Gone to the dawgs....

We had some digging out to get done. Thankfully Frank did show up late in the afternoon to clear the driveway so I didn't have to go through 8 inches of snow. I let Hannah help me clean the back step. I figured she would have wanted to go in with Charlie but she wanted to follow me around.


She stepped off the back step and went plop face first off the step and into a snow pile. It didn't seem to faze her one bit. She kept attacking the snow I tossed with the shovel. It was a great game for her.

 

After warming back up, we decided to go for a walk to the creek. I needed to tire Hannah out, she was getting rambunctious after being cooped up during the storm.

Hannah followed Charlie who bounded ahead like a snow plow. I thought they would be smart and follow my tracks since the snow was at least 6 inches or more in places.

When we turned back to go back up the hill Hannah raced up along the broken trail. Charlie was more than content not to have her following him so close.

The look I get once in a while from Hannah. I really wonder what she thinks about all of this. Probably not much since dogs live for the moment.

The intended result was what I wanted. Sleepy puppy and sleepy Charlie.

Well 'the kids' were resting up from their afternoon adventure, I thought I'd take a few more shots of the flowers from the old bouquet I still have that is hanging on.

I leave you all with this. Something that should make us chuckle in these strange times.

Last days of January

I needed to get out with Charlie as we were both going 'nuts'. It warmed up just enough to feel sort of okay with a face mask.

I drove the short distance to the local DNR land at Tainter Creek. My big surprise when I got there was that the DNR had mowed the flats down. The tiny bushy trails were gone and the area was cleaned up. I imagine it was time so that when Trout Season opened, the anglers [and people like me] could walk along the stream and enjoy its beauty.

Tainter Creek is in one of the most steepest valleys in our area. If we get a flood, this place is under water. 

Roads quickly get washed out and slowly get repaired.

2018 Washout:

But all is good now. We got there on the 30th when the sun was disappearing over the southwest hillsides. Part of the valley was sunny, the other half was in deep shadow.

Sign for this area

Most of this first walk was in shadows and between the shadows and the stream and a light breeze, things got pretty chilly.

We didn't make it all of the way around because 'someone' got cold. Probably from me stopping and taking so many photos of the ice and water.

And this little guy sat in the cold and ice to watch a squirrel tease him on the other side of the deep stream. 

I went back the next morning and left Chilly Willy Charlie at home to recover. This way the only feet that would get cold would be my own.

The warmth could be felt from the sunlight in the morning and the glow from the hillsides were reflected in any open spots.

It was simply stunning.

My feet did get a bit cold while standing in the deeper snow and squatting next to the stream. But it was all worth it.

Tainter Creek DNR land is worth the look.

In the spring the ephemerals are all over this valley. Blood Root, Virginia Bluebells, Dutchman's Breeches, anemones, Trout Lily's and so much more.

I've rarely ever visited this valley so close to home in the winter. I am glad I did.

My feet did warm up once I got to the road and walked back to the parking area. 

I'll go again once the weather makes another change.

Charlie?

He said he'd wait for the next big adventure which we had planned for Sunday.

