Expedition Africa!

Having a bit of spare time recently I booked passage to the continent of Africa for a brief visit. It proved to be a fascinating place indeed. On my arrival I asked the first inhabitants I met for directions but I'm afraid they weren't very much help. They were friendly, of course, but they seemed to find every question I asked them extremely funny and only laughed hysterically in response.



Unlike Caledon, the lands of Africa are not served by public transport in any form. I did, however, find this fellow who was more than happy to give me a ride for some distance.



Only one African I met was less than friendly. But I believe it was more out of shyness than rudeness as she thrust her head into the sand as soon as I approached her for an interview.



OK, I give up. What are we looking at?



Not all of Africa's amazing Nature is in animal form. Here I found some curious plants masquerading as stones. The bizarre paired leaves are swollen with stored water that is seasonally scarce in this area.



Near a village I encountered two lively monkeys climbing about. They were much too engrossed in their play to sit for an interview, but I was loath to interrupt them anyway as they appeared to be having so much fun.



A big farther along I wandered into a copse of trees with strangely patterned trunks.



Imagine my surprise when I gently knocked on the bark and subsequently learned that they were actually the legs of a two great camelopards!



Alas! My duties in Caledon called me home. So it was that I bid the continent of Africa farewell from atop a lovely waterfall. I must return again some day and continue my explorations!

Heavens Above!

On a recent afternoon whilst strolling about Caledon Kittiwickshire I came upon a curious looking structure. From where I stood it appeared to be a globe much like those that grace many a gentleman's study, but was of gargantuan size and surmounting a dignified stone building.



Walking around to the east side I discovered that I had found the Kittiwickshire Celestial Observatory. The sign clearly stated that visitors are welcome so I went inside.



On the ground floor I found two parlors with tastefully furnished sitting areas. The seats were quite comfortable and I could easily imagine spending time here chatting with friends before and after our visit upstairs.



Utilizing a built-in transportation system, I moved to the second storey where an observation deck presented a panoramic view of Kittiwickshire. One can see the commercial district clearly from here.



But the real treat awaits the visitor just one level higher. Here the night-time sky is presented as I've never seen it before! The scene is awe-inspiring. Any description I make would be woefully inadequate so I highly recommend that you make your way there soon. Thanks are due Mr. Nuclear Slingshot for bringing this wonder to our neighborhood.

Moving

I'm moving. An opportunity recently came to my attention that would provide me with a larger site for my home and lab in a lovely area that I just couldn't pass up. It wasn't an easy decision to make. I've grown fond of my friendly neighbors in Caledon Glengarry, the region's scenic landscape and its wildlife. And so I've packed up my posessions and departed that fair land.

It was so pleasant to work in my conservatory right at the water's edge. And I never got over the thrill of seeing Caledon Air Transport's craft floating majestically above.



I felt privileged to be able to contribute to Caledon's infrastructure in my own, small way with the construction of this simple bridge. It shall, of course, remain so I hope that visitors to Glengarry enjoy the view from it.



And while I'm on the subject of views, I must mention the awe I always felt living, as I did, in the shadow of Steam Sky City. This technological marvel is truly one of the brightest jewels in Caledon's crown. Dodging the odd bit of shrapnel now and then was a small price to pay for having such a fascinating neighbor.



Some things were easier to pack than others. Perhaps, once settled in my new home I'll be able to pursue the answers to the more elusive questions of my life.



For the time being my studies and inquiries shall wait. I've got a new home to build!

Hurricane in New Toulouse!!

I awoke this morning to a dispatch from New Toulouse reporting that a hurricane was under way. The storm is called Adolphe for unknown reasons and has ravaged all the regions. As rumors of zombies and alligators were added to the mix I grabbed my trusty firearm which I usually reserve for the Poetry Slam. I then swiftly made my way to New Toulouse proper and witnessed the storm for myself.

The scene that greeted me was at once frightening and exhilarating. Dark clouds swirled overhead and the rain fell in curtains. The streets were flooded but passable by the determined.



I proceded next to New Toulouse Bourbon and found the situation there even more serious. The flooding was more extensive, even to the extent that I was able to take out my little boat and paddle about the Square as though it were a lake. By this time lightning was flashing all about. At times it struck so close that I felt my fuzz rise with the electricity!



