Let it SNOW!!!!

With all this snow going on, I decided I needed to to invest in a pair of snowshoes! Dennis got these for me just in time for Valentine's Day and they are, appropriately enough, red! And no, they don't look like those big ol' tennis racket things from days gone by! They are smaller and allow you to move your heel up and down just like walking. Difference is, you have to space your feet a bit apart because they are a little wider. They have big claws on the bottom to bite into the snow and could really do a number on your vinyl flooring! (I must remember not to put these on in the house!) I am looking forward to trying these babies out on our next snow event - Sunday into Monday perhaps?! These snow days are awesome!! I am spending alot of time planning our trip to Italy in June. Just figuring out how to get from one city to the other, rental cars, trains, hotels, etc. is pretty complex! I thought Japan was the most difficult but not so! They have the commuting stuff down to a science with car rentals closely located to train stations. Not so in Italy. I invested in a map to see where things are located in relation to each other. I learned this lesson in Wales when we stayed in Lake Vernwy hotel and discovered you had to drive a zillion miles through pasture land to see any other signs of life. It was so remote, that wildlife had no fear of man and that little bird landed right on my rearview mirror with the window down! I think it was hoping for a ride out of there!!hah We stayed one night and they were mad that we left early. So now, Dennis always refers to that incident when I mention a place to stay on vacation! It was pretty, Dennis! Speaking of birds, I must be going to feed mine! Dennis is amazed at how much they eat in a day. I have bought TONS of bird seed this winter. I tell him that's the only way they have to stay warm because their metabolism is running at high speed. After all, how many obese birds do you see sitting in the trees? 'nuf said!

Hiking the Appalachian Trial!

Dennis and I decided to check out the chuch where we were married 22 1/2 years ago in Pearisburg, VA! Still happy after all these years!

It was surprisingly alot colder here than at home. We thought south meant warmer!

The section of the App. Trail we hiked was the "angels rest overlook". It was nothing but up,up,up for about 2 miles!!! Very tiring!

Me searching for the end of the trail!..........................

Dennis on the way back down the trail. There were cars from 5 different states parked along the road at the bottom. A small wooden sign was the only way you would know there was even a trail there! After that, we ate a Mexican restaurant and it was delicious with fried ice cream for desert. We decided to go on to Pipestem State Park to stay at the lodge. I've never been here but it looks really pretty! They had 3 feet of snow last week and there are still signs of it along the roads. Time to call it a day!

A hiking we will go.......!

Dennis and I decided to take off to Carter Caves for some hiking fun! We ended up going about 4.5 miles but the terrain made it seem a lot further than that!

Dennis leading the way at the beginning of the trail.......

There are lots of awesome rocks to play on and photograph.....

And you say "Why on earth did they photograph poop?!" Well, that's from our friend the brown bear who obviously forgot that he was supposed to be hibernating!!!!!! We looked on the internet when we got home to make sure that's what it was. Yes, we have a lot of time on our hands this evening! hahahaha And it was big...

Mr. Brown Bear had some deer-kabobs on this outing.......yuck!

Needless to say, we were hiking alot faster after this.........

Dennis posing (pre-poop encounter) by the frozen lake......

We actually rappelled down into this hole a couple of years ago! Not much to see once you got down in there and you had to ascend back out which was exhausting! But it was an adventure!

Crossing this bridge was scary. I used the points on the tips of my poles for traction. It was about 6 inches deep in ice!

I couldn't resist riding the "Ice Pony" near the bridge! Yes, it was cold and I had to put my hood up to keep from getting soaking wet from the drips above that formed it. Tooooo crazy!!!

Near the start of the hike. It's funny how there can still be ice and feel so warm at the same time! We had a really good time and it was nice just being able to get outside for a change. Remember, you can click on the pictures to enlarge them!

Cabin fever strikes Lynnwood!

Happy Sunday and we did have some sun! Dennis decided to get out of the house and try riding his snowboard even though the snow wasn't really deep enough to get in any great rides. The neighbors dogs were all "out and about" today, as well, and had alot of fun following us around. Dennis said he would go hiking with me afterward so I did yesterday's loop again today! My legs are feelin' it right about now too! There's one huge downhill that is difficult in the best conditions, much less when there's 2" of snow on it. I told Dennis, as we cautiously slid down, that it earned a five star rating in the "ass bustin'" category!!! hahahahaha At least I had my poles to help. Dennis had nothing! He said his legs felt like jello after that. So we came on home and looked at our pictures from the day. Lots of good shots! Then I made chili and cornbread and now I am watching the birds eat bread on the patio. Shaggy dog came by and sniffed the bread, stuck her nose in the air as if to say, "this is a meger offering to such a spledid dog like myself!" She then pretended to be offended and started to wander off. But then she turned around and forced a couple of pieces down (she wasn't foolin' no one!). I yelled "Shaggy" and she quickly turned around and ran home! hahaha

Walkin' in a winter wonderland!

After spending lots of time inside, I thought it would be nice to do my walk in the woods instead of the road this time. Hiking in the snow provides some different challenges like not really knowing what your stepping on or in. That's where the hiking poles came in handy. I would stab the ground in front of me first then take a step. I could also follow the numerous deer tracks through the woods. Not seeing any giant pits with deer in them, I could assume their path was a safe one! haha It also felt alot like walking in sand with all the slipping and sliding but it was well worth it. So peaceful and quiet.....The above picture is the pipeline road on top of the ridge.......

This is the trail on out the ridge where I usually see lots of turkeys.......

Who knew there was a waterfall up the hill?! I hiked straight up the hillside to get this shot of a fallen tree with it's roots around some rocks and the frozen water below. Cool stuff!!! Hard hike!

Dennis always has to get a picture of me ready to go. I guess he figures he can use it to show the authorities in case I don't come back???! "Yes, officer, she was wearing jeans, black jacket, etc." hahaha I always carry a radio with me and so I can keep in touch with Dennis from anywhere I hike! Quite handy!

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.
Albert Camus (1913 - 1960)

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.
Anne Bradstreet (1612 - 1672), 'Meditations Divine and Moral,' 1655

Lovin' the white stuff!!!

Can you believe all this snow?! I guess Mother Nature got tired of all that wishing for snow and said "OK, I'm gonna' let you have it already!!" I think it's absolutely fabulous and I was really glad they let us leave school early. The students weren't told until the last minute, which was kinda' funny. Here they were going to lunch about 1/2 hour early and no clue why. Some suspected but nobody would tell them because it would be chaos! haha So we left 2 hours early and took off for home. I was about 4 miles from the Kenova exit at about 1:30 when it just started with a few flakes. A little bit later it was pouring the snow! Lots of little birdies but no deer. I guess they are hiding in the bushes hoping for some sunshine! Time to bake some cookies!! Wheeeeee!

Things that make me smile!

TWO HOUR DELAYS!!!!!! It doesn't get any better than that!!! SWEEEET!
(Just had to vent some joy!)
Got the little deer their very own heated water bowl this evening! Mommy deer was the first to get a good long drink from it. One of the young bucks looked at her as if to say. "Hey, what are you doing???! That looks pretty good!" and then he sniffed her mouth! haha Hopefully, all the little animals will get some use out of it. I feel sorry for them in all this cold weather!
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!