Camp conclusion

The weekend ended with 33 bird species including a few gems from suburban camp. We also visited Rouge River Bird Observatory at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and added to our tally. Some of the highlights from suburban camp were a ruby-throated hummingbird, a family of baltimore orioles, a red-eyed vireo and a turkey vulture. We took a very buggy walk in the 290-acre natural area that circles Fairlane Lake, right, and skirts the Rouge River. The trails traverse woodlands, old fields and swamps. Highlights there were a blue-headed vireo (singing), great crested flycatcher (also singing) and blue-gray gnatcatcher. We also encountered six raccoon kits cowering in a small tree.

Suburban camp

My first camping experiences were in suburban backyards. I don't think I've ever been more nervous camping than when we set up our little dome tent in the backyard on a warm summer night. Loud insects would buzz all night--cicadas I think--taunting my fear and sleeplessness and muffling the sounds of potential intruders. I felt so exposed out in that backyard.

Last night, I camped in a suburban backyard in Livonia, Mich., a well-glaciated pancake-flat land among the branches of the River Rouge. Here wide subdivisions occupy former farmlands. The yard is blanketed by herbs, native plants, stunningly bright flowers and seedums.

The camping experience was far less scary than when I was 11. I'll admit: it didn't have the same allure as camping in a wilderness area, but the temperatures in the low 60s were quite comfortable for sleeping. We did hear our share of natural sounds. A small waterfall tumbling into a decorative pond, a red squirrel chattering and a chickadee calling. We also heard the din of cars from I-96, neighboring dogs barking and a few late-night fireworks. In the morning a young robin landed about three feet from the tent door, unaware we were watching a few feet away. Tonight, another evening in the suburban wilderness.

(Livonia took its name from Dutch settlers coming from New York. Fun fact: I played against Livonia, N.Y., in high school baseball.)

Cruel summer

This is turning into the year without a summer. We've had just one week's worth of 85-degree-plus temperatures and three 90-plus days. I'm not complaining--it's 65 right now and quite pleasant.

I had heard that Boston and New York were having mild summers and I did a quick check of the numbers. Quite mild indeed. Boston has had two days over 80--83 on June 7 and 84 on June 26, and 16 days of highs in the 60s during June. More than half the month with mid-spring high temperatures. New York City had five days in June with highs in the 60s and no day warmer than 83.

Finnish retreats

I want a mokki.

Digging canals

The Washington neighborhood of Georgetown is a colonial outpost on the slopes of the Piedmont, near the intersection of Rock Creek and the Potomac River. Rock Creek flows from the uplands of Montgomery County and all the way through the District before meeting up with the Potomac near Watergate. Along the way, it passes the magnolia-choked hills of Georgetown. Here, catbirds and mockingbirds find sanctuary from the metropolis. Just a couple blocks south of busy M Street is the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal, a narrow waterway, right, that parallels the Potomac. There was once a plan for the C&O to link the Potomac and Ohio watersheds, but the railroad beat the canal to it in the 1850s. The canal's old-fashioned locks still work, and tour boats ply the waters.

Down south

By now, you've most likely heard about the bizarre twist in the already bizarre story of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. He wasn't on the Appalachian Trail but in South America, where he has a ladyfriend. So forget about the idea that he's just an outdoors-y type hoping to get away from it all.

Wild governor

News came across yesterday that the governor of South Carolina had disappeared for several days. His wife didn't know where he went or his staff. Where was he? Hiking the Appalachian Trail naturally. He finally checked in today. He said he left to "write something." And some of us manage to write in offices!

Really though, who's to question the need to run off to the AT? Or to write something in the woods? Way to go, Gov. Sanford.