Paddling northward I entered New Toulouse Bayou where I encountered none other than His Grace, Sir Edward Pearse poling about on a raft. We spoke briefly and he told me there had been no reports of injuries so I allowed myself a brief sigh of relief.



Still as I took in the scene I could only think it a miracle no-one was hurt or lost. It appeared the entire region was under water!




This clever beast found refuge on a rooftop!


Only the homes on the highest ground of New Toulouse Bayou appear to have been spared the devastation of this storm. Still, if the character of all the residents of these regions may be judged by the few that I personally know, I have great faith that they shall rebuild. But they will never forget this dramatic time in New Toulouse history. I know I won't.

A Poem

I wrestle with words. My aim is to have something presentable for tomorrow night's poetry slam at Der Hut Des Jaegers as it's been too long since I've participated. As is my practice when I have something to finish, I find something else to do. And so I've decided to share here an untitled work I previously presented. I hope you enjoy it.

My Dear, put down the book you hold.
Put on your coat. The night is cold.
Come! Take my hand. Let's leave our home.
Across the valley dark we'll roam.

I've gathered much for our late feast
composed of grain and fruit and beast
to show how much I care for you.
Do come! Let's trip across the dew.

Tomatoes red are nestled in
the basket tight next to a tin
of herring silver as your eyes
or all the stars now in the skies.

And also here we have some bread
as golden as your own fair head
with honey sweet as your shy smile.
Now, cross the stream log--single file.

Climb down the bank, deep in the glen.
I'm thinking of the roasted hen
with herbs as earthy as your soul
and truffles, too, as black as coal.

Here by the lake our blanket's spread
when normally we'd be abed.
Yet now we'll share this magic scene,
the sapphire sky, the lake of green.

Dessert will be a berry tart
as red and warm as your own heart.
And all throughout a glass of wine
to toast each night that you are mine.

And as our feast draws to its end
I kiss my love, my mate, my friend
and promise to return here soon
to picnic here, beneath the moon

Expedition Oregon

Recently I traveled to the coast of the specific area in the Steelhead region known as Oregon. It was my intention to make cursory explorations of different areas and gain a fuller understanding of the Natural History of this place.

No sooner had I arrived than I made an astonishing discovery. Lying in plain view adjacent to a walking path was an enormous fossil which I believe to be an ammonite. I attempted to place it in my collecting box but it was simply too heavy. On a future trip I shall have to be better prepared to move such specimens to my collection.



The dominant biome of the region is coniferous forest. The ground is carpeted primarily with large ferns and mosses and great trees rise up that would make any visitor feel Tiny.



Many years ago a disastrous forest fire destroyed much of the forest in one area. The noble citizens subsequently replanted and now towers such as this one are used to keep watch for tell-tale smoke. I enjoyed climbing this one but was "spoken to" by the staff for standing on the rail for a better view.



It was nearby that I also found the only steam engine I encountered the entire time I was there. It is used to move heavy logs in timber operations. Again I was "spoken to" by the staff for sitting on the exhibit.



Within the forests there are many dark salamanders. I began a course of research into the question of whether or not salamanders are ticklish. Results were inconclusive. Furthermore, any claims by my detractors that the experiments were conducted solely because I enjoyed poking their soft, smooth tummies are slanderous lies.



Many swift, clear streams run through the mountain valleys. They are home to various species of fish and invertebrates and provide habitat for a fascinating species of bird, the American Dipper.



The beaches of the coast vary in their compositions of cobbles or sand. Locations of one type of the other or any degree in between may be found. In many places great rocks rise from the sea just off the shore. Often they are covered with colonies of sea birds and in the case of the ones I viewed here, fat sea lions on the lower levels.



Sad as I was to depart this beautiful land, I was treated by one last, dramatic view as my airship passed the volcanic mountains responsible for so much of the region's character. I look forward to returning again some day and exploring further.

The Plant is Blooming!

It is with great excitement that I report the plant I collected on last year's expedition has come into bloom again! If you've not yet read the account of its discovery you may do so here. Should you wish to see the actual plant I have left my conservatory open for you to visit it via this SLURL. This truly is a noteworthy event!