New Haunts

I set out for an afternoon snowshoe not knowing where to go.  I had visited all my old haunts recently, and was craving something new. 

 

I went through the swamp and climbed up a small valley.  From there, I just walked through the woods.  The hardwood forest made for easy walking and the sun was making the snow shine and sparkle all around.

 

Eventually I came across a creek bed.  I followed it down to the river above the falls.  I am so glad I found this creek as it serves to add to my knowledge of the geography back there.  I look forward to visiting it in spring, when it is overflowing with melt water.

 

The next time I visit this creek, I will hike up away from the river to find it's source.

 

 

 

 

Onward, Winter

Winter soldiers on. 

 

Yesterday I set out in the blowing cold and snow to visit the falls.  Getting there this time of year can be tricky, and I wouldn't recommend it to someone who hadn't visited in other seasons.  The water is quite high right now, and you never know what lurks beneath the surface of deep snow.  I stick to areas I know are safe, give wide berth to spots I know have water in other times and watch where the bigger animals are making their paths. 

 

It was a rewarding trip, although I am ready to see what Spring will bring.

 

 

Quiet

Early this afternoon I set out in the brilliant blue and sparkling white to hike through the woods to the place we call the second beaver pond.

 

As always, I came out of the forest feeling refreshed and so lucky to live in such a beautiful place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding Peace

I don't really feel like myself unless I'm engaging in regular physical activity outside.  Snowshoes have recently saved my life.  The vast amount of snow, and until very recently, the temperatures have kept me inside, running only on the treadmill.  That's just not enough.  I need to be outside, among the trees and breathe in clean, fresh air. 

 

In the past week, I've visited almost all of my spring, summer and fall hunts

in the fields and forests across the road.  Yesterday I made it back to the beaver pond and way up high above the marsh.

 

Moving through the forest, in the soft, deep snow, there is just the shush, shush, shush of my snowshoes.  At the pond it is completely silent.  A place to be alone with my thoughts.

 

Something has been missing since Christmas, but I've found it again, and all it took was for me to get outside.

 

 

 

 

Afternoon Snowshoe

Snowy Days

I really dislike weather complainers.  You know the type- those people who complain about what's going on outside no matter what.  Too cold, too wet, too hot, too snowy. 

 

I try hard to not be a weather complainer, but this winter is wearing on me.  It's almost always too cold to be out and about with a tiny little girl, and if it's not too cold, it's too snowy or too windy or...you see where I'm going here.

 

 

I try to get out when I can, but even then, there isn't anywhere to go!  The snow is far too deep.  Up and down the driveway we go. 

 

I long for spring days when I can put her in the back pack, pull on my boots and head off across the fields.

 

 

 

 

Nothing to See Here

You know, there really isn't much to see on a frozen lake when it's covered in many feet of snow.  The shoreline holds some interest, but it's mostly just a vast, blank whiteness.  It was hard going today, too, even in snowshoes.  The snow is that deep.