chaga...

Chaga is this big gnarly fungus that grows on yellow birch trees. It "...contains large amounts of betulinic acid in a form that can be ingested orally, and it also contains the full spectrum of immune-stimulating phytochemicals found in other medicinal mushrooms..." We were walking through the woods and knocked a big piece down, brought it home and smashed it up (it is like wood). Michelle ground it up and makes Chaga Chai with it. I add it to my coffee. Yum.

warren falls...

The parents/grandparents are visiting. Having a great time so far. We went to Warren Falls and ate lunch at the Warren Store. Have also made the journey to the Montshire Museum. It is an unusually well done kids/natural history/ecology place near St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Keenan always loves it when the size of the family expands. It is really nice.

s240 camping...

Went on a little s240 (sub 24 hour) overnight bike camping trip with Mike. We stayed at a lean-to in Little River State Park in Waterbury. The general idea is to get out wherever for a bit. Was nippy, 21 degrees overnight. Nice fires and down jacket inside the sleeping bag to stay warm. I was actually quite comfortable except for numb toes at 5 AM. Might need to add down booties to winter camping list. We encountered a doodling porcupine on our way in!