Illinois Oaks Field Day

What an appropriate description, a Ford Escort with wings. We used to call it the Yugo of the air. Yum yum, Dawn Redwood seedlings. How scrumptious! That's a wonderful tree.

Dax baby, you didn't go weird on us. You merely forgot we were ladies. I liked the direction this thread went, it gave me quite a laugh also trying to imagine myself doing what you described :)

Never been in a Cessna. Not sure what plane my dad has now. He just got a new one, getting rid of his Beechcraft Baron. He decided the twin engine was too expensive for upkeep compared to the single. What was John Jr (Kennedy) flying? Wasn't that a Cessna?

HEY GUY!!! You still watching this?? Is being fashionably late acceptable? Or does one really need to be there at 9:30? It's a Sat correct? John, Krista and I can make the trek again........and you don't mind Krista staying in/at the house??

I've been in a Flying Yugo a few times. Got so sick the last time trying to take photos out the back window during turbulent weather that I never have wanted to go up again! NEVER!!!

Dax, I think we're all having fun here. And anything off-color you might say is totally forgiven the moment you enter the gate with those plants!

Terry, sure you can come, but we do need everyone to register with the Natural History Survey so we'll have a body count. (My numb old fingers typed "Natural History Surcey " yesterday, but pay no mind to my typos.)

The historic tree tour will leave from here at 9:30, and the oak workshop will begin here after lunch. If you can make it by 9:30 you won't regret it, but if not, sleep in and come later because the gate will be locked once we leave until we get back. Do you remember the route? Still got Daddy's GPS? Can you get down to so you'll be ready to go Saturday morning? JamesCo and Shortleaf have seen some of the trees that will be on the morning tour -- ask them if it's worth an early rise! Krista will enjoy them too.

Guy S.

There is no wrong direction here Dax. What did you think the photos I posted were? Your bringing maples, and I am nowhere in sight. Now that is some real crap. :)

Bill

Yes Bill - I've been grafting like a madman. I know your allure to garden maples. Sorry if my post accidentally implicated you, or whatever it was I was thinking was happening. I don't know what else I should or can say.

I've got a lot of Dawn Redwoods - I figure I'd pass those out like admission tickets. I'll have to go through the Maples and kind of off the grain give to Dave's members as I can't bring all that many, but still plenty. I've got some beautiful stuff.

It will be nice to be there Guy and I'll look forward to meeting each of you. Would love to meet Resin as well. I'd have to hook him up to a lie detector though and ask him where some of the hidden greats are!

Dax

I never saw any implication or even anything faintly "weird" on your part so no apology needed. Do you ever think of selling your plants?

Bill

How much does the Lodge or the B&B cost and can I borrow just that amount? Can't pay you back, but consider it a gift. What did it take me, 1 3/4 hour to get there. Surely you don't leave right on the dot at 9:30? Waiting for late comers and all?? We can make it there, I'm teasing, but please wait at least 15 minutes if I'm not there yet? I will call if we can't make it. I do have to tell John though first. I was looking for something else to do as that's my HS class reunion that day. I was getting a buddy of mine to ride the float, but that was pulling his arm just to get him to do that, so I don't think he'll mind too much if we don't do that after all.

I don't think anyone can claim a more queasy stomach than mine. Never have been able to ride the rides at the fair. Puke every time. The trick I found while flying was to always sit forward (have to have more than a 4 seater though), and close eyes while in turbulence. But you always have to have a barf bag in hand just in case. Below is another pic I took from the airplane.

Oh and I forgot, no I don't have my daddy's GPS anymore, it is his ya know (he uses it on the boats also). I can sure get it back though, coz there's no way I can find my way. I let the lady do the talking and I did the driving.

And please, this time you can call on all the other DG'ers to answer the questions. No need to embarrass me again....once was good enough :)

And Krista would like to know what's on the menu? Edie gonna make those cupcakes again? I was wrong, I can't find them after all. Bummer.

If it was just you sweetie, we'd wait a lifetime! But we have other folks coming a long way and a lot to cover, so we do need to stay on schedule. If you leave home by 7:00 you'll have ample time. I really hope you can get here to do the morning tour -- Krista will remember it forever. Either way, be sure to register.

Hmmmm, maybe this time I'll hafta call on John with the questions . . .

Guy S.

Yea, call on John. I do have another question though, how do we take the tour? A bus? Our cars?

A task master, are ya? Schedules are always made to be broken. That's what makes it fun.

7? As in AM? Oh my...........

The historic trees (morning) tour will be by caravan around Menard County, hopefully with people doubling up to reduce the number of cars. The afternoon workshop starting at 1:00 will be walking, and not even all that much of that. I'm concentrating it in three of our most accessible oak planting areas to keep everything centralized and to keep unsteady visitors from having to go near steep bluffs, high bridges, and other potential hazards. Anyone who wants to walk farther on their own certainly can, but we'll study the 21 Illinois native oaks mostly in easy, accessible areas for those who may have limited mobility.

Once we get back here after lunch you can break all the schedules you want, but the historic tour will leave you in the dust if you arrive at 9:31 and there will be no easy way to track us down. Hey, just pretend you're getting up at 5:00 to go to work, and 7:00 will seem like a cakewalk!

