#by astrobleme

[littleastrobleme]

[vavoom-sorted-art]

ASTROBLEME - Collab - Page 1

astrobleme [ as-truh-bleem ] - an erosional scar on the earth's surface, produced by the impact of a cosmic body, such as a meteorite.

A collab between @daneecastle and me, next page coming out over on her blog!

Check #astroblemecomic for updates!

Part 2 out now!

[dejahisashmom]

Who Made the Serpent Mound, the Largest Snake Geoglyph in the World? - Historic Mysteries

Who Made the Serpent Mound, the Largest Snake Geoglyph in the World? – Historic Mysteries

Author’s Note: Being a native Ohioan, this is one of the most amazing things to look at & experience firsthand. There’s a certain kind of energy there that’s unlike any other. How y’all enjoy!!! https://www.historicmysteries.com/serpent-mound/

[daneecastle]

ASTROBLEME - Collab - Page 4

astrobleme [ as-truh-bleem ] - an erosional scar on the earth's surface, produced by the impact of a cosmic body, such as a meteorite.

Beginning - Previous - Next

A collab between @vavoom-sorted-art and I, Next page coming out over on her Blog on Sunday!

Check #astroblemecomic for updates!

Part 5 Cominc Soon!

[art]

Creator Spotlight: @66sharkteeth

66 is a comic artist and the creator of City of Blank, a WEBTOON original series. They worked in the game industry at companies such as 2K Games before entering the field of comics. They began their career in comics at Tapas, where they worked as an editor and lead typesetter, before being signed to create their own original series on WEBTOON.

Check out our interview with 66 below!

Have you ever had an art block? If so, how did you overcome it?

The short answer is yeah, I’ve definitely had one. Overall, I feel like doing a lot of style studies during that time and trying to use new brushes helps a lot. In addition, because I’m a comic artist, I feel like writer’s block is in the same field, and with that, I’m really fortunate that I have an editor that I can work with, who helps me a lot there. Whenever I am stuck at a plot point in my comic, I can always go to my editor, who helps me hammer things out.

What medium have you always been intrigued by but would never use yourself?

Animation. Of course, everyone loves animation. I went to school for game art and design and even did some animation courses, and I am just not cut out for it. I don’t enjoy the process, and I am not good at it. Animation is beautiful, and I admire people who can do it. I’d love for my work to be animated some day, I’m just not capable of being the one to do it haha.

Warm tones or cool tones?

It really depends on the scene! Especially in my comic, I really go with both of them, just depending on the moment in the comic. There was a major character death, and that scene was almost black and white. But normally, the comic is very vibrant, and people really like it, so when I switch it to a more cold tone, it makes the scene that much more impactful.

What is a recent creative project that you are proud of?

Honestly, my current comic, City of Blank, takes up 100% of my time. But recently, I did a plushie campaign where I worked with Makeship through Webtoon to design the plushies and do a little bit of marketing for them. So that’s fun and different from what I normally do!

When planning a comic or a story, what do you do first, character design or character outline?

Normally, I have a design, and I fall in love with the character design, and then I find a role for them. That’s how a lot of my characters have started. Also, that’s how I’ve been tackling new projects that I want to work on after City of Blank. I just came up with a character, and I’m trying to make a story around them.

What is a convention experience that has stuck with you?

Meeting readers and realizing how much my work means to some of them. Some of them have started their own comics, having been inspired by mine. Learning that I’m part of the reason they started their own comic journey, the same way I looked to other inspiring comic artists to start mine—it means the world that I’m in that position now.

Top tips on setting up an Artist Alley booth?

Let’s see…bright, sparkly colors! I think just trying to make sure that the booth is eye-catching. I ended up making a big shiny banner for New York Comic Con, and I know many people stopped by because it caught their eye and they’re curious about what it is. I know a lot of people are selling merchandise of popular media. Even just a banner of your brand to get them curious about who you are and maybe interested in seeing what you make and taking a business card so they can look you up later. It’s better than someone just buying a pin and forgetting you exist. Lastly, put out a tip jar. You never know just how generous your fans are feeling.

Who on Tumblr inspires you and why?

I’m mostly involved in the webtoon sphere! I am definitely inspired by my fellow Webtoon creators, @lark-wren, who created the series Woven. I love their work and seeing them interact with their readers on Tumblr. Same with fellow Webtoon creators, @miranda-mundt-art and @astrobleme-enterprises, who created Lovebot.

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing, 66! Be sure to check out their Tumblr blog over at @66sharkteeth and follow their webcomic, City of Blank, over at WEBTOON.

