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On snowshoes!
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On snowshoes! We haven’t been on snowshoes for a year. It snowed for two days, sometimes fairly heavily, at other times lighter, but it piled up to eight or ten inches, and after a cold night, it was time to strap on the bindings. The air temperature had dropped overnight a few degrees, to eleven, and the snow had never really quit. The trails at Al Sabo had been broken by skiers, so we didn’t need shoes, but my fingers get cold putting the shoes on and taking them off, so we stepped into them in the parking lot and kept them on. The main trail into the preserve was well travelled by hikers and cross country skiers, but after a furlong we branch off on a trail that leads to a switchback that takes us down to the southern edge of the marsh. The only tracks we saw there were those Gracie and I had made the day before. The snow had nearly covered those tracks, but I could see where we’d walked and Gracie knows the way anyway. I could probably do it myself in the dark. I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve descended that switchback. On the final turn, to the right and east, she always turns left and runs up the hill a way, and waits for one of us to tell her to get back on the track. It’s some unfathomable thing. It was cold and very windy, but we were overdressed, as is usual when the weather first turns cold. In twenty minutes we’d worked up enough of a sweat that PD was pulling off her hat and I was unzipping my jacket. I pulled off my right glove too, so I could use the camera. Gracie likes a fast pace. If I were twelve years old I wouldn’t be able to keep up with her. We hugged the edge of the trail where the snow was soft and not so packed. The shoes give you better traction, but you have to pick up your toes to avoid dragging the nose of the shoe and shoveling snow. New high tech shoes often have crampons built in…but we don’t have new high tech shoes. These are traditional Michigan, Ojibwa shoes- bear paws. They’re a workout, but in deep snow, like knee deep, there’s no other way to go. We didn’t have deep snow but I didn’t want to miss a year of snowshoeing, so we used them anyway. With a little luck, there will be cold and powder snow, and drifts, but this is an unusual year, so who knows? We took our customary break at the land bridge, sitting at the bottom of the hill, the north end of the Lookout Ridge, on the railroad tie stairs. We sit there til our<b> butts </font></b>get cold from sitting on the ice, and then move on. I spotted the muskrat again, swimming in the west pond, but he was too quick for me and swam out of sight before I could catch him with the camera. I’m feeling a little old this winter. Snowshoeing is work, but it’s never worn me out like that day. We were both getting tired as we struggled up the hill away from the creek bed, and we took frequent breathers. Once we got up on the plateau we could go a bit more easily- there were no more hills! We almost always bypass the steepest hill, going to the east into a white pine grove that links back to the Tibet Trail and takes us to the meadow. We watched Gracie run amok there. I felt like that once- running crazily just because I could, and rolling in the soft new snow. It’s marvelous to watch, even if I can’t do it any more. There are a few berries still hanging on, and the beeches will keep their golden leaves til spring, but otherwise we’re in the stark monochrome of winter now. The snow clings to branches and adheres to itself, drooping from limbs until it can’t hang on anymore and tumbles to the forest floor. The patterns and textures are unique and new everywhere you look. You have to stop and sit quietly to see it and take it all in. On the main trail southwest, back to the truck, we finally took off our snowshoes and hiked that last thousand yards or so, shouldering our shoes. We were only a half hour from the wood stove and a beer and a bowl of zuppa toscana.           Become a member now and get a free tote bag. |
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Not sure this "feeling old" is you. Even before I read the accompanying text, I looked at the pictures -- hey, now that Playboy's gone photoless I have to get my pictorial erotica from somewhere -- and thought "Wow, that looks like some seriously wet (and therefore heavy) snow!" I love to hike, as you know, and I couldn't help thinking that trudging through those woods on a snowy morning would tax me, too... although that's a tax I'd joyfully pay! Thank you, as always, for 45-plus degree NYC... Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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Gracie looks to be having a ball in the snow!  
