Serene Scenery Sunday

Hello, everyone.  It's me, Cammie.  Well, our mom did it again.  She abandoned us for hours on end to go gallivanting around the countryside with Beth and her Border Collies.  Oh, sure, Dad was here with us and we had plenty of fun and it was really only part of the afternoon, but that's not the point.  The point is ... well, I'm not sure what my point was.  I need to be serene, don't I?  Let's take a look at some of the photos she took - maybe that will help us all.

They went to the Carnahan Creek area, a place Mom's never been before!  The creek itself feeds into Tuttle Creek Lake, where she and Beth usually go, but yesterday was a new adventure!  They passed through part of the Tallgrass Prairie:

The Tallgrass Prairie

Those are the Flint Hills out there. I guess that shot is a "twofer".

They saw lots of hawks:

Red Tailed Hawk

On their way, they came across an old cemetery.

Carnahan Garrison Cemetery wall

There were grave markers dating back to the Civil War. Here is one soldier's gravestone:

Here lies James M. Harper, Company K, 9th Kansas Cavalry

There's a gorgeous view of Carnahan Creek from up there ...

... and there is a chapel nearby:

Carnahan Creek Church, established 1867

There's even an outhouse behind the chapel:

Mom said it was large, as outhouses go (something about a "two-holer on each side") but very primitive. Let's leave it there!

When they got down to Carnahan Creek, they parked then walked a long way along the shoreline - along this old dirt road:

Way to break the rules, Mom!  I think she must be part Siberian!  Oh. And did I mention what very handsome Border Collies were there? Seamus and Moss!!!

Seamus

Moss

I'm glad Mom and Beth were well-protected!

Here's an artsy shot of the creek:

Carnahan Creek

They saw a lot of tiny birdies yesterday, in addition to the hawks I mentioned, like this Dark-Eyed Junco:

Dark Eyed Junco

An Eastern Bluebird:

Eastern Bluebird

Another little Junco (perhaps):

Perhaps another Junco

And all kinds of birdies! They saw Great Blue Herons, too, but they were mighty far away and flew off before Mom could focus!

Here's one last shot of the creek that Mom took out the window of the Jeep, as they were on their way home:

Carnahan Creek and the Flint Hills
OH!  And look, there's Mom in the rear-view!

Mom had a wonderful time and liked exploring somewhere new. I hope you enjoyed seeing her photos (click here for the full set, if you'd like to see more) and that they helped you feel serene!

I need to get back to my puppy now.  Duty calls!  Serene "I Love My Puppy" duty!

Cammie!