Elton circular via Nassington

We left Elton from River End, past the disused watermill (dangerous building, keep out), over the lock and footbridge , and followed the river for almost a mile, past a footbridge, and on until the path turned left (north-west) across several fields. Conditions were a little damp - mainly from long wet grass near the river, and sticky mud over the fields.




We reached the road at Nassington, and were pleased to pause even though we had walked little more than two miles.





A quick change of plan to avoid too much mud and long grass was called for, and we decided on an alternative route. Our way through the village took us through the churchyard. The church porch offered tempting seats for a snack break.




We were able to have a look inside.

Nassington church from Woodnewton Road

Then we walked out of the village on the Woodnewton Road, which climbed to Newton Hill before reaching a bridleway at a right-hand bend.

Onwards and upwards in sunshine

We turned left along the bridleway, which was a bit soggy in places, but passable. The track joins the Nene Way. We followed this for a hundred yards or so, before taking a left turn through a strip of woodland and across more fields.

Barry leads us into the woods

The path continued over fields - not so slippery as the previous ones, though a trifle sticky.

We could see Fotheringhay church over to our right.

Distinctive but very distant

The path took us past Park Lodge, across a minor road between Nassington and Fotheringhay, then on and by a dismantled railway. Looking at the map this was where we had to avoid a very large 'puddle'! On we went until we reached the footbridge we crossed earlier. We were almost back to Elton.

Plenty of water in the Nene, and clouds looming

Then back past the lock and the watermill, to the car.

Lyndon Cemetery

Lyndon Cemetery is located on the south side of 245th street, about a mile west of U.S. 75 and a mile north of the town of Lyndon in Valley Brook Township, Osage County, Kansas. The first time I visited the gravesite of my 3rd Great Grandparents, Lysander and Lydia Robison Joslin, was in the summer of 1986. Their marker is the first tall one, left of center in the picture below, which is looking towards the south and a little east, taken at about 9:30 a.m. I didn't know where their marker was located then but when I got out of the car and started walking, I went straight to their stone. That was the first time something like that had happened to me and it was a mystical experience. I had no trouble finding their marker this time either.



The cemetery has grown considerably since 1986. The view below was taken about 11 a.m. and is from the south side of the center road, looking north-northeast and shows about 1/3 of the cemetery. Lysander and Lydia's stone is a bit north of the clump of trees in the center of the picture.



When I was there in 1986, Lydia's inscription on the east side of the gravestone was difficult to read. That hasn't changed. However, it is amazing what a little water, a soft bristle brush, a towel and the right light will do. . .



1. The inscription before cleaning.
2. Using a little water and the soft bristle brush helps brings out the inscription.
3. With a little more water and using a towel. The green color comes from the lichen and moss that was growing on the stone. As I continued to clean the stone with water and a towel and remove the green stuff, the stone actually became more difficult to read again.

The inscription reads "LYDIA R. / Wife of / LYSANDER P. / JOSLIN / Died / Jan. 25, 1899 / AGED 73 YS 3 M / 15 D"



The inscription for Lysander is on the west side of the stone. It reads " LYSANDER P. / JOSLIN / Died / May 14, 1899 / AGED / 74 YS 13 D." I was waiting for the sun to move so the lighting would be better but I had forgotten to charge the camera battery the previous night, so this is the best shot I got of his inscription.

I spent about two hours at the cemetery listening to the wind blowing through the trees and across the hilly plains. And enjoying the sunshine. As time went by, the clouds moved in and the good light was lost. And that is when I decided it was time to come on home.

Photographs © .. Rebeckah R. Wiseman (taken November 28th)

Other posts in this series on my trip to Missouri and Kansas:

• On the Road
• Still on the Road...
• Baxter Springs
• I'm not in Kansas anymore!
• Past its Prime (An Old Schoolhouse in Kansas)

Volcano's Out

Climbing rangers have recently been spotted in the park. Check back soon for some updates related to climbing, skiing, and park access. Hope everyone had a good winter!

Ski of Dreams

After spending 36 solid hours stuck in our tent at high camp, we were treated to fresh turns all the way back to Paradise.

Jefferson OH to Celina OH

Last night we had Rene and Mira over for dinner and then we played Mexican Train with them. We have to get this game down before we head to Alaska with the other champion players. We had so much fun with them. It was hard saying goodbye to them, but we at least know we are very likely to see them again unlike many of the people we meet along the way.



Today we left Thousand Trails in Jefferson to head to Kozy Kamper in Celina, Ohio. We had a very short travel day and it was also a smooth one. We are excited to explore a new part of Ohio, and this one is on what was at one time the largest man made lake in America.



Still living the life in Ohio!

The Drawing Board

I find it enormously satisfying to follow the framebuilding process from the drawing board. Maybe it is because as a painter, I have grown accustomed to "needing to know" the process that underlies the finished object.

You can always spot a painter among the crowds in a museum or an art gallery: They are the one trying to get close enough to a painting to see the brush strokes, examining the side of a canvas, looking for cracks in the paint, possibly even sniffing at it.

This habit has followed me as I explore the world of custom bicycles. In the photo above is a drawing board of a local frame builder whose work I greatly admire - the same person responsible for this lovely bottom bracket.

Hot, Hot, Hot

The temps are soaring in Washington, and gaining altitude on Mt Rainier is one way to avoid the heat. The last two weeks of July and the first two weeks of August historically mark the highest success rates and most reliable weather for the peak. If you're climbing, leave early, as the freezing level is hovering around 15,000 feet.

Recent mountain achievements include Jason Edwards personal climbing benchmark. Jason successfully made his 300th summit climb of Mt. Rainier on July 12th. Jason joins an elit clan of guides (there are only 6) who have more than 300 summits. The current summit record is held by George Dunn, who has over 480 successful ascents.

In other news, we've updated the route condition reports for the Kautz, DC, and K Spire to name a few. Please keep the updates coming.