[sp1cy-t0ss]

Astrobleme

Antares is officially a series! This one is pure fluff.

Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/49804744

‘Cuddling,’ Damian muses, is a more nuanced activity than he had thought as a child. There are a staggering variety of ways to do it, but he has found his favorite. 

People are often clingy when they hug, squeezing even if they try to rein in the impulse. It could be tolerated, even enjoyed, from anyone allowed to survive the attempt, but sudden restriction of his movements and tight pressure could still bring a vague sense of unease if he wasn’t prepared.

Danny, as in most things, is different. He is more than content to nestle into Damian’s arms like he has always belonged there, simply soaking in the affection as though there’s no safer place in the world.

At the moment Danny is curled up against him, head on his shoulder as they lay on the ground somewhere in Midwestern America to stargaze. It’s not something Damian ever thought of doing in the past, but his companion makes all the difference.

Danny speaks of space with wide-eyed passion, rambling excitedly about the properties of each planet, achievements in exploration, and how this sky’s constellations vary from those in his own dimension. It’s hard to keep up at times, but his enthusiasm is infectious and endearing. It’s impossible to watch Danny’s eyes light up and not share in his wonder.

Damian’s favorite part of stargazing, however, is the stories. The night sky is a tapestry of myths and legends, and Danny seems to know them all by heart. He weaves their tales with a softer, almost reverent tone, eyes on the sky throughout. On those nights, he can hypnotize for hours.

“Antares, can I ask you something?” Danny’s gaze is fixed on the sky, as it has been for two hours now, but a subtle tension in his face betrays his nerves.

“Of course.”

Danny steels himself with a deep breath. “Iwantyoutobiteme.” 

The words come out more like a bullet than a sentence, and are just as unexpected. Surely Damian heard wrong. Surely. 

“What?”

Danny looks away, clearly mortified. “That’s my question. If you would...bite me.  I swear I can explain.” 

The mental image is admittedly captivating. Very captivating. He would make the most beautiful sounds...damn it, focus! Careful to let none of these idiotic thoughts show, Damian allows himself a raised eyebrow. “I did hear you correctly then. Why?”

Danny rolls over on his side to look at him.

“You know how I spent a few months in the Realms before I came here?” At Damian’s nod, he continues. “Well, um. I learned ghosts have a thing about scars. They’re memories, you know? We only get scars when there’s a lot of emotion involved.” He drags a hand down his face and groans. “You already know that, why am I telling you?” 

He did. It was why his Beloved still bore faint burns from his so-called parents’ weapons.

“You may tell me again, if it will help,” Damian says patiently as he places a careful hand on Danny’s cheek. Danny does much of his on-the-fly thinking out loud, and this is clearly important to him.

Danny gives him a grateful look and relaxes into the touch. He takes a fortifying breath. “Right, right. Memories. And, well, most of those suck. Obviously. So ghosts will mark their best friends, their families, and…partners. Like tattoos, I guess. And...I want one from you. A memory that doesn’t hurt.”

Damian’s eyes widen in shock. They both enjoy the occasional teasing nip, but deliberate scarification is miles beyond that. The idea of irreversibly marking his Beloved, of injuring him to do so, is antithetical. He can’t.

And yet…an indisputable claim. A symbol of their bond that nothing could take away. His more possessive instincts virtually sing at the idea.

He needs more information. “...And a human can do this?”

Danny nods. “You’re liminal enough that it should work. But you wouldn’t be able to channel ectoplasm through a weapon like most ghosts do. You’d have to…bite. Maybe scratch, that might work.”

“I didn’t get to do it with my fraid before I left,” he admits. “We didn’t know about the…ritual, Dad calls it. Even if we had, everything happened so suddenly and...” Danny wilts at the unspoken memories.

“Are you certain you want my mark? It would be permanent,” Damian cautions. His Beloved can be so impulsive, after all.

“I know. I’ve thought about it for months, ever since our anniversary, and…even if Clockwork is wrong about us, even if we break up tomorrow…” Danny briefly looks pained, but he shakes it off with burning eyes. “I want to remember this.”

Damian suppresses a shiver at his conviction. The question is, does he want this? It seems a drastic act less than two years into a relationship. His rational mind wants to hesitate. 

But…

A vigilante’s life is one of constant danger. Any ordinary day might tear him away from his family, his friends, this ridiculous boy who has stolen his heart. Even if he never falls in battle, Damian is only human, only mortal. His love, with any luck, will live for centuries or more. 

