Our part time neighbors have gone back to their full time home so Karl and I walked our mountain loop this evening. The snow is gone, the larch are preparing to burst forth with new spring green needles, the floor of the path is gradually greening up.
It was good to see the familiar views back on the mountain loop.
Photos taken 4/19/2009 from a bit off the Rails to Trails path near Somers, MT.
Today’s raking involved rocks. It is impossible to plow the driveway and not gather a few rocks along the way, particulary at the end near the road which has some uphill bits. There is a window of opportunity for raking the flotsam back into the drive as well as filling in the wheel path with rocks from the “median” – that time when the loose stuff is not yet embedded and is easily moved. I hit it pretty well – it was fairly easy raking. We are to get a bit of rain later this week. After that between the Jeep, UPS, FedEx and the motorhome, the loose stuff will settle in.
Next was the Spring switcharoo – moving the snowblower to a back corner of the garage and bringing the mower and trimmer to the fore.
At the same time, I gave the garage a bit of a clean out via my least favorite implement, the blower. Much as I dislike the thing, it raises less dust than a push broom and also makes quick work of getting pine needles off the roof of the house and garage – that task is on the list for maybe Tuesday after a bit more heat and drying out.
Yesterday, I thought I saw a bit of new green in the larch…
I did! – It was very evident today. The larch, that look like dead trees all winter, are preparing to show their new needles…more green on the way.
The photo above was taken just a bit ago, this evening, but the blue sky, sunshine – that was how the day started.
With just a bit of snow left and a bumper crop of pine cones, pine needles and sticks, today’s agenda included raking the yard, along with a bit of a clean up of the motorhome.
Starting to look like a real yard.
By 1:00 I was done with yard and motorhome…and also done! Took a shower and tried to stay awake waiting for friend Kris, who was due for an afternoon visit. The first Spring workday was a bit tough!
I joined Bob on the front porch after Kris left. I plan on a couple or 3 or 4 Advil and then bed shortly, but it was a perfect Saturday – beautiful day, good things accomplished outside and ending the day listening to a soft breeze in the pines…from the front porch.
I love the woods at sunset.
Photo taken 4/16/2009 8:14 p.m. – Sunset tonight is 8:30 p.m.
Parking – all 3 spots ! – were full at our usual Somers walk spot (Rails to Trails) so Plan B – a small area just south of Somers. It is actually a public swimming area but there is a connection to a bike/walk trail as well as a bit of beach away from the swimming area.
I didn’t realize, though, that the winter lake level meant that this area was also high and dry.
I thought Karl would be ready to run out on the exposed sand and planned on walking to the island…
But he stuck to the “shore”.
While hazy, it was nearly 50 and he got warm and stuck to the partially shady beach area.
Summers in Somers shows a bit of what this area looks like in the summer.