Guy S.

Good questions and beautiful arial photo Terry! I was kind of wondering myself what the event would entail.

Bill - I'm mostly grafting for myself (friends)/trades, that kind of stuff - and certainly always looking for scionwood for trades and that kind of stuff in general. 'Swapping' if you will without any "you owe me this much because I sent you this much or vice versa." I'm just looking for like minded friends who wish to share plants and plant material.

And yes, I'll be selling grafted conifers and maples and beech and whatever else I can get my willing hands on, and that'll all be on ebay. Right now I just have a yard (city lot), quite small, and full of containers kind of everywhere. Ginkgo's too interest me very much, then again so does a lot of stuff, seed growing, "whatever" be the case.

I'm even thinking for fun about growing clematis seedlings and grafting those critters as well. I'm on a kick for anything woody to give my best go at -

I hope to keep a lot for when I move, which I hope may be as early as next year. Then again, there are a lot of boring details that I need to get straightened out before this will happen.

Again - see ya all later.

Dax (the guy who reads too fast and types and sometimes doesn't even read the entire thread). My fault!

The only time I've ever been purposefully awake at 5 AM was giving birth. No wait, I take that back. After partying all night, I was often not home at 5 AM, so let's say the last time I was up on purpose at 5 AM was giving birth.

What is a workshop anyway? Do we build a nice bird house out of oak? I'd like a squirrel feeder, the kind that opens and the squirrels reach in and grab the food. Have plans ready for me.

You know a phhhwww kind of sound? Where you make your lips jiggle? John did that when I read to him that you would be asking him questions. He wants to know if there's a test at the end. Knowing you, yea, there is one.

Sorry, I had this page up for over an hour while was doing other stuff. I should of checked it before I typed in my reply. Thank you Dax. For a really bad photographer, I think I did alright.

Gee, I hadn't thought about a test. Thanks for that great idea! I'll hafta put one together that will be so totally embarrassing if you don't know yer stuff!!! Hee-hee-hee!!!

The workshop is merely a chance to walk around informally with others and learn how to identify all the native Illinois oaks. I'll have several of each species marked with big labels so you can compare them and key them out. Bring your camera or sketchpad or whatever. No tests, no stress. Then we can look at other (nonnative) oaks or other things if you like. And if you choose to part from the group and explore on your own, that's fine too. Maybe we'll even go down by the creek.

Guy S.

I took an id class at Bickelhaupt Arboretum several years ago. Folks sat at tables and worked in groups using information provided in a text written in a format coinciding, 'if this factor is present, go to page such and such' - with an eventual id (hopefully!). We were looking at a wide range of plant material however and during the dead of winter. No leaves, just twigs, buds, bark, etc. for the id.

Lots of fun!

Still an option even if no resource "text" is available for this type of group project.

Me, I'm coming to learn what others than Pin, White, Red, etc look like as my Oak id skills are somewhat quite weak.

I'd also be extremely interested in a native's plant id so if any of you Dave's folks want to show me "the woods", I would be very, very happy to learn some of this plant material, as well.

Dax

Go ahead Guy, put a test together. Let's see what all I can come up with for answers that have nothing to do with oaks. Wood, yes, oaks, no. Are there things at the creek that need exploring, sketched or photographed? Or did you have something else in mind?

My e-mail isn't working. Don't know why, I'm guessing it has to do with AOL taking over Netscape or whatever they did, so I guess I'll call the lady on Monday to register. You have all our info, you wanna do it?

Now how can that be? Dax reply says 10:04 and mine says 10:12? Dax's wasn't there as I typed mine up and it sure didn't take me 8 minutes to type.......

I can show you the woods Dax, but I probably can't id anything. It's a plant and it's green and it's alive......would that work?

Dax, have her show you the creek . . . she can ID that!

No Guy, you and I go to the creek. Dax and I go to the woods.

I've been stripping all day, I need to catch up on my reading, so please do excuse........

I don't even know what to say about Terryr's last post. 2 rendezvous and stripping all day. Looks like I will have to watch this thread more.

Bill

Yeah, I didn't wanna touch that one! Bill, maybe if you can get down here she'll do THREE rendezvous! After all, she's one of those hard-partying bleached-blondes now! I bet all you'd hafta do is help her with the pop quiz answers . . .

Guy S.

I won't get my hopes up Guy. If you remember, she was supposed to "console" me months ago. After this post she might take me out by the shed and give me a good beating. I wish I could get down there as my oak ID skills have to be worse than Dax's and it would be a great opportunity to meet many of you people.

Bill

Stripping paint from her porch gentlemen.

A girl has to make a living somehow.....

I'm not stripping paint off the front porch (I power washed that). You guys are soooo easy it's hilarious. I'm actually stripping the old wood storm door off the back door. But I'm in the garage and dancing while I strip. You wish I'd take you out to the shed and give a good beating Bill. Uh-huh. But really, you need to let it go. I don't remember what it is you're referring to (console you?), so if I don't remember, than just give it up.