The odds of becoming a ghost upon death are high in his circumstances, but there is no guarantee.

The pure hope shining in Danny’s eyes makes the decision for him. He cannot leave him behind. “So do I,” he finally says. “How will we do this?” 

Damian is rewarded with a smile that could end wars. He can’t help but return it.

Danny sits up on his knees and braces himself with his arms, practically vibrating with anticipation. “It’s pretty simple. Dad says you just make the mark, and I…concentrate on you. How I feel.” He mumbles the last bit, embarrassed. “It’ll take a bit for the mark to settle though, so I’ll be out of it for a few minutes. Just let me come back on my own.”

Damian nods his understanding. “And where do you want it?” 

“My wrist,” Danny says with no hesitation. “I want to see it all the time. ” Oh, it isn’t fair what those words do to him. Danny knows it too, if the glint in his eyes means anything. He transforms with a grin, but it fades in favor of a blush as he presents his upturned wrist.

Struck by inspiration, Damian drops to one knee as if proposing and lifts the offered wrist to his lips. Danny lets out an embarrassed meep at the gesture, as planned, but Damian isn’t done. A moment like this requires an appropriate vow.

“My eternity is yours, my love.” With that, he presses a gentle kiss against Danny’s pulse point, and bites down.

Cool flesh easily parts under his teeth, and he drags thick lines lengthwise another inch or so up Danny’s arm. The electric, almost citric flavor of ectoplasm fills his mouth. It tastes…good, contrary to his expectations, and he swallows the liquid on impulse before withdrawing.

For the finishing touch, Damian uses a fingernail to carve a thinner line back across the same skin in a simple, elegant flourish. It won’t do to have an identifiably human bite mark carry over to Danny’s human form, so an obscuring element will help disguise its origin. Perhaps more importantly, he has a point to make. After all, his Dove deserves only the best.

When the mark is complete, Danny gasps. He stares forward with eyes wholly consumed by green light, unresponsive. as though in a trance. A rumble of love-mine-excited-happy-LOVE radiates from him with startling strength, far beyond the rare faint impressions Damian is accustomed to from his Beloved. The ritual itself is all but forgotten as he basks in the emotions.

A ghost’s ability to project and sense emotions seemed like a glaring weakness at first. An aura cannot lie, and thus is a double-edged sword. Damian held that opinion, at least until an otherwise typical date nearly brought him to his knees when he sensed Danny’s emotions. 

Feeling his new partner’s contentment, security, and honest affection toward him was… humbling. Addictive. 

(He’s certain it always will be.)

After nearly ten minutes, Danny’s eyes dim and he blinks dazedly at his bleeding wrist. Tears prick at the corners of his eyes, expression euphoric as he admires the wound. Though the scene is odd, knowing that he brought his partner this happiness brings Damian a rush of pride and warmth.

“Did it work?” he asks.

Danny faces him, his smile definitely beyond human limits now. “Yeah! See?” He shoves his wrist into Damian’s face once more.

Indeed, the wound looks as though it’s been healed for weeks. Raised lines stand out proudly from Danny’s skin with a faint silvery sheen. The only oddity is how wide the scar still is, as if something prevented normal human flesh from properly knitting together. 

“Beautiful,” Damian hears himself whisper as he trails a finger down the marks. And they really are; his signature, right there for all to see on this most precious of things. The knowledge sits like embers in his chest, crackling with satisfaction.

Danny preens at the comment, and Damian realizes he can still feel the echoes of love-proud-mine from his Beloved. Perhaps it’s an effect of the scarification process.

Eventually Danny clears his throat. “Normally we’d both get one. But I know you can’t have identifying things like big scars, so I got you something instead.” 

He reaches into his chest cavity and pulls out a black ribbon, carefully placing it in Damian’s hand. Closer inspection reveals the ribbon to be a silk choker, deep black and inlaid with gems that sparkle like nothing Damian has ever seen, in the exact green of Danny’s eyes. Deeper green thread connects the gems in a familiar shape: the Scorpius constellation.

“Crystallized ectoplasm,” Danny explains. “I made them from my own ‘plasm, so they have my ectosignature. Humans won’t know what it means, but ghosts and liminals will.” He gives a proud grin.

While Damian processes that, however, nerves rapidly encroach on Danny’s enthusiasm. His smile falls. “You don’t have to! I brought normal emeralds if that’s creepy! Unless–”

Damian hooks the choker into place, cutting off Danny’s fretting. The ribbon is exquisitely soft, flush against his neck without pressing into it. No one would be able to grab it in a fight, and the silk glides comfortingly across his skin as he turns his head. With a little focus, he can feel a faint chill from the gems.

