Off on a journey

July 25, 2022 by Mike Powell

Normally I try to do a posting to my blog every day, but for the next three weeks my posting schedule will be much more erratic. I am in the final stages of packing my car for a trip to visit my son and his family outside of Seattle, Washington. There are multiple decision points along the way and I have not yet decided on my final route, but no matter how I go, it is likely to be about 3,000 miles (4828 km) each way.

I have some camping gear with me, including a water jug that holds six gallon (23 liter), so I may well be spending some time disconnected from the virtual world. I’ll try to take some photos along the way and will share them when I am able.

I am leaving you with a shot of a pretty little butterfly, which I think is a Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) perched on some Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa). I love the different shades of orange in the image.

In case some of you do not know it, my KIA Soul, in which I am driving out West, is orange in color. It is a coppery orange and not a pumpkin orange and it definitely stands out in a parking lot. My license plate holder has SOUL on it and my license plate itself is “BLESS MY.”

I am attaching a couple of photos of my car from January 2016, after a big snow storm. So many of us throughout the Northern Hemisphere are suffering from oppressive heat and I thought that the sight of snow might cool us off a little. I’ll close with a joke that I say on-line today that is a perfect fit for my quirky sense of humor—”Just be thankful that it is not snowing. Imagine shoveling snow in this heat!”

Posted in Butterflies, Flowers, Insects, Nature, Photography, Summer, Travel, wildlife | Tagged Asclepias tuberosa, Butterfly Weed, Canon 50D, Fort Belvoir VA, Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge, Pearl Crescent, pearl crescent butterfly, Phyciodes tharos, Tamron 180mm | 16 Comments

16 Responses

on July 25, 2022 at 10:24 am | Reply Holly Hoxeng

Good morning! I salute you for making the cross-country trip! I am going to Seattle on Thursday to see my cousin, but doing it the faster way, by air, hopefully without any complications! Enjoy your trip!!

____________________ Holly S Hoxeng 5981 Chivalry Dr Colorado Springs CO 80923 303-877-5373 (c) 719-574-0176 (h)

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on July 25, 2022 at 10:34 am | Reply Reed Andariese

Very nice butterfly image Mike! Hope you have a safe & nice trip to visit your son & family! Wow, that’s a lot of driving!
on July 25, 2022 at 11:56 am | Reply Wally Jones

Safe journey!
Enjoy yourself, takes lots of photos to share and don’t forget to come back.
on July 25, 2022 at 12:01 pm | Reply Annette Rochelle Aben

Have a delightful time!
on July 25, 2022 at 12:31 pm | Reply whatnext108146aea41f

Have a great trip!
on July 25, 2022 at 12:42 pm | Reply long4h2o

May your journey never trouble free,
May your eyes be open to new wonders,
May you always find a dry place to lay your head to sleep,
May you find your visit enjoyable,
May you reach your destination and return home safely,
And may you never be caught in a snowstorm without a shovel.
😆
on July 25, 2022 at 1:37 pm | Reply Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography

Enjoy 👍
on July 25, 2022 at 1:46 pm | Reply Steve Gingold

I’ve been seeing these quite a bit lately…one of the few butterflies I’ve come across. Catching them with open wings is a challenge.

Best of luck for a safe and enjoyable trip, Mike. That’s a lot of driving. I didn’t know that you had a son.
on July 25, 2022 at 1:51 pm | Reply Mitzy Bricker

🙂Have a grand trip, Mike! Here’s a funny for you: Gardeners spend all day in their beds!

Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
on July 25, 2022 at 2:18 pm | Reply Suzette Benjamin

Safe travels Mike. Blessing to you as you travel in your aptly appointed plated car.
on July 25, 2022 at 3:23 pm | Reply Eunice Miller

Have a wonderful trip is is always good for the SOUL.
on July 25, 2022 at 4:16 pm | Reply Ann Parziale

Safe travels to you!! We’ll look forward to whatever you are able to share with us.
on July 25, 2022 at 5:17 pm | Reply Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)

Safe travels Mike. Enjoy your trip.
on July 25, 2022 at 5:31 pm | Reply kenneturner

We wish you the best on your cross-country trip. Last August, we traveled 6,300 miles from Tucson up the east coast to Portland, Maine, and back. We will be watching you closely as we begin planning a trip to the northwest. Safe travels.
on July 26, 2022 at 12:42 am | Reply Ms. Liz

Happy travels Mike, looking forward to seeing your photos!
on July 26, 2022 at 9:06 pm | Reply Dan Antion

Safe travels, Mike. Enjoy the ride.