MVSTA said that today is probably the last day of grooming at Big Valley this season. Only one thing to do. Luna and I headed up valley to take advantage of the day.
The Methow River
Reflected trees
Love those curls. Next week, Luna gets a hair cut.
I discovered that the snow in the field was still firm enough for skiing so off we went. It was great – nearly effortless skate skiing.
But Spring is just around the corner. Skiing conditions are highly variable but when they are good, they are very, very good. We still get intermittant snowfall but also warm temperatures are lessening the snowpack in the valley. More animals are moving about. My neighbor even claims to have seen a chipmunk already! Seems to early for them to be out and about.
Making first tracks on the Community Trail near Browns Farm
Big Valley, seen from the Community Trail
Lots of squirrels are enjoying the warm afternoons. This one is perched just above its burrow in the snow.
The Methow River from the Suspension Bridge
Winter still has a pretty good grip up in the Rendezvous area.
I know, it looks like I have been playing a lot; however I’ve also been doing some serious work. You can see that at Reflected Light.
It’s been a hard two weeks around here. In addition to losing our old dog, we’ve both been sick and there was a series of home maintenance issues to deal with. It looks like we have dealt with the house stuff. Ken is more or less well and I am getting better.
Luna and I really needed some exercise so yesterday we went to Big Valley, despite less than stellar conditions. The weather has been warm and the snow is really, really soft. It was a slow workout, that’s for sure. The sun came out and birds were singing as if Spring is just around the corner. Lots of chickadees and nuthatches and a woodpecker. One other bird sang and I did not recognize its call, didn’t even seem like one I had ever heard before. If I’d had more time, I would have tried to track it down. A merganser drifted down the river and dippers dipped in the cold water.
Looks like some interesting lost and found items
How can a person resist this dog?
Those arrows always puzzle me
She knows the way to the river
Ponderosa Pines are one of my favorite trees
Happy dog!
The freezing rain that coated the soft snow with a hard crust gave the trail groomers something good to work with. The ski trails had been soft and slow with all the new, cold, dry and powdery snow last week – good for classic skiing. The last couple days, they trails have been faster and more fun for skate skiing.
A thin layer of fog hugged the lowest trees as the sunlight climbed up the hillside
Ice coated everything, even the fence wire
Skate skiers
Great morning on the MVSTA Community Trail
Some days are better than others. Most days are good but some are really better. Today the sun came out after days of new snow falling. The sun revealed things we could not see with the gray light of snowfall. What a change! My friend and I went skiing at the Chickadee trails near Sun Mountain and while the trails are a little slow from all the new snow, the sunshine and blue skies and gorgeous landscapes all around us made it seem perfect.
After fresh snowfall, you have to watch out for those dumps from the big trees! They can bury you if your timing is bad. Or maybe you will just get a touch of the frozen fairy dust sparkles on your face.
I have not seen or even heard any Northern Pygmy Owls this winter and I mentioned it to my friend who said she hadn’t seen any as well. Much to my surprise, I spotted one on the Sunnyside trail on this bush maybe only six or seven feet above my head!
Sharing chocolate
Living in the Methow is the best.
My Everyday Photos 