Van Camping: Night Two

We tried another state campground, but they were full. Our location had to be within 1/2 hour drive so that we could get to the Boilermaker early. We ended up returning to the Ace of Diamonds. When we arrived, someone told us there was another location way up top the hill. We went to look and wished we had found this yesterday.

The evening was much cooler and less sticky than the night before. So I decided to walk about the fields, snapping shots of the meadow flowers we've become so used to in and around mowed fields.

Wild Parsnip, I believe, Pastinaca sativa.

Apparently the juice of this plant can cause blisters and burns if exposed together to your skin and the sun.

I'm going with Field Thistle, or Cirsium discolor.

Queen Anne's Lace, or Daucus carota, from which we created today's carrot ('carota').

Cannot name this plant, but it was the swollen stems that attracted my attention.

Almost every one in an area had them, which appear like galls. The plants seem to not be affected.

Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca.

Betsy started the fire while I was away and I stoked the flames.

Created an area separate from the main fire to heat the cast iron pan.

And fried the macaroni. Afterward, we were fast asleep, on better padded (but still not right) bedding. The air was cool, we used blankets, and waking up in the middle of the night to pee became an opportunity to star gaze.

Boilermaker's morning. Cool and misty at 6 am.