Just prior to Christmas we were experiencing some Global Warming effects -- one of the very very rare Green Christmas' in our memory.
I do recall, as a teenager, taking my Mom out in the canoe on Christmas Eve, so it is not unprecedented, but it is very rare.
In the absence of snow for skiing the trails, we have been -- quite simply, and quite gloriously -- hiking.
Sunshine pouring through the pines along the River Loop trail turned it into a cathedral -- very fitting for this holy season.
The Beaver Ponds have embraced the season -- frozen over, they provide a focal point to the hills beyond, which are themselves dusted with a light snow.
Now, we did get more snow on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We now look white... and Christmasy... but we are, admittedly, still short of snow, still long on hiking opportunities.
Not to say there's no winter up here -- in addition to long wonderful walks (and as a quick editorial aside, guests who were here for Christmas Day told us that they were delighted to just be hiking and spending time together. "It's easy," said Jasmin, "to do too much. We're happy just to be here, together.")
In another slide aside -- we caution people to STAY OFF THE ICE. Beaver Ponds may look enticingly skatable, but there can be currents that undermine ice and right now, while it is still firming up, it can be extremely treacherous. Taffy gave me minor heart failure when we got to the river. She happily ventured out following otter tracks... but just beyond this little swale you can see the river run. And run it does. The flow is fast. The shores are frozen. There is absolutely no way to get to anyone, dog or person, who falls in. I turned and ran the other way, calling, and she came racing after me. Whereupon she found herself on leash until we were well clear of the river. I felt really stupid -- I was the one who knew we were approaching the river. I was the one who knew about ice. She was just interested in the fascinating smells of otter paws... So -- keep in mind the Rule of Ice:
One inch: Stay Off
Two inches: One Person May
Three inches: Small groups.
Four inches: Okay.
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