It's raining caterpiallars?

 

These guys were not there last night. These little black things are caterpillars.

 

I went for a short run this morning and when I got back to the house I had a seat on the steps leading into the house/to  the porch. I kept hearing this random dropping noise. It was too small for a branch but too soft sounding for an acorn.

 

When I turned around I saw these things all over the porch.

 

I am assuming the falling noise  was the caterpillars. I also came to the conclusion that these guys must have come falling from the sky or something. There were no trees directly over the house or porch so I am not sure.

 

My conclusions are they are actually on top of the house and are trying to learn to fly way before they have wings.

 

Or, they were actually being brought back to the nest of some bird, but they wiggled too much that right as the bird was flying over the house it feel out of it's mouth and to its doom.

 

Either way, my porch had a whole bunch of these things and they weren't moving. Gross.

Medal!

Medal for getting 3rd in my age group at a10k race.

This post ended up kind of a part two from my previous post Small Races. In that post I talked about one the advantages in smaller races was less people so slower people like me might actually have a chance to win to place. I had placed third in my age group in my last race. I didn't know that at the time and had went home before the awards had been announced.

Well, when I got home last night I found a package on my counter. New Dude had checked the mail and brought it and forgot to tell me about it.

When I opened it up, I was super excited to see they had been kind enough to mail me my MEDAL!

Technically I've gotten medals before, in some of the bigger races. I love those medals because they are usually for some longer races and any race I cross the finish line I count as a win.

However, this is my first medal I had won that wasn't by default. I agree a win is a win, but if you're one of 3, well it isn't the same as saying I was able to get third out of, oh lets say 7.

I am excited. I have my first medal. I had gotten 3rd at another race earlier this year, but hadn't waited around for the awards, I never received it. This one has arrived and I am thrilled.

Whoot whoot!

Alright, excitement still here, but I'll stop now.

Has anyone else won something you didn't know about and were surprised to find out later? Let me know your story with a comment below!

Hunt Club Weekend

This weekend, my adventure was a family gathering. New Dude came with me to meet the rest of siblings and family friends, and just other people that are apart of my life.

We left Friday night, a bit later then I had planned in my mind, but that is okay. One thing I am learning is that two people, apparently, take more time to get ready then one person.

We arrived that night, said our hellos, had a drink or two and headed to bed.

I had the pleasure of having crazy dreams about being stabbed and looking for help. Good thing it was just a dream because when I woke up it was time for pancakes. 

Soon we were setting up food, tables, all the guys started to pull out all of their toys, and by toys I mean guns of all sorts. They ranged from pistols to shot guns and rifles.

The boys spent a lot of time hanging out, talking, and shooting targets. Up the hill by the house was what in my mind, was the kids holding pen.

There were about 4 kinds 3-8 and about 5 babies a year or less old. It was toys, and diapers, and food, with a circle of women, grandpas, and moms hanging out talking.

Someone joked about this being a BYOB event, Bring Your Own Baby. I was like sorry, I just had beer.

It was a really great day. The food was fantastic, the company chill and fun. All the babies were entertaining to watch.

The boys had two shooting contests, one with shot guns and one with pistols. New Dude won the pistol competition. I was super excited for him!

We saw some people  fishing and pulled in a 53lb catfish. That things was huge.

New Dude and I went for a swim in the James River, where I found out that I have turned into a 5 year old. Little mineos trying to eat dead skin cells off my legs freaks me out. If sea weed touched me, I was also having issues. Most of the swimming was actually me climbing on New Dude while I was kicking my legs to keep the fish away. He mostly just laughed. Still fun, but I need to grow up a tad.

Random thought. What is it call sea weed if you can find it in lakes, steams, and rivers?

It was a great weekend. Lots of talk, stories, and fun and the rain held off enough not to make it too wet or hard.

On the way home we stopped at his grandpas house and then his folks house. It was going to be a little 2-3 hour visit, which turned into about a 7 hour visit. Apparently, they like me and New Dude, are also talkers.

Weekends like this just remind me how just hanging out with people, telling stories, and eating a little bit of food can be so much fun. Not every adventure requires helmets, power stuff, hours of hard work. Just a place where people can gather. The hunt club is by not means a resort, but it has everything you need, and is a great place for everyone to meet. The kids run around, the boys can be boys, the girls can sit and chat, and everyone walks away with a smile on their face.

Summer isn't over yet! Get out there and enjoy some outdoor fun with your family and friends!