autumn already?

It's been a long time since Eunice walked into and out of my life (more specifically my backyard) that sunny day in June. How did it get to be almost October? And why did it have to rain all last week?

I didn't know if it was the weather, the fact that Mom, Hayley and Cece came and left, or the cold I've acquired, but I've been in a funk all week. Finally, today I figured it out, or rather this All Songs Considered post did:

"For the most part, the Arizona band Sister Cities [admitted] it's a little tough to be unhappy when the sun is always shining. "

Not only do I appreciate this band/song for how much they sound like Camera Obscura, but they nailed it. I'm just not quite used to not having continuous sunshine. Don't get me wrong, I love fall and I love South Carolina, but it was especially good in Arizona when shorter days meant temperatures dropping, sun still shining, and the perfect time to do everything it was too hot to do in the summer.

But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy fall South Carolina style. With Mom and Cece's help, I got a lot accomplished in the backyard: a container garden planted, two plots rototilled, back porch cleaned up, and a wheelbarrow purchased. Now it's time to get back to my most favoritest of hobbies: dicking around in the backyard.

Mom gets stuff done. 

I want to get out there right now and start shoveling something or another, but I realize that a lot has happened since June, so in case you were wondering, here is what I did with the rest of my summer.

-- Caitlin and Kevin were en route from New Jersey to Texas and got to stop to visit for a few days. Luckily, they got to see some of my favorite things this area has to offer: the goat farm, a waterfall, and the Kays' lake house. Plus, it reminded me that those hookers better (and this probably hurts for some of you to hear) end up at Duke next year. Especially now that Caitlin has officially set a life goal of raising goats. Maybe I can help speed that process along.

The view from the lake house's porch. To its floating porch.
I think happiness may be linked to square outdoor lounge space.

At Opossum Creek Falls 

-- I went to the Edisto Island. It was awesome. There was swimming, kayaking, bike riding, delicious food, and fun people that liked playing games. And beer. Like I said, it was awesome.

A road on the way to Botany Bay, where we kayaked.
We also biked in a marshy state park with raised paths.
Are you getting how awesome it was?
(I did not take this picture. I took no pictures there.)

-- We tried eating wild plants, and kinda failed. As it turns out, arrowhead and arrow arum leaves look strikingly similar, but their tubers taste distinctly different. The latter contains a substance called calcium oxalate, which happens to be the exact makings of a kidney stone. Only time, not even beer, can fix the feeling of a million little nano-needles in your mouth, believe me.

Wanted Arrowhead...

... got Arrow Arum

-- the 4th of July was far more relaxing than last year. We played with sparklers and watched fireworks in Pendleton on the 2nd, then I headed up to Cece and Bob's for some good ol' fashioned R 'n R.

--Dad and I went to Utah. We hiked King's Peak (highest in UT) with no ailments to speak of except the regret of leaving the PBR tall boy in the car. This trip wasn't just a day hike. We spent four nights here among the wildflowers:

Pointing towards the peak from my yoga rock.
Stretching is essential for trips like this.

And the bugs...

... the bugs...
(Can you see all three on that 6" strip of leg?!)

... the bugs!!
(Black dots on the Boy Scouts' goat are 'squiters)
And goats!!

Actually, the bugs weren't that bad. They were certainly annoying, but like I kept telling Dad, they are just there to ensure that no one sticks around too long and mucks up the place. It's way too pretty for that.

We saw tons of awesome wildlife: itty bitty baby birds, furry eared squirrels, marmots, woodpeckers, chipmunks, mule deer, and even mountain goats on crazy cliffs. But by far my favorite was the moose. And when I say the moose, I really want to say the meese 'cause we saw several: male, female, and baby! If I had previously made a bucket list, I would be checking that off now.

Tiny birdies. Almost stepped on them getting water.

The mosquito breeding ground.

-- Kitty's summer was a little rough. After battling fleas for several weeks, we had to resort to a haircut. Needless to say, she was not excited but it's growing back nicely.

Wait... that's not Kitty...

Oh, there she is!