When we hiked our loop last week to get our Christmas tree, we were surprised to see so many blow-downs on the path. So after lunch today, Roy announced he was going to take the chainsaw and clear the loop before the expected snows started later today. He asked if I wanted to go along for the exercise, and I could also help clear what he cut, but it just didn't strike me as the thing I most wanted to do just then so I declined.
About 20 minutes after he left, the guilt descended and I got to feeling big, fat and lazy for not going out when the temperature was so balmy (26 degrees), so I jumped into my outdoor gear and took off, hoping I'd catch up with him since he was stopping to cut at each place where the path was blocked.
The first part of the loop is a steep uphill and I quickly realized I should have put on snowshoes.
This looking backwards down the trail I've just come up. Depth perception is lacking . . . darn.
Every couple of inches of snow that we've been getting now and then lately mount up more than you think in the woods where no one keeps it shoveled or cleared away! Plus I was trying to go faster than usual wanting to catch up with and help Roy. Walking in deep snow is a lot like walking in sand. Exhausting!
Another backward glance at the trail behind me. The evergreens are so dark they look black in the gray light.
Well, I did catch up with him . . . back in the kitchen about five minutes after he had arrived home. I went all the way around chasing his boot tracks but never catching up with him. He said upon arriving home he had a three minute conversation with me before he realized I wasn't in the house.
We had both noticed fresh wolf tracks (I'd like to emphasize VERY fresh wolf tracks) on the upper part of our trail that parallels the back ridge. They kept going straight east, following the ridge, rather than turning down for the downhill part of our loop. Amazing how seeing the wolf tracks gave me the extra energy boost I needed to pick up my pace a little bit. (I did have an extremely close encounter with a bona fide timber wolf once years ago. I'll have to write that up in a blog entry sometime soon.)
It's now a little after 4 p.m. so we can look for the Big Snow to start soon. Right? Right. Bring it on. The wood box on the porch is more than full, food for dinner is defrosting on the counter, and best of all, we don't have to venture off our property for the rest of the weekend if we don't want to. Happy Snowfall!
Now it's your turn! Glad you don't have to go anywhere and are prepared. Your story of never catching up to your hubby (and him having a 3 minute conversation with you even though you weren't there) made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteHi Mama Pea,
ReplyDeleteI heard a big chunk of central and northern Minnesota is going to get hammered with blizzard conditions. We're still above freezing here, but winds and cold (no snow) is predicted for later this afternoon. I hope you stay safe and warm.
Do you sometimes hear the wolves howling at night? I can't wait to hear your "close encounter" story!
I, too, am eager to hear your wolf story (even tho I know what's coming)!
ReplyDeleteI wish you would and hope you will tell more stories of The Homestead Days when you were a young woman alone in the (relative) wilderness with only a 2-year old and a dog (while your husband was away at work) to "keep you company".
And, when you're done with the "close encounter" wolf story, tell the story about Max and the wolf!
xox
Annie - Only 'bout 2" of snow overnight, but now at 11:30 a.m. Sunday morn it's started to snow like it means it.
ReplyDeleteRuthie - We do hear wolves (more often brush wolves or coyotes) but not nearly as often as our daughter who lives even farther back into the woods. However, we see enough tracks to know they are around!
Chicken Mama - Your mention of Max's encounter with the wolves also reminds me of the three wolves attacking L's dog and me trying to save her. Gosh, I have lots of material for future blog entries!