Chiseling Away the Ice

In the last entry, I went hiking in the snow - Great fun! While back at home, the icy snow covered driveway was waiting to be shoveled.  I much prefer the light, powdery snow which you can easily clear. This snow could not be shoveled.It had turned to ice. It had to be scraped or chiseled away.

Last year, my favorite winter purchase was a pair of Microspikes for the boots. They are

fantastic because they enable you to hike even when the trails or driveway are icy.

This year, it may be this strange looking shovel. When our local friends who have been in the mountains for years saw this shovel, they politely shook their heads and said it was " interesting". I laughed when I first saw it arrive at our house. Way too big...how could anyone use it?

Today, I have to admit, it is a great shovel. I was able to clear most of the driveway by chiseling away the ice without leaning over constantly and killing my back muscles in the process.

My husband, the ever constant DJ in my life, played some highly energetic dance music from the window to keep me going after I had already been shoveling for over an hour. Ulterior motives, I know, but it worked.

My reward? Sitting by this fire and eating scrumptious blueberry/apple pie from Gary's Deli - The best pie in town!

A Cold and Snowy Hike

When the forecast is 100% chance of snow, it's exciting because the landscape will transform itself within a day or so. With that thought in mind, I took a hike to capture the clouds rolling in before the snow storm arrived.

Once the snow fell, we spent the day hiking the Devil's Slide trail. It is one of the most popular hikes in the San Jacinto Wilderness.

Suicide Rock is one of the majestic views from this trail. As we climbed higher, it became engulfed by clouds.

The 2.5 mile hike starts at 6,420 feet and reaches 8,100 feet at the Saddle Junction.

At the Saddle Juntion, there are trails which lead to higher destinations like Tahquitz Peak and San Jacinto Peak at 10,804 feet. Some of the trails are closed due to the Mountain Fire in July. They remain closed for safety reasons and/or natural restoration.

It was great to hike through this area which earlier in the summer was full of chest high ferns. It escaped the wrath of the flames that destroyed other areas.

 Walking through a snow covered forest before any other person brings feelings of peace and solitude. If you are lucky, you can see the tracks of animals who were there before you arrived. The forest was quiet except for the crunching of our boots in the snow and the occasional falling of icicles from the trees.

 The silence was broken when the Clark's Nutcracker began calling loudly from the top of a tall evergreen.

Although it was a very cold day, it was worth bundling up and seeing the beauty of the first major snowfall of the season.

Scenes of Autumn from East Coast and Sweden

Thanks to friends and family, I am able to share photos from the different places we live or have visited during this season. The journey begins in Georgia, travels to the northeast and ends in Sweden.

 

When bright orange pumpkins of all sizes are lined up on grassy patches for sale, I know Fall has definitely arrived. It continues after the leaves have turned brown and drop from the trees. Big piles are raked for the sheer fun of jumping into them.

If you live along the coast near the marsh, you know the seasons are changing by watching the green marsh grass change from gold to brown.

  

The Chattahoochee River flows through the state providing a refuge for wildlife and people alike. Numerous paths lining the river fill with hikers, runners and bikers.

  

 Being observant helps you discover unexpected surprises like this tiny, baby box turtle and this enormous Banana spider.

 

 

The 2,180 mile Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine begins near Amicalola Falls in the north Georgia mountains.

 "Remote for detachment, narrow for chosen company, winding for leisure, lonely for contemplation, it beckons not merely north and south but upward to the body, mind, and soul of man."   Harold Allen

 

The Northeast is a destination in the Fall for many people who want to see a forest filled with colors. The weather is nearly perfect on the east coast during the Fall which makes it a great time to be outdoors whenever possible.

 It would be great if we could all follow Nathaniel Hawthorne's ideal -

"I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house. So I have spent almost all the daylight hours in the open air."   Nathaniel Hawthorne

Unfortunately, we often take for granted things we commonly see like this Cardinal. When the leaves fall or snow arrives, we are quickly reminded that this bird is quite beautiful and brightens the days until Spring arrives again.

The Magpie is commonly seen in Sweden. I was captivated the first time I saw one.

Anna received a Puffin for her birthday this year. I hope to see one of these cute seabirds one day.It isn't an easy thing to do since they live and breed in colonies on offshore islands or coastal cliffs.

    

I would have loved to see this moose when it walked across our friend's property in the Swedish countryside.

 This final photo from the archipelago in Sweden is the Baltic Sea facing towards Estonia/Finland.

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike."  John Muir

Thanks to Noel, Suzanna, Roger, Per, Jan-Carl, Adam, Nancy and James for their spectacular photographs!

Scenes of Autumn from Northwest to Southwest

Thanks to our friends and family who live on the west coast or have visited places out west, I am able to share photos from some beautiful places. The journey begins in Washington, travels through California, Arizona and ends in Hawaii.

 

  Pumpkins whether plain or elaborately carved along with Halloween costumes are iconic symbols of Fall wherever we live.

 

When the sun is shining in the northwest, the views are absolutely spectacular. Ferries abound for traveling back and forth to the Olympic Peninsula, the San Juan Islands and Canada.

 This beautiful mirror mountain image on a lake was taken by our friends while hiking in Lundy Canyon which is located in the Sierra Mountains.

  When you explore the Sierras, you can easily see why John Muir was inspired.

  

Clark's Nutcracker is a resident of the Sierra Mountains. It buries thousands of seeds from pine cones each summer. The seeds that aren't eaten  in the winter and spring help to replenish new growth in the forest.

 

"Wherever we go in the mountains, we find more than we seek." John Muir

Another place we have yet to explore is the Sequoia National Forest. I know it will be amazing to be dwarfed by these huge trees which reach to the heavens.

In Idyllwild, the golden leaves of the Black Oak trees were surrounded by numerous evergreens. This season has been unique with the early arrival of snowfall in October and November.

Mono Lake is another place we have yet to discover. It has all kinds of unusual formations in the water. Millions of migrating and nesting birds depend on the brine shrimp endemic to this lake including the American Avocet  in the photograph.

There are no words adequate to describe the beauty of the Grand Canyon.

"The clear realities of nature, seen with the inner eye of the spirit, reveal the ultimate echo of God."
Ansel Adams

My final photograph was shared with me by a friend who recently visited Hawaii. I place this here in memory of our dear friends Susan and Darryl who loved this special place. Their spirits and memories live in the hearts of countless people who were touched by their kindness and love.

Thanks to Karen, Dave, Patti, Rick and James for sharing their absolutely beautiful photographs!