Big fun

Karl and I took yet another trip to Whitefish yesterday. I picked up a glucometer to monitor Bob’s blood sugar at home. No one had to endure any idignities unless you count me, shelling out yet more cash to the veterinary hospital.

A Winter Storm warning has been given for tonight through tomorrow night with 6-12 inches of snow and a bit of wind forecast. Yesterday was THE day to get out and about so we did.

This open space – a completely different walk from our home loop and woods or the lake walk or even the walk by Whitefish. There are a couple of miles in 2 large loops on this land adjacent to a sports complex just north of Kalispell.

The walk path is obscured by blowing and drifting snow but there were remnants and no one else around. The sun was shining, the temperature was 30F and the wind, while brisk, felt good. Several times Karl broke into his “chase me, chase you” game with me and as we circled back to the car his tongue was hanging out and I had shed hat, gloves and unzipped my coat.

Then, pay dirt – literally! Under some lumpy snow, Karl found grass clippings. Karl LOVES grass clippings – the more decomposed, the better.

He dug them up, tossed mouthfulls in the air…

and rolled in them…Big fun!

I know that first photo makes it look like we are away from all things city, but the truth is, we are behind Costco and across the road from a Wal-Mart :)!

And, oh…took these photos with my phone…my almost 2 year old Blackberry Pearl Flip phone…

The fog lifts: on the Road Home

Yesterday afternoon, like Christmas Day, the sky suddenly cleared overhead and the sun broke through.

The hoar frost will not disappear until we get drier, warmer air.

But blue sky and clouds lit by the sun provided vivid color.

The fog lifts: on the Road Home.

Christmas Tradition

Karl and I have a Christmas Tradition. Early afternoon on Christmas Day we go for a long walk. I always hope that I can be on snowshoes and this Christmas I was. The deep snow from November had melted, then froze and earlier this week was topped with two fresh inches. It was perfect. We circumnavigated the property and the state land…in no hurry. The freezing fog had fed the hoar frost so the woods appeared like a frozen swamp – icy tendrils hanging off branches and moss.

Although the fog made the 24F temperature seem colder, we were both warm on our return so ended with some time on the front porch.

I sipped on fizzy apple cider and sat enjoying the quiet.

As Karl and I sat and watched, the sun came out, the fog lifted, the trees sparkled.

Christmas Tradition.

The color of fog

Another day of patchy freezing fog, patchy sunshine – and close to sunset a try at alpenglow.

These are the same photo – the first is a crop of the middle section of the second to show the color and the mountain.

When we get freezing fog, but not a complete inversion – and at this time of year with the sun at its lowest angle – the light and color is extraordinary.