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Tag Archives: snow

Over the River and Through the Woods

In Search of the Perfect Christmas Tree

Our good friends and their enormous newfoundland dog joined us for the day. After much organizing and loading we all squeezed into our truck and headed for the forest with our US Forest Service Christmas Tree Permits in hand. It was a perfect winter day with lots of sunshine and some fresh snow. Not too much snow. Last year there was so much we could not get to our favorite spot. We were in luck this time. This is our fifth year here and Ken and I have gone out on Thanksgiving weekend each year to search for our own Christmas tree together. We have gone from taking four dogs with us to just one. Sam is no longer limber enough to traipse through the woods and is content to stay cozy and warm at home.

 

But first, their was a downed tree across the road blocking our way

 

Steve and Ken made short work of it

 

Dogs romped and played before the unfortunate dog incident where 120 pound Micah pounced on 60 pound Luna.

 

This is the place.

 

Em is ready to help with his own saw as his mom looks on

 

That’s our tree! Thank you tree. And thank you Steve and Kim for finding it!

 

Luna is no longer comfortable with Micah.

 

There’s the happy family with their perfect tree!

 

And through the woods we go.

 

It was a parade

 

Ken likes this

 

The tree is just the right size for our house.

Such a pretty day.

 

Here comes Kim with their small tree.

 

And the guys brought in a big one for them

 

Em got to ski while the trees were loaded on the truck

 

First time this year. I think he likes it.

 

Short days

 

Headed home

 

Winter Begins

Yesterday Luna and I and Guthrie and Guthrie’s person Marcy went for an afternoon hike at Blue Lake. From the valley it was easy to see that the first snow had fallen in the North Cascades so we knew we would see snow along the way. We drove through it at Washington Pass and the trailhead was covered with white stuff. The dogs were thrilled to see fresh snow! Luna has been lucky to find snow every month this year. The north-facing slope didn’t provide terrific lighting for the afternoon hike however the grandeur of the scenery lit up our senses and we quite enjoyed the short trek to and from Blue Lake. The views were full of graphic bold images and reflections that left me wondering what was real and what was reflected. Lots of images were made.

This is an avalanche chute full of debris along the trail

Guthrie relished the snow

These brown icicles dripped off of an old log

Blue skies, fiery larches and new snow!

This larch seems to be waving goodbye to fall or hello to winter

The outlet

Reflections everywhere

What’s real

The iconic viewpoint for Blue Lake. It looks much different in summer.

It is almost too much to take in with one image

With the fading light, the mountains and sky provide a bold graphic image in black and white

Guthrie – who could resist this guy?

Gray Jays stopped to see if we had any food to share

Otherwise known as Camp Robbers

Color?

Or black and white?

Reflections in black and white

Goodbye to fall and Blue Lake for another year

Luna in her birthday buff

Again, what’s real and what is reflected?

Down the trail in the late afternoon light

Two peas in a pod

This tiny pond is a delight

Reeds, all bent in the same direction

With frosted Christmas trees across the way

And still, Blue Gentian blooming. In the snow.

After the Snow Fell

Yesterday, St Patricks Day, another four inches of snow fell! Much as I love winter and snow, I am ready for Spring. The weather gurus say this wet weather pattern will continue into next month although with maybe more rain and less snow. And after that, more typical spring weather, whatever that means.

As always, the fresh new snow was beautiful and now it’s melted and there is mud in the cleared areas.

 

 

 

 

 

Mt Robinson appeared as the clouds began to part

 

 

Rose Hips

 

Lichens

 

 

Likin’ these lichens.

 

 

Today the driveway is mud again

 

 

 

 

 

Says Phoebe singing from the highest peak of the roof

 

Across the valley

Another Morning with New Snow

image

I keep imagining that one day I will see green when I wake up.

Late Winter

Still lots of snow on the ground and with cold nights it is firm enough to walk on. Some days it is slush. Luna and Sam and I have been out quite a bit recently and the dogs are finding lots of interesting smells. Most are from the deer and voles, I think. But you’d have to ask Luna and Sam to know for sure.

 

 Yarrow against the sparkling snow

 

A serviceberry leaf still clings to the stem.

 

I think this is a big buckwheat. Or maybe a lomatium. I’m pretty sure it’s a buckwheat. I’ll remember in a couple of months when it starts growing again.

 

I found this fresh looking pair of antlers under a pine tree. It seems early for sheds.