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I always love reading your blogs and seeing your pictures. Nice one of the Mrs! I think I want to live in your area. Sure looks beautiful! Read RESPECT WE all NEED to do Better and Re Petition to Stop Transsexuals from Using Female Profiles
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Not sure this "feeling old" is you. Even before I read the accompanying text, I looked at the pictures -- hey, now that Playboy's gone photoless I have to get my pictorial erotica from somewhere -- and thought "Wow, that looks like some seriously wet (and therefore heavy) snow!" I love to hike, as you know, and I couldn't help thinking that trudging through those woods on a snowy morning would tax me, too... although that's a tax I'd joyfully pay! Thank you, as always, for 45-plus degree NYC... I have been getting worn out lately when we hike. You do have to get adjusted- walking in or on snow is harder than a dry clean trail, and we haven't had much snow til now. But my old joints have been protesting more than ordinarily. I sure hope this "adjustment phase" is over soon. I reckon it wouldn't hurt to drop a few pounds either. Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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Gracie looks to be having a ball in the snow! Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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I always love reading your blogs and seeing your pictures. Nice one of the Mrs! I think I want to live in your area. Sure looks beautiful! You know, I was thinking the same thing about where you live... Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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Great pictures!  (But you knew that. lol) Taking the time to sit and look at patterns at to just soak it all in. How I wish I had the time to do that! .. I saw some patterns in the snow the other day. I knew they had to have been created by some sort of phenomenon, but I was busy with chores and couldn't study them.  We're expecting a few inches of light fluffy stuff over the weekend. The kind that comes when it is very cold. ... At least it's easy to shovel! 
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Great pictures! (But you knew that. lol) Taking the time to sit and look at patterns at to just soak it all in. How I wish I had the time to do that! .. I saw some patterns in the snow the other day. I knew they had to have been created by some sort of phenomenon, but I was busy with chores and couldn't study them. We're expecting a few inches of light fluffy stuff over the weekend. The kind that comes when it is very cold. ... At least it's easy to shovel! Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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What lovely pictures, thank you so much...I especially love the picture with berries, its my favorite! Looks like a fun filled day with those who you love....keep on trucking!!! Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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Gracie looks like she is having fun there in the snow. I am heading to visit my Dad in snow country in the interior of BC on Thursday.. Nice pics there KZ hugssss V Become a blog watcher sweet_vm
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Gracie looks like she is having fun there in the snow. I am heading to visit my Dad in snow country in the interior of BC on Thursday.. Nice pics there KZ hugssss V Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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Down here in the land of fun 'n sun we call those "shoes" tennis rackets. It's a game the rich folk play, they run around and smack their balls on a concrete court in the Sun until somebody passes out or dies. Did you ever consider that Gracie is trying to show you something on top of that hill? A pot of gold, Jimmy Hoffa, the missing 18 minutes of the Nixon tapes? I know how you feel about that Muskrat being too quick. Every time I see some split-tail dear crossing the street, they're gone before I can find my binoculars. I think it's fantastic y'all get out there and fight the elements for a long walk, I can't consistently get off my ass to walk on sidewalk in warm weather. But, if I was following PD things would be a LOT different!   (I wasn't born yesterday.)Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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Looking more like winter Not enough snow here yet for snowshoes but that might be changing soon. On the other hand though it is supposed to warm up to the mid thirties and rain Saturday. Then it's getting cold again and snow of and on the rest of the week  I've never taken my cameras out when I was snowshoeing or anything in the woods, just stuff with the kids. I might need an umbrella as it seems I often find myself standing in the wrong spot when a tree unloads its snow, usually right down my neck Brrrr. I just love it when my glasses get plastered and my face is all wet. Damn thinking about that made me shiver! Vive La Difference
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Looking more like winter Not enough snow here yet for snowshoes but that might be changing soon. On the other hand though it is supposed to warm up to the mid thirties and rain Saturday. Then it's getting cold again and snow of and on the rest of the week I've never taken my cameras out when I was snowshoeing or anything in the woods, just stuff with the kids. I might need an umbrella as it seems I often find myself standing in the wrong spot when a tree unloads its snow, usually right down my neck Brrrr. I just love it when my glasses get plastered and my face is all wet. Damn thinking about that made me shiver! Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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I'm a spectacularly lucky man. And she makes great zuppa toscana! She makes a killer Alfredo sauce too. Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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I like potato soup pretty much any way it's made, but that one's my favorite. She uses lots of sweet sausage and kale and tops it with bacon. Magnifico! Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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Looks cold but beautiful! Great Pics Kzoo! Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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Quite lovely to look at...in your pictures while I feel cold in Georgia. LOL Beautiful. I love the sound of snow. I could almost hear it in the pictures.
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Quite lovely to look at...in your pictures while I feel cold in Georgia. LOL Beautiful. I love the sound of snow. I could almost hear it in the pictures. Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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I look at your pictures, and even if only for few seconds, they take away all my pain, my rage, my loneliness, my desperation............... Gorgeous picture of PD!!! WITHOUT PASSION LIFE IS NOTHING
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I look at your pictures, and even if only for few seconds, they take away all my pain, my rage, my loneliness, my desperation............... Gorgeous picture of PD!!!  Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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