Here is the snake track:
And some rabbit tracks:
And this was a shell mound in a deep pit someone had dug out to build a house nearby. I wish I would have got a picture of the big hole with giant old palms dumped haphazardly inside it--it was impressive! I found a couple good pieces of natural concrete shell rock that I'm going to carefully break open to look for fossils. It's pretty neat to think that this whole area used to be an ocean. We found many still-sealed clam shells under six or seven feet of dirt.
We also went to Home Depot and Michael's for my shield supplies. I have a good idea of how to do it. The most time consuming thing will be pounding out the middle piece.
Joe had a great time at the State Math Competition in Orlando, but they didn't win anything. I'm glad they had a good time. And things are coming together for his New Zealand trip. We got his passport in the mail last week! It took less than two weeks -- impressive for the passport office!
Oh, and for those of you who are John Oliver fans, we got this lovely FIRST PRINTING on Saturday! For those of you who don't know about this book, John Oliver and his writer's wrote this from Mike Pence's rabbit's point of view. He announced it a few weeks ago on his show, and the books sold out in less than 24 hours. Luckily, I got my order in before they sold out, so no doubt THIS will be collectable one day. Now, if I could only get Marlon Bundo to SIGN it!
And of course, I did a little history lesson for some biased folks. To clarify something--yes, the vikings did wear armor. Especially the later vikings in 1066 -- of course I'm well aware they didn't wear horned helmets--that stupid idea was made popular by an opera costume designer--but they DID wear helmets. They also wore chain mail and leather armor. Their shields were simple wooden shields, but they wielded them very effectively.
Here is a Viking helmet. Granted, not many vikings wore metal helmets, as they were heavy, and Vikings prided themselves on being quick and deadly. Iron helmets were usually worn by kings, noblemen, and their hird--their personal protectors and bodyguards. Also, warriors going a'viking often wore helmets as well--and it is more than likely that Harald Hardrada's men had helmets and other armor with them.
Here is what remains of a typical Viking helmet and chain mail.
However, it is true that viking fighters didn't like to wear armor, especially during the early Viking Age, and if they did, they preferred leather armor. However, as armies grew more sophisticated and organized, the vikings adapted and began to wear more armor when they raided foreign lands. Harald Hardrada's viking entourage had brought armor with them, and it was a very costly mistake when they decided to leave it behind on their longships.
So, that's all the history I have time for today. Maybe more later, since I've generated such interest! :)
Mindy do you have Viking wardrobe and is so are you planning on wearing it on your Vlog?
Also the posted by Illinois Ghost, "Is there anything you might like to say to searchers as we get the season started? A lot of searchers are teaming up and combining assets and ideas. I wish everyone good luck and safe passage. f"
This is interesting to me and maybe you can share your thoughts. As I see it, this was an open question that he had full freedom to choose what he would like to say to all searchers and he chose to tell everyone, that people are teaming up and sharing ideas.
So why pick that and what is the message? It sounds like the poem is solved and if anyone wants a chance, then teaming up is the only way to beat the solver to the treasure this summer. I understand you have already taken that advice. Good luck!
Alberto