The ground in the woods is hard as asphalt, but little snow. Got up to 0C/32F today, pleasant with no wind. I hiked throughout a valley in the woods, and eventually climbed down a steep embankment to get to some exposed gravel on the edge of a frozen river. While in the woods, I eyeballed an old vertebrae bone, off some large animal, perhaps a moose from years gone by. Presently it's soaking in hydrogen peroxide to whiten it up somewhat, then I will give it a few coatings of a mixture of 50% Elmer's glue/50% water to give it a nice shine and protect it. At one point, climbing up an embankment, My eyes caught something blue sticking out of the ground under an old fallen tree. I pried and prodded it with my relic shovel, to discover that it was an old porcelain pot or soup bowl with a small handle attached to it.
While I was at the frozen river's edge, I was scanning some exposed gravel, and did find a 1971 penny, an older pull tab and some fishing tac. The area I was hiking, often times gives up some old dino bones, and bits of petrified wood. When I got home, I gave the petrified wood a good scrubbing with soap and water, then a couple of coats of mineral oil to help highlight the various various layers (rings) on the wood.
Another great day to be out! Beats sitting in front of a TV or using up precious time on a cell phone. Life is good!