It feels like home.

Damian finds himself fighting back watery eyes before speaking. A roughness in his voice still betrays him. 

“I will treasure it. Thank you, Dove.”

Danny still makes no attempt to hide his own tears, pressing his forehead to Damian’s and wrapping him in a hug. It’s tight this time, but eagerly reciprocated. 

“Thanks, Daylight. I love you so much.” The words are mumbled into his neck, and he meets them with a silent kiss to the half-ghost’s forehead. As their embrace loosens, Damian feels his Beloved slump against him. It seems the ritual is taxing on ghosts, and he feels himself flagging slightly as well. Carefully, he sets Danny on the ground and settles into a spooning position. It’s a warm spring night and there’s not a soul around for miles; they can rest here for a while.

It’s not surprising when Danny starts purring. He tends to lose control of the function while dozing – one of his many endearing quirks. 

What startles them both into waking is the other purr that sounds out to answer it. 

The boys bolt upright, cutting off the quiet rumble in Damian’s throat. Neither says anything for a long moment. Then Damian sighs. “We have to tell your father, don’t we.” It’s not a question. Gods only know what this means in terms of his growing liminality, no matter the cause.

Danny falls backward again with a groan. At the same time, his aura flares with abject mortification. “Oh Ancients, we have to tell him you bit me.”

“How dreadful,” Damian snarks. “I’m the one with five siblings that already call me a vampire.”

Danny laughs. “Good point– You’re totally screwed. Remind me to stock up on garlic, bee-tee-dubs.”

Damian glares without heat. “You’re the worst, Winters.”

“Oh yeah? Do you vant to suck my bluud about it?” Danny taunts, wiggling his fingers and hissing for effect.

A deep, theatrical sigh. “Pennyworth must cease feeding you after midnight.”

From there they settle into familiar bickering, but most of Damian’s mind is on other things. Tonight was a milestone, marking a stronger bond between them, yet it also feels like nothing has changed. He can’t bring himself to fear the future like Danny does, fully convinced they will be together forever. One day Danny will truly believe their happiness will last. Perhaps not someday soon, but Damian can wait.

He touches the ribbon around his neck, feeling pure devotion radiate from the glittering gems, and smiles.

After all, we have eternity.

[rougemorte]

@astrobleme-enterprises

[some-kind-of-winged-thing]

i looked at the full moon through binoculars tonight and i nearly cried. i could see the lunar surface, the scars and pockmarks and astroblemes and maria and impact lines. and it was gorgeous and damaged and whole and perfect and i nearly cried.

i miss being amongst the stars and moons and planets. i wish i could go there during my waking hours instead of only in dreams.

[miranda-mundt-art]

Absolutely FERAL over the latest update on Lovebot!!! The expressions especially??

Like the softness of Xada and Lacey’s faces,,,, how deranged Charles looks,,,, the blank look on Velix’s face,,,,

Just. Screaming. /positive

AHhh thank you so much!!! I was excited about that episode hehehe

(also if you're interested chase and I have an account specifically for lovebot too! @astrobleme-enterprises )

[obnebulant-mogai]

Astroblemelexic - a gender related to the word "astrobleme" !

[Image ID: A flag with seven equal horizontal stripes. In descending order, the stripes are dark red, crimson, burgundy, dark burgundy, moderate grey, light grey, and lighter grey. In the center, there is a dark burgundy square with a thinner and slightly longer dark burgundy rectangle running vertically through it. End ID.]

[beesorcery]

