Author Archives: Ron Haines

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About Ron Haines

Find me at https://ronhaines.wordpress.com/

Hiding in plain sight

Posted on December 19, 2015 by Ron Haines

You’d think a big blue heron in a patch of green water plants would stick out like a sore thumb, but the pattern of light and shadow among the leaves nearly hides this guy.  Taken on Lake Osborne.  (Photo by … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature | 1 Comment

Florida baptism

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Ron Haines

I took my new-fangled, ultralight canoe for its maiden Florida saltwater ride this past week. An earlier paddle since coming south, in freshwater, was a couple weeks ago at nearby John Prince Park. I have been wanting to take it … Continue reading →

Posted in Hornbeck canoe, Nature, Paddling | Leave a comment

Mintonette anyone? How about Hooverball?

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Ron Haines

Yes, Mintonette.  That was almost the name for what we now know as volleyball. And how do I know that?   Because I drove past this sign. And then I took a stroll on the internet.  Where I unearthed Hooverball too. … Continue reading →

Posted in Offbeat, Road trip, Signs | 3 Comments

Hitchhiking butterfly

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Ron Haines

This iridescent blue fellow latched onto me at the Butterfly Rainforest in Gainesville, FL, this week and stayed there long enough for brother Roger to whip out his phone and take a picture. If you’re up that way, this is … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Offbeat, Road trip | 2 Comments

Where the birding is easy

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Ron Haines

One thing that struck me when I moved to Florida from Iowa back in the 1970’s was how easy it is down here to be a birder (at least the casual one that I am). The birds are big! No … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Paddling, Photos mostly | 2 Comments

Carhenge

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Ron Haines

I saw it briefly as I drove east on Route 2 in Alliance, Nebraska. Carhenge, the small sign said, and the arrow pointed left. It was too late to make the turn, so I continued on and doubled back. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Offbeat, Road trip | 4 Comments

Mississippi Missing

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Ron Haines

I could walk the river! It had taken me over 100 days in 2003 to paddle the entire Mississippi River. There was a scale model of it in Jackson, Mississippi, covering a couple hundred acres. I could walk what I’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Mississippi River Canoe Trip, Offbeat, Photos mostly, Road trip | 6 Comments

Heeeeere’s Johnny!!!

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Ron Haines

I just realized today is Johnny Carson’s birthday so I figured it would be a good time to post a couple of photos from his boyhood home, Norfolk, NE, which I visited briefly earlier this summer. Watching his opening monologue … Continue reading →

Posted in Offbeat, Road trip | Leave a comment

Porch envy

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Ron Haines

I have porch envy. It’s not on a par with my garage envy, and doesn’t come close to my boathouse envy, but it is real. For someone with porch envy, Southeast Florida is an OK place to live, because front … Continue reading →

Posted in Offbeat, Road trip | 6 Comments

The eagle has landed

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Ron Haines

Just west of Hebron along Route 66 in Connecticut is a rock that really sticks out. Painted to resemble a bald eagle, it looms over the road and looks great from either direction. It wasn’t always an eagle. It has … Continue reading →

Posted in Offbeat, Road trip | Leave a comment