Sun bleached, Guy, the sun did it. I did nothing. You better be nice or it'll be only ONE rendezvous.

And thanks Kevin for recognizing I'm still a girl.

I'd like to be in charge of the group now. Anybody like wanna learn to graft?

Maybe I can bring some Maple understock down as well - put on a show - wrap that bud strip so fast you'll be blinded with exilaration - tie it off in a slip knot blindfolded - smoking of course at the same time.

It'll be like you know, a royal ramble on my inflatable kayak/canoe, a berry fantastic experience, the jesters of course dressed for operation, smuggling seedlings, "Knarley Dude"!

You know a Hog Ride on a Harley, but actually a VW - and medication to keep me at ease. Probably the thickest walk in the woods some of us quill ever experience!

Guy - you really know about Oaks or am I coming down to meet a bunch of pocket comedians? I know I'm not funny, but I don't try either.

I feel like I'm the Marlboro Man in speedo's and cowboy boots only. Don't be surprised if that's what I wear. I like that.

See ya all on the ninth!

The man.

See now, the man must of read my mind by inserting that he'd be wearing speedo's. Because my thought was that if he put on a show and wraps that bud strip so fast we'll be blinded with exhilaration, then he ties it off in a slip knot blindfolded, all while smoking....well, he has to do it wearing a speedo of course. Just between you and me, I've had a crush on the Marlboro Man for a loooong time. Finally I get to meet him. Ahhhh.....the woods you wanted to see, right?

Ahhh, power washed the porch before you painted it. I knew you did something to the porch. Oh stripping window frames is so much fun- not.

Oh Terrrrrrrrry, you're forgetting that thread back a while ago when we offered to console them while they worked for us. We wanted something out of them but it's been so long that I can't remember what we wanted. I think we were being referred to as the Swiss Miss gals or maybe it was Doublemint Gum gals. I can't remember.

Oh conifers, I AM THE ONE WHO WANTED TO LEARN HOW TO GRAFT and I can't come on the 9th because of a conflict in scheduling. Don't you be forgetting about me! I'm coming out your way this fall so PLEASE set some materials aside for me to be able to learn. I think it will be a tad bit too cold for you to wear a speedo in cowboy boots by the time I get out by you so please pose for Terry so she can take a few photos to post here in the threads! You mustn't deprive those who are unable to attend this event.

It has to quit raining and dry out before I can paint it. Not window frames, the whole door. Of course that includes the glass part and screen part, which all pop out.

Ever watch the Seinfeld episode where George gets caught with his pants down after, I believe, swimming? Nah, Dax doesn't want to be wearing his speedo in the cold.

I vaguely remember the thread. I can't remember what we were consoling about....or I was consoling about.

ahhhhhh. What an ambush to wake up too!

I got you covered Equil. You too Terry! lol

Have a weird day everyone!

Dax

Good morning Dax! Rise and shine and all that other good stuff.

It's happening baby, it's a happenin'!

Have a nice day.

Dax

I can't believe you never mentioned this Guy........

HEY EVERYONE GOING!!! Lunch is on your own, bring a sack lunch or you can find a restaurant if you prefer.

Now that's something to wake up to....I'm gonna be covered by the man. Does it get any better than that?? You have to wait Equil, nanner nanner.......

You're all too cool.

Better get that van cleaned up as Terry and Husband may need a place to sleep, however, the Marlboro Man simply needs a nice campfire and chair.

Take care cools,

Dax

Awww, how sweet of you to offer them your camper. You big galoob you!

Sack lunch optional, but the morning tour will end in Petersburg where there are several eatery options available. Those who do bring sack lunches can follow me back to SHF and picnic there while we wait for the others.
Dax, you be careful of that TerrieR. She's wicked and wild, and with that new white hairdo ya never know what she might do next!

Evil, what's a gal-loob? Is that good or bad? Is it like a gallon of grease or sumthin?

Guy S.

I must be a sweetheart, Ay?

lol -

(We'll see about that!)

Moving onward!

In my email that suddenly doesn't want to work anymore........

I'm warnin ya Dax, she's a witch! She makes your hair stand on end, her eyes glow in the dark, blood drips from her teeth, and all the forest critters flee in panic at her stealthy approach!

Seriously, if anyone else is interested, I hope you sign up with the Natural History Survey before the cut-off date, and also please let me know directly that you're coming. We will see more different oaks, and probably older and larger and more historic oaks, than you've ever seen in one day before.

And don't let TerrieR scare you away - she'll have her three-inch talons sunk into poor Dax, so the rest of us are safe! It's like tossing one sacrificial cow into the Amazon upstream to attract the piranha so the rest of the herd can wade across unmolested . . .

Guy S.

Why, if I'm that deadly, who's to say I can't take on more than just poor ole Dax? I have super powers and I'm pretty sure I can take you all on. I like to strike just when you least expect it........

~~~mmmmwwwwaaaaaahhhhhhaaaaahhhhhhaaaaaahhhhhaaaaahhhhaaa~~~



Mr. Directly, the 3 of us will be joining you on the 9th of Sept at 9:30 AM.

And actually, I broke 3 nails whilst stripping......wwwwaaaaaaaaaaaa