Star Photos III

I completely forgot to show this.

About two weeks ago, it was a new moon.  April 18th to be precise.  All the stars were aligned, sorry for the pun.  Clear night around 30° and I was home with nothing to do.

Perfect for some star trails!  So I waited until it got good an dark - after 10:00 PM.  Which was probably the most difficult part.  With the time change and the days getting longer the true night doesn't really happen until later.  Oh well thats the trade off for not having to wear snow pants, winter boots and balaclava.

I tried to center on Polaris, the north star.

When I got that done I set my lens to the widest angle it would manage. Then set the interval timer in the camera to take 200 pictures at 15 seconds each every 18 seconds.  (For you interested F5.6 and ISO 800).   Each image looked would look like the one above.

And I let it rip.  I sat outside with it for a while.  Listening to animals crunch through the woods.  However, this was going to take an hour, so I went back in the house and warmed up for a bit.

The next morning I pulled the pictures together, stuck them in the free software StarStax and processed the 200 pictures into one composition.

I almost got it perfectly centered.  In one hour the stars moved enough to provide those trails.  It also eventually lit up the tree in the corner.  I wish I would have moved closer to the woods, It may have provided even more foreground to the shot.  I probably won't have the opportunity to do it again until next year (at least with skeletal trees) as I would expect leaves to be on the trees next new moon.  I hope they do anyway.  

I have a few ideas of then next time I do this.  I really think I need to drive to some spots with less light pollution as well.  I shouldn't have to go too far.  

Ice Age Hike IV

I might as well rename this the Hikers blog. At Jenny's for Jadyn and Jenna's birthday I brought my Ice Age Trail maps and guidebook.  Talked about all the trails available around us and how we should do some of these soon.

Soon was yesterday.  I had some time and the weather was perfect again so I sent Mom a text and asked her if she wanted to go with me.  Surprisingly she did!  So I sat down and reconfigured a route that wasn't too long or too hard and gave her the plan.

We met at the Holy Hill Parking lot and headed to drop a car at the end point (Shannon Rd Lot) and then drove the other car to the starting point on Donegal Road.

The trail is Holy Hill and so the first hill was reasonable.  I wasn't sure how far we would make it the first 30 minutes...

But then we hit a scenic overlook.  

And eventually we go right to the base of Holy Hill and cross the road leading into the Chapel.

Near the end we found a nice little bench, had some trail food (granola, jerky and energy gels) Took a little break and headed to the end.

All in all we did 3 miles total.  Not bad for a first timer!  I still have a few segments to knock out to get my Meander the Mid Moraine trail patch.  

Here is the elevation graph.  See Mom 3 peaks total and a nice gradual return.  

All Pictures Here:

Google Album
Flickr Album

Another Saturday...Yes Another Hike (part III)

With all the rain of the week before, we really had a great weekend.  Got 10 miles on the bike in, washed a car, hit the gym, played basketball and did another 8 miles on the Ice Age Trail. (I am sore like you wouldn't believe today)

This is the last northerly section of trail in Washington county.  I started where I stopped last time. At Sunburst Ski hill and took it into Sheboygan county. Ending where I do a lot of off road biking, New Fane.

Weather was in the mid 60's very sunny and little wind.

Still somewhat urban as we still go past the east side of Kewaskum, you could still hear cars and farm machinery.  Eventually that fades.

It starts by going under Hwy 45....

Unless its flooded.

The trails we dry, a concern I had after the 3" of rain we got during the week.  Only a few spongy spots. The rest was perfect.

Lots of dead fall everywhere and some green just trying to peek through.  It will be interesting to hike these sections again in the summer and then again in the fall.  Completely different scenery I am sure.

Eventually we leave lowland and farmland behind and enter state forest.  

The trail crosses Highway H, then Highway 28.  Most of it along a high ridge. I pass the loop to one of the backpacking shelters. 

The trail is mostly hardwoods, with little sections of tall and dark pine.  

Another 8 miles....As almost as if I planned it, wait I did.   Eight miles in about 3 1/2  hours.  Only 2 and a half actually hiking.  Between taking pictures, stopping for a few trail snacks and talking to people you meet (and even know) it's easy to pass some the time.  What's next?  Well if I want my Washington county IAT patch I gotta go south for the remainder.  From County line rd in Richfield through Holy Hill, Pike Lake, Slinger and Cedar lake.  Another 2 or 3 days total to get all 45 miles plus in.  

Another graph of the elevation on the hike,  It might look like a lot but it's not that noticeable.

Again all the pictures are in Google Albums or in Flickr and the Track log can be accessed Here

Another Saturday another hike.

As the weather is still a bit chilly to get on the rivers and lakes (for me anyway) and fishing season a month away I still want to get outside for some fresh air.  Again on Saturday I turned to the Ice Age Trail.

This time I was equipped a little better.  I used the 20% off and REI dividend to grab a new set of boots.  I still got a blister.  I actually think it was the old one from last week flaring up.  Plus you need to break these things in.

Back to the hike.  This time I started where I finished last time.  The trailhead at Culvers in West Bend.

Up the hill looking back at Culvers.

This trail took me through West Bend and into Kewaskum, ending at Sunburst Ski hill. Almost 8 miles.  The day was a bit warmer than last time but was it ever windy.  Not bad in the kettles but on the road and open areas, it made for a some difficult temperature regulation.  Jacket off, working up a sweat, take a break, windy, sweaty, instant chill.  Jacket back on start warming up again.  

Still some snow to be seen

I had company

Part of a Geocache.

Being the Ice Age Trail it was hilly and rocky and interesting landscape to see. And the trail is drying out nicely.  Not nearly the mud pits of last week. 

Although I thought this West Bend section wasn't as nice as the previous one, The Kewaskum segment made up for it.  From here to Fond du Lac County its pretty much all state forest so the urban element of the trail is over.  This section also had quite a bit of road connects.  Meaning some sections of the trail were actually public road ways.  Connecting segment to segment.  One particular length was almost 2 and a half miles.  Almost all uphill.  It just makes it boring and you really think about the miles as you see straight strips of asphalt. Plus the added concern of traffic is there.  

This took me a total of 3 hours and 15 minutes.  Only 2 and a half hours of that actually walking.  Taking a break for some snacks, taking pictures enjoying the outdoors made for another enjoyable afternoon.

Maiden voyage in new boots. Not bad.  I have a year to return them for new ones if I don't like them or they don't fit well or fall apart. Thanks REI!

Next up?  another 8-9 mile section in the Kettle Moraine State Forest (North).  Anybody interested let me know.  I know I talk to myself plenty, why not join and make me seem a bit less crazy?  On second thought just come because you want to. 

There are no bugs at this time, but there are no leaves either,  Soon it should look completely different, I will probably do these segments again in summer to see the difference.

As last entry had a picture of the elevation graph so here it is again:

Full Photo Album Here   I have only 30 or so pictures, I took over 100.  It's hard to pick the interesting ones. I have been using Flickr as well, That album is here (same thing different look). I put some effort into geotagging these photos, take a look at the map if you find one you like.  Might be interesting to see where it was actually take.  Lastly the track to see the overview of the hike is HERE.