It was so warm in town we figured we would venture up to a trail near Snowbasin ski resort. When we got there the trail was still pretty soggy and as you can see there was still plenty of snow. We decided to backtrack down the mountain a little way and hiked through the canyon but not without looking around the area a little.
From the looks of it our east coast friends got buried again. Not sure how it happened but in this neck of the woods it was sunny and 70s. We took full advantage of that and headed to the beach. In March.
Wild
It is super fun right until you get salt in your eyes. Lunch restores good humor in record time though.
The lake and the mountains have become my landscape, my real world.
– Georges Simenon
"Keep close to Nature's heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean."
– John Muir
When we learned we were moving back to the mountain west I was determined to spend as much time up IN them as possible. We have always been hikers but our ranch in Colorado was 45min from the nearest trailhead. There were also farm animals to tend to twice daily. Things stacked up. It didn't happen nearly as often as we would have liked. That was one priority we had this time around – to keep close, to break away early and often, to climb mountains.
We started with Mt. Ogden since the western face trailhead is just a few minutes from our front door. It had been days since the last snow but the weather had already warmed to the high 60's. Short sleeves and sunglasses.
The peak is 9000ft so there was still a fair amount of snow as we neared the top. I made the mistake of taking the big girl camera along. It survived the climb but it definitely impeded my progress as the trail got icy. Next time – iPhone.
The views were incredible as expected.
I can't tell you how friendly everyone we passed on the trail was. Everybody said hello, talked to the dogs, asked about the conditions ahead or offered input on same if they were coming the other way. So by the time we were stopped for lunch and I was snapping this picture it didn't surprise us a bit when a couple passed and insisted I get in the frame too. I paused for a half second and said heck yeah because remember why? Because it's important that mom gets in the picture.
Between the dark and the daylight,
When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day’s occupations,
That is known as the Children’s Hour. - Longfellow
It's that late afternoon time, work mostly done and not soon enough for dinner yet. There aren't so many pressing things to do right now. We are in that in-between place with no commitments, not too many chores, that wonderful suspended time that cannot last. I admit it is more wonderful to me than to the teens who are anxious to be off and running and DOing. I've done a lot of doing. : ) I am really good with pausing.
So late afternoon we get creative. We make popcorn and play games we picked up at the dollar store. Read a book from the thrift store. Chop veggies for dinner.
In no particular hurry.
I have you fast in my fortress,
And will not let you depart,
But put you down into the dungeon
In the round-tower of my heart.
And there will I keep you forever,
Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
And moulder in dust away!
Break, break as my husband would say. So many things floating through my head lately. I have been reading like crazy and working on new (paleo/grain free/AIP) dishes and exploring our new area. We are buying an older home and are planning our projects. Also have yet to tell you about the biggest, most embarassing fiasco that happened AFTER all the events in the other day's story. Stay tuned for all that. But I digress to show you how we spent the day that was going to be a back-to-school day. : )
SNOW!
Surely the novelty has long worn off for east coast and midwestern friends and I do feel for you! Cold, icy snow is no fun. Let me tell you though, that bright, sunny, warmish snow is a blast. Especially when it melts the next day. From a photographer's standpoint it was heaven after years in a dark, wet place. (which I loved too but is a challenge to shoot in!)
The littles spent an entire morning making a snowman and pelting each other with snowballs. It was exactly what they needed. We are still in that place where their nerves are a little raw and they are extra sensitive. Things that normally roll off your back tend to suddenly appear impossible to ignore and tears make a regular appearance. Nothing better than to cut loose and run and play. It's a simple cure for most of what ails a person.
"There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing." – Ranulph Fiennes
Expect variations on this theme in the days to come. ; D
"A snow day literally and figuratively falls from the sky – unbidden – and seems like a thing of wonder."
– Susan Orlean
Wishing you days full of wonder whatever the weather.
Starry Sky Journal 