Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Guest Post - Keri from Ivy Clad

I'm so happy to be here with you while Clare is on her incredible adventure.


One of my favorite red barns, on last week's Sunday afternoon drive route.


For the last 10 years, with my husband and now two daughters, I've made my home in the southwest part of Missouri, a part of the United States where life runs at a slightly slower pace than you'll find in large American cities. Small farms dot the landscape of outlying areas, and picturesque red barns are easily spotted on hobby farms and acreages just minutes from town. Last weekend, I drove by one of my favorite red barns in the area, & snapped these photos with my phone.


The red barn, above, sits next to a double pond divided by a red & white painted bridge. 


Missourians are, in general, fiercely independent people. They are adventurers at heart, too, and their love for the outdoors is second-nature. I have a feeling Clare would love them. 


Around here, ample rivers & lakes play host to a favorite regional pastime-- canoeing & kayaking. In the last few years, my husband has become an avid kayaker spending hours in winter and summer, even in snow and ice, kayaking on a nearby lake. I am not nearly that committed to the sport but will occasionally go along for a leisurely paddle. If you're a very casual paddler, take these tips from me for a smooth ride: 1) Go in a tandem boat. 2) Sit in the seat that offers the least steering & power capability. 3) Take an avid paddler with you who won't mind paddling double-duty for a few (or more) strokes. 4) Take a camera, even an iPhone will work. When you're showing off your photos to your friends, no one will suspect you were a complete free-loader in the boat.




When I took these photos a few weeks ago, my husband & I were paddling the Passat G3, a tandem kayak made by Seaward Kayaks in British Columbia, Canada. It's a fantastic boat, both swift and stable. We'd made a make-shift seat in the center hatch for our 3-year-old daughter who happily wiggled and danced & generally did her level best to flip us the entire trip. 



From the larger area of the lake where we began, we paddled into narrower, shallow areas that lead to a nature reserve. Here joggers & walkers join the bird watchers and photographers on foot trails hoping to spot white-tail deer & birds, & sometimes the occasional bald eagle during the right season.

This small white-tail doe eyed me while I interrupted her dinner.

The little doe, now hiding from me. You can just see her flank through the brush.

I hope you've enjoyed this little peak into my part of the world as much as I've enjoyed telling about it.


You can often find me here on this blog in the comments section, chatting with Clare. You can also find me at my blog, Ivy Clad.


Cheers!

Keri

~

Thank you, Keri, your pictures of kayaking in Missouri and the red farmyard barn are spectacular! I really hope to visit some day. 

Please pop by Ivy Clad and say hi to Keri. You'll see her magnificent gardens and more on life in Missouri, USA.

Back soon from my South American adventure!

Clare x

17 comments:

  1. Great getting know Keri and I love the photos.

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  2. Good job, Keri! Beautiful photos. I'm a sucker for a red barn, too.

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    1. Hope you are well, dear Connie. I agree, they are gorgeous photos!

      C x

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  3. Clare, thank you again for the opportunity! I'm looking forward to reading about your trip.

    xo,
    Keri

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  4. how beautiful keri, that image with the barn is so serene and enchanting.

    now i am going to look around claires blog
    debra

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  5. Hi, Keri and Clare ~
    Enjoyed this guest post from my friend, Keri! Such beautiful photos. So calm and serene!! Such a treat and departure from busy DC!
    Cheers,
    Loi

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Loi Thai. I adore your blog!

      Clare x

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  6. Keri

    Those pics remind me of my home state Indiana. I was raised on a lake...beautiful!!

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    1. Sounds perfect, Cindy! Thanks for stopping by.

      Clare x

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  7. Hi Keri, through Clare..... Beautiful photos which bring back many memories of us canoeing with our two sons in Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada...the best vacations raising our boys....they still prefer to escape this way even now...except they white water canoe these days....thank you for sharing this lovely post Keri, N.xo

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    1. Hi Nella, thanks for your visit! I think I'll have to take up canoeing or kayaking now ;-)

      Clare x

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  8. Thanks for the boating tips for a blogger. love love the red barn in that beautiful setting...Janey

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Thanks for sharing on Soulful Mama ~ Clare x