Take a hike

~~~

After a few days of staying indoors except for chores ---> which I did with my wonderful get up of goggles, mask, insulated coveralls, and insulted boots...and pasture checks in said sub freezing temps....

I decided that 18 F [-7.77 in C] was a really warm day and a good one to go exploring. Even Charlie wasn't going to let me outside without his permission.

He does have the bossy characteristics of a Dachshund when he really wants something.

Off we went. As soon as we hit the road, it started snowing. Well, I do have a Subaru and it is meant to deal with my steep driveway and poor weather, so we just continued on. 

We had ice to explore [the good kind that Mother Nature makes].

We went looking for some familiar ice formations.

I took my Infrared Camera so that I could photo the ice and it would show up better against the snowy background.

For anyone interested, this was shot in IR Chrome. Chrome was used during WWII to differentiate between camouflage and real foliage. The filter was developed to make anything with chlorophyll to show up as red or hot pink. Any 'fake' camo would show up easily.

The Infrared filters are for more creative photography. I like to use it in the winter to separate the ice formations from the snow surrounding them.

Here is the view on the last part of the trail through Hemlock trees.

Below is a glimpse of the Kickapoo River which still has a bit of open water showing. I imagine by Saturday or Sunday that will be all ice. However, the river still flows underneath. 

I've walked this trail more times than I can count. Each time I go, I seem to discover something different.

What I discovered this time is that the 'pines' I was walking through are actually Hemlocks. Frankly, I never thought of what kind of pine tree it might be until I was fascinated by the snow falling on the little needles and then the tiny pine cones that reminded me of Tamarack trees.

Chippy accompanied us, however, Charlie wouldn't sit with him at the end of the trail. He was more interested in the coyote tracks in the snow.

Still, the scene was quite beautiful with the falling snow making everything look soft.

The roads were snow covered by the time I drove home. 

Body shops and caves

 

So I finally got a carwash and took my car in to see if they could buff out the scratches on the right rear side where that lady hit me two weeks ago. The damage was more than I thought it was, however, it is cosmetic. That said, I'm pretty particular about my 10 week old car.

Talk about sticker shock. Think of your modern cars as Lego cars. If a part gets damaged, they have to take the bumper covers off and repaint it. They can't buff those parts out, they are not metal. 

Okay. That was enough bad news for Monday morning. So instead of doing my paperwork, I took a drive while the body shop worked up an estimate.

I ended up at Wildcat Mountain State Park to visit the very large Ice Cave. It is a short walk and is very popular on the winter weekends so I figured Monday was a good day to go.

It was amazing as usual. Below is a tree root that got ripped off one of the rock bluffs with the last big rain and washed into the picnic area. I didn't have anyone to stand in front of it for size.

Evidence of family fun in the picnic area:

The trail was straight forward and very level. I'd say it is only a quarter mile long to the rock shelter, but once there your jaw drops.

The scale doesn't look that imposing. So I set up my bendy tripod and did a selfie. 

I'm still not next to the rock wall which drops about 6 feet down behind me. But I did walk around the ice curtain and take shots. The piles are where the ice melts and drops and then forms again.

Below.
10 years ago with my stepdaughter in blue and grand daughter in the middle. Me in the skunk hat. By March, the ice curtain is massive if there is a good winter of thaw and freeze.

This is why I find winter so amazing and exciting here where I live and why I learned to dress for the weather and enjoy winter hiking more than summer hiking.

The water comes off the rocks and eventually runs along the rock wall and into a small creek which empties into Billings Creek.

The colors were beautiful.

To get around all of the ice, cleats are recommended.

I left there and took another drive to see Warner Creek. I walked around the rock bluffs and explored some of the rock formations that are so unique.

Charlie wasn't really with me, but I had his Mini in my pocket so I could take a shot at the unusual rock structure.

I am never short of amazed at these rocks. The details almost look hand carved and are so tiny that if you don't look close you'd miss it.

When I got home from my drive and exploring, I felt calm and collected. I was able to sort paperwork and text the lady that hit me.

To my utter surprise, when I sent her the estimate she replied that she would contact the body shop and pay for it.

This indeed has been a very auspicious beginning to 2026.

Snow, snowfall, Frank the Plow Guy

Saturday morning. We had 4 inches by 
chore time. 
How can I tell?
It was chest high on Charlie.

He is a reliable measuring 

dog.

Sundance during the 

storm.

We ended up with about 7 inches depending on where the wind blew. 
 

I stressed all morning wondering if Frank the Plow guy was still plowing this year and if he remembered to put me on his list.

ALL morning. I paced, I cleaned the house, I dusted, I must have put on  quite a few steps pacing.

I cleaned up my Lego Medieval Village and considered starting to take out my Christmas Legos. I paced some more and moved a large cabinet to clean behind it.

[I texted him and asked if he was still plowing this year and if he was, please not to forget me. He never really checks his texts, he is an old fashioned farmer/earth moving guy who has a gravel pit.]

He is just Frank. 

Around 1PM I gave up pacing and got dressed to go out and shovel another walk way. 

I heard the rumble of his ancient red pickup. There he was just a grinning away. We spent a few minutes discussing the weather and the passing of his brother and his father this past year.

With a big smile on his face [and one on mine] he continued to plow that long driveway hill of mine and I felt a peace come over me.

When I came back inside I announced, "Frank was back!" I knew the house was empty, but I also knew that I was telling this to my hubby.

A friend suggested I purchase a side by side and a plow and do it myself. I weighed the cost vs. paying Frank and decided I would never spend the price of a UTV in plow fees.

I just have to be patient because as Frank said. "Oh, I'll get to you eventually!"

Now to get out and enjoy some snow scenes and shovel an area for Charlie to do his business. The snow comes up to his nose.

Gun season ends at sundown.

Goodbye November.