ASTROBLEME I’M LOVING EVERY MINUTE A S T WHO KNEW I HAD THIS THIRST TO THINK THAT I MIGHT WIN IT IS ASTOUNDING NEWS AND I’M ABOUT TO BURST R O HOW WONDERFUL IT FEELS TO STAND SO CLOSE TO FIRST B L E I’LL MAKE IT HAPPEN AND NOT AS PREVIOUSLY RECKONED CAUSE I WILL NOT COME IN SECOND I HATE TO COME IN SECOND YES I DO YES I DO YES I DO YES I DO I WILL NOT COME IN SECOND M E ASTROBLEME THAT IS CORRECT MISS OSTROVSKY ELANGUESCENCE AM I A RED SOCK OR A YANKEE WHO WILL COME IN SECOND PEOPLE ARE SCARED OF ME AND NO ONE REALLY LIKES ME I WON’T COME IN SECOND HEY OLIVE DON’T THINK I’M DISTRACTED BY YOUR EYES OR YOUR SMILE OR YOUR HAIRDO OH THE THINGS I DO NOT DARE DO MY FEARS WERE ODIOUS AND FECUND YOU WILL NOT OUT RANK ME I WON’T WAVE MY HANKIE SECOND I WON’T COME IN SECOND WHO WILL COME IN SECOND SECOND ELANGUESCENCE E L A N G U E S S E N C E ELANGUESCENCE DING I’M SORRY THAT IS INCORRECT THE CORRECT SPELLING IS E L A N G U E S C E N C E ELANGUESCENCE NOW REMEMBER NO SPELLER CAN WIN ON ANOTHER SPELLER’S MISTAKE MR BARFEE MUST SPELL THIS NEXT WORD RIGHT TO TAKE THE PUTNAM BEE ARE YOU READY WILLIAM YES THANK YOU DOUG YOUR WORD IS WELTANSCHAUUNG WELTANSCHAUUNG YES OF COURSE MEANING ONE’S PHILOSOPHY PERSPECTIVE THE WAY YOU SEE THE WORLD THAT IS CORRECT WELTANSCHAUUNG W E L TAN S C H A U YOU DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO AHH DOO DOO DOO AHH DOO DOO DOO DAHHH I FEEL I’M IN MY GLORY BUT SHOULD I COME IN SECOND MAMA I MADE A FRIEND BUT WILL I COME IN SECOND I’LL LOSE AND THAT’S THE STORY IS SECOND FOR ME BUT WE ARE EQUALS MA WHERE NEITHER CONDESCEND MY FEARS WERE ODIOUS AND FECUND I AM I AM FINE WITH SECOND I CAN LIVE WITH SECOND YES FOREVER EVER ALWAYS SECOND WILL I COME IN SECOND WILL I COME IN S C H A U YOU IT’S OKAY BARF U N G WELTANSCHAUUNG WE HAVE A WINNER CHAMPION JUST SENSATIONAL CHAMPION REPRESENTATIONAL CHAMPION AT THE PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

[littleastrobleme]

SIR JOHN FRANKLIN? MY PERSONAL FRIEND SIR JOHN FRANKLIN?

I had a brief opportunity to visit Westminster Abbey recently and was able to locate The Guy Himself. Franklin's monument is really beautifully carved and very detailed and serves as a memorial not just to Sir John, but also Lady Jane, who passed away around the time of its completion. This was actually one of the last Franklin Expedition-related monuments to be installed in Britain, wrapping up decades of earlier memorialization efforts.

(p.s., McClintock and Rae were there too.)

[vavoom-sorted-art]

ASTROBLEME - Collab - Page 5

astrobleme [ as-truh-bleem ] - an erosional scar on the earth's surface, produced by the impact of a cosmic body, such as a meteorite.

A comic collab with @daneecastle, next page coming out on her page!

Beginning | Previous | Next

[daneecastle]

ASTROBLEME - Collab - Page 2

astrobleme [ as-truh-bleem ] - an erosional scar on the earth's surface, produced by the impact of a cosmic body, such as a meteorite.

Beginning - Previous - Next

A collab between @vavoom-sorted-art and I, Next page coming out over on her Blog on Sunday!

Check #astroblemecomic for updates!

Part 3 Cominc Soon!

[rotfalter]

Hey guys, I brought you some Crenny

it's my fanfic 'Astrobleme' that I'm currently translating to English

English isn't my native language and the fic itself was written in a bit special way with unusual constructions even for my native language (that's the spice)

so I would really appreciate if somebody could look through the text and help me improve the text a bit if you see some unnatural phrases or words that don't match

you'll find it here (I'm still translating though)

thanks 💙🧡

[fleurcareil]

West Quebec: 4 national parks north of Montreal & Quebec City

When I had checked in at national park Hautes Gorges, they already told me that most of the park including the river activities and most hiking trails were closed due to the high rain fall a few days earlier, but when I woke up the forest fire smoke had moved in as well; double whammy of climate change impacting my travel! 🥺

On top of it I felt crap from a cold that I had developed the day before (am thinking I got the virus on one of the boat tours when everybody was on top of each other to take pictures) so I took it extra slow in the morning, already cooking the rice for the evening meal (staving off a brazen chipmunk who kept jumping on the table) and even doing an old-fashioned steam session with vix under a towel to loosen it all up. 😂

From the visitor centre, I did end up doing a 8.4k hike, first up to a boring lake (undoubtedly made more unattractive by the smog) which was higher than I thought so was struggling to breathe in between my coughs and sneezes, and then along the river which was indeed raging; it would have been impossible to SUP let alone swim in the water! I then took the shuttle bus to a little dam where the water flow continued to be impressive so had some snacks at a picknick table while doing a crossword. Not feeling great at all, I skipped dinner & went straight into the tent at 6pm... not the best of days! 🤧

It was good that I had gone to bed so early as it meant that I had a few hours of sleep before a thunderstorm rolled in. I always find it a bit scary to stay in the tent but not sure the car is much better... the tent and I survived 🙃 but it meant that once more everything was damp/wet/soaked when packing up, truly the main downside of camping!

