selection of busy little insects that have stopped by our garden recently. Bees, butterflies and birds are all welcome here! :)

A bee collects some pollen from this flower.

These two insects enjoy the watermelon flowers.

Another variety of bee heads for the pollen.

This fellow's enjoying the mint flowers.

A wary dragonfly keeps an eye on proceedings.

Fun Family Selfie...

I love my sweet family! :)

We make the funniest faces! :)

Heavy Rain...

We had a pretty heavy thunderstorm back on Saturday, 27th June. It dumped around two inches (or 50mm) of rain in the space of an hour or so, and this was our back garden during the worst of it. Thankfully, the water drained away pretty quickly as the below photos reveal. :)

At the peak of flooding during the storm.

49 minutes later. There is a storm drain to the right just out of shot.

Pregnancy Care Centre 5 km Fun Run...

We took part in the local Pregnancy Care Centre's 5 km fun run/walk fundraiser a couple of weeks ago. We had a lot of fun together on a mild Saturday morning. I pulled the kiddos in their red wagon for most of the way, which was quite hard work!

The kiddos had a blast in their wagon! :)

Father's Day 2020...

Father's Day in the USA (and in South Africa) was on Sunday, 21st June. I had a lovely day. Candace and the kiddos made a delicious breakfast and also treated me with chocolate eclairs for a mid-morning tea treat. I also enjoyed a cycle later in the day! :)

My kind of breakfast right here!

Chocolate eclairs - yum!

Early evening cycle ride.

The road less travelled was the way I went.

West Boggs Lake...

We visited West Boggs Lake for a family function a while back. Eliza and I went for a walk and spent some time at the water's edge, watching the waves and boats on the lake. My heart is happiest when I'm close to water!

Love being outdoors with my kiddos!

View across West Boggs Lake.