Holy cow it was cold today...

I picked a great day to hike all over the Neosho River Basin. As I approached my destination, I realized it wasn't just that the sun wasn't up yet, it was also that a thick layer of clouds had developed. I was further clued into the blowing northerly wind by the presence of snow and ice pelting the window of my truck.

And did I mention that I didn't really bring appropriate clothes?

So from 8 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon (with a half-hour break for lunch), I walked around looking at gravel bars, secretly grateful for the first time in my life that previous generations have so devastated the riverine environments that the 15-20 feet of channel degradation between field and stream bank was offering a modicum of protection from the wind.

Luckily I was wearing a flimsy pair of summer pants, so it only took about 30 minutes for the nerves in my legs to be permanently damaged, and thus cease sending little messages of protest to my brain.

I spent probably 45 minutes soaking in hot water before I felt warm again.

But worry not, the Neosho River will be protected...a little....by today's actions.

And it was actually way better than sitting in the office all day.

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I find myself relating more to Jay-Z than Tiger Woods.

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Parenting. A brief explanation as to why child # 2 will be arriving in a couple of months.

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In case you didn't know....Daisy Owl. Actually, there aren't that many, just start at the beginning.

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I guess that's it.