On my way to the next campground, I spent the day at Grands-Jardins national park, which was also impacted by the floods but luckily the "jewel" hike up Mont du Lac des Cygnes was open. At 8.6k and 500m elevation gain, the hike was not the easiest but my sneezing had already been much reduced (although I'm still coughing a week later) so I felt reasonably well. After the first viewpoint at a pretty lake (confusingly not the Cygnes 😜) the last km was a scramble up rocks and staircases, but then an incredible view opened up of the surrounding hills and valleys, all part of another massive astrobleme (this time the 11th largest of the world) when a meteorite hit the earth a long time ago. Beautiful! 🤩

Driving at the end of the afternoon towards Québec City, the rolling hills which were very pretty to drive through all the way from Baie-Comeau, made way for the flat plains around the river while in the distance the city contours with its chateau became visible... before I reached the "capital nationale" 😄 however, I veered north to a private campground close to park Jacques-Cartier. Generally, I prefer to stay in park campgrounds rather than in private ones, as they're more natural, cheaper and have better showers 😅, but this one was actually really good; it had a lot of space, amenities such as a fastfood truck, mini golf and a (now not so lazy) river where people floated on inflatables, and most importantly, a truly quiet nighttime!

Again, most of the park was closed as a result of flooding, so I did a lovely 4k hike around a cascading river (am feeling much better now!), and then felt incredibly lazy so hung the rest of the day at the visitor centre talking to my parents, writing the blog and putting my feet up! 😊😊I did start another small hike on the way back but aborted after 10 minutes, simply not feeling it 😝. In the evening, I had two trip firsts; I used a standalone rack to cook over the fire (private campgrounds don't provide a grill where park ones do), and I finally made my first s'more, with a kitkat as the camp store didn't have any real chocolate 😅. Very satisfying!!

Rain had been forecast for the next day however it was still dry when I woke up, so I swiftly cleaned up camp and did a 6.6k hike up a mountain. The view was not as great as I had thought it would be, but not complaining though, always a 100x better than a computer screen! 😉 The rain did start when I got to the top and quickly turned into a downpour, so had to do a complete change of clothes on my return at the visitor centre 😂... once I'm fully soaked I don't mind the wetness anymore, as long as I know I can dry & warm up at the end of it!

Not being in a particular rush to get to my next campsite in the pouring rain, I spent a few hours in Quebec's largest mall, the Galeries de la Capitale, buying some things and having chinese at the foodcourt! 👌 I'm not a big fan of malls, but this one was quite impressive with an indoor skating rink, a ferris wheel, rollercoaster and carrousel - although you can imagine the noise was ear deafening and a bit of a shock to the system after camping.

When I got to La Mauricie national park, the sun had come out again so spent a leisurely evening at the campfire, more my cup of tea than the busy mall! The next day started humid and cloudy, so I forewent another steep uphill hike for a series of shorter ones along the 50km park way. Driving from one end of the park to the other side, there's little hikes at lakes, bogs, viewpoints that are all equally pretty and don't require much effort, so perfect to drink my cup of tea while taking in the scenery! At the west end, people were swimming in the rapids, but instead I took a refreshing dip in the lake & then chilled on the beach for a while.

I won't post too many pictures of my campfires, but this one I was particularly proud of as it had been a struggle in the last days to get it going due to the wood being wet... very frustrating when the fire keeps fizzling out but now I heaped so much kindling on it that the strong heat dried up the logs quickly.

After 6 days of camping, I'm ready to get back to town and check into a hotel in Montreal and then off to northwest Ontario!

Wildlife: 1 porcupine (Hautes Gorges), 1 heron, tens of tiny frogs, 1 turkey & 1 deer (La Mauricie)

SUPs: none

Hikes: one at Hautes Gorges, one at Grands-Jardins, two at Jacques-Cartier, 5 little ones at La Mauricie