One of the incredible things about Montana is how the rain comes in. Getting to see rainbows? That’s just a bonus.
Red Eft
I saw this pretty little juvenile Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) on my hike through Rutland State Park. Isn’t she cute?
Matt’s Picks: AA= #1 (All Animals Are Equal)
Recently, I have decided to listen again to one of my all time favorite albums by one of my all time favorite artists, AA= (All Animals Are Equal) aka Takeshi Ueda. His first album under the moniker of AA= is the appropriately tited #1. The name AA= is a direct reference to George Orwell’s Animal Farm and even the mascot for AA= is a pig. The pig motif is present in all of AA=’s artwork and music videos. I ordered #1 when it was initially released in 2009. It is a masterpiece of fast-paced hard electronic rock music.
The tone of the album is pessimistic, but ends with a feeling of hope. The intro track titled “4Legs Good, 2Legs Bad” is pretty down on the human race, outlining the seven deadly sins before going right into the second track named “I hate human.” The third track is the lead single, “Peace!!!” It has a message about taking action if change is going to occur. Each track keeps with the theme of all animals being equal and eventually the human animal is added into the mix. The final track “R.I.P.” is all about saying goodbye to each of the deadly sins after equality has (hopefully) been achieved.
Overall I would give #1 a rating of AA+. The hard and fast electronic sound is not for everyone, but I absolutely love it. Standout tracks include: “Peace!!!,” “Loser,” “Roots,” “All Animals Are Equal,” and “Starry Night.” Give this one a listen.
Spooky Sunday: Prison Camp Rd.
Hello dear readers. This is the first in a new series of reviews about investigating abandoned places. Today I visited Prison Camp Rd. in Rutland, Massachusetts. Prison Camp Rd. is located on the grounds of Rutland State Park. During the warmer seasons, you can drive the 2 miles to the site. I chose to walk the road. Upon arriving, one can see some cement structures where some of the old buildings used to be.
The largest structure appears to have been used for storage. Graffiti is pervasive at the site. Inside is always nice and cool. Not far from here is a free standing building that one can climb (carefully) up onto the roof. Back toward the road is an old tunnel one can walk down. Be careful as the pathway to the entrance has large holes where one could accidentally fall down into the tunnel. I met some fellow adventurers and showed them how to access the tunnel in the safest manner possible. I have been to this location multiple times, but have not experienced anything otherworldly. It is just a cool place to visit if you have some time and the curiosity to explore. If you go, be careful and have fun.
Sundial Bridge on the Sacramento RIver
Yesterday I really enjoyed seeing and photographing the Sundial Bridge, a dramatic pedestrian and bike bridge over the Sacramento River in Redding, CA. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, this bridge uses a working sundial gnomon to attach the cable supports. If you are in the area, it is a great place to stop!
The bridge has a number of asymmetrical features, including the truss below the bridge. If you take the trail down to look at it, there’s also a nice pavilion area for gatherings.
Grilled Grass Fed Beef (Steak is Good Food)
I tried some locally sourced grass fed beef recently. I grilled up two cuts of meat for my father and I to share along with a heaping helping of veggies. Here is the result:
Into the Lair of the Beast
When I wandered into the forest to get my daily exercise, I encountered what appeared to be the lair of an animal. It looked like a cozy place to stay for a coyote, bobcat, or small bear. As I approached the entrance to the cave-like rock outcropping, I heard a howl in the distance. I picked up a stick for protection (just in case it came closer), and noticed what appeared to be the left overs of the creature’s lunch lying at my feet. (See Below) I did not see the creature on this day. It is still lurking out there, behind my house…
Chocolatey Mint Black Tea
I confess that I have a new love when it comes to minty tea beverages. Normally, I am a big fan of a super-strong, extra minty flavor punch in my mint tea. Ever since I brought this box back from a trip to Canada, I have been finding this tea in my rotation. President’s Choice Chocolatey Mint Black Tea is a smoother, more sophisticated blend. It contains caffeine, which means it is a great drink to have on those mornings where I get started a bit slower.
I was skeptical about the chocolate flavor in the tea, because I have tried more than one tea blend that used cocoa powder and just came away with an off, bitter taste. With this tea, I feel like I get to have everything: the flavor benefits of drinking minty hot chocolate with the added benefit of an energy boost, no sugar crash, and no calories!
Unfortunately, I don’t know how to buy this tea outside of physical stores in Canada. If you’re headed there, will you buy me a box?
“A nose like that has one advantage: it keeps your feet dry in the rain.”
About 3 months ago, I was in the rainforests on the island of Borneo, sleeping next to bands of proboscis monkeys. They’re funny looking, with big noses, prominent bellies, and long tails. I laughed while watching their playful antics at dusk and the early morning hours – they jump between branches, trying to find the best place to sleep. I am so grateful that I was able to have the chance to see them in person. Proboscis monkeys are endangered because they can only survive in the rainforest on one island in the world, and there is still a big problem with trees being cut down to sell and to make space for palm oil plantations.
I’m posting about them today in honor of Earth Day. If you donate to any of a number of wildlife organizations before the end of April, Google will match your donation. If you’re willing to donate even a little sometime this year, it is worth it to do it in the next week from the link below. As a fun bonus, the Google Doodle has a quiz to tell you which animal you are. I found out that I am a wooly mammoth. Take the quiz yourself, and let me know what your spirit animal is!
https://www.google.com/doodles/earth-day-2015
*PS- quote from the play Cyrano de Bergerac
Let’s get ready to Rhumba (Not Really)
Did you know that a group of rattlesnakes is called a rhumba?
This is not a rhumba. These little guys are the symbol of my home state of Massachusetts. Can you see all three of them? Do you know which type of snake they are? These are Garter Snakes. I spotted them while on a hike this afternoon. A group of snakes can be referred to as a den, nest, bed, pit, or knot. Next time you are out in the forest, keep your eyes peeled for snakes! These ones are harmless, so please don’t be afraid and please don’t accidentally step on or hurt them. Happy April 15th!
the mint tea drinkers society 