Yesterday afternoon, after getting much exercise in the morning removing the snow from the driveway, paths, entries to the house and buildings, etc., we decided to go for a hike . . . for more exercise. (Just whose idea was that?)
Papa Pea had hiked the loop trail up behind our house once this winter with a friend, but I hadn't been on it yet.
He had encountered a couple of spots on the trail that were blocked with blowdowns so loaded a little sled with chainsaw, a couple of shovels and a pickaroon.
I've mentioned before that the first half of the loop is a steep incline (which always causes me to state I'm never going to hike it again) that goes straight northward. But then at the top we come to a ridge that we follow to the east for a while.
The ridge is relatively flat and makes for pleasant going after the first half of the trail climb.
Here I am, happy on the ridge where the walking is easy. The day was bright (yes, we had sun!) and beautiful and warm.
After the ridge, we turned and hiked southward and into the woods again. Here Papa Pea is clearing the last area of blowdown blocking the trail. (I think it looks like he has a pelt slung over his back, but it's just his sweatshirt he took off and tied around his middle.)
It's always a surprise to realize the different muscles you use when on snowshoes. I mean I walk and move around every day, right? But this morning the muscles in my feet and ankles are a titch on the sore side from walking on the snowshoes yesterday. A couple more hikes, now that we have the snow, and I should be back in snowshoeing shape. Or at least I hope so.
15 comments:
That looks like a fun day. Well, not clearing blowdowns, but hiking--oh yes!
Hubby and I walk every day.....but the first couple times out on the skis--OH MY! Totally different muscles. I guess that's why it's so good to vary the fun.
How gorgeous!!!
How beautiful! Snow showing sounds like fun- and hard!
Shoeing- I hate when my computer changes my words!
It always blows my mind that snow could insulate plants. :) And what pray tell is a pickaroon? I would love to have gone on that hike with you! Loved this post!!
Sue - Yes, we Olympian trained athletes do a lot of cross-training, don't we? Hohohoho! (Ask me why my wrists are achy right now. From my recent snow shoveling! Tossing the shovels full of snow. Geesh.)
LHinB - The sun really made it a bee-yew-tiful day!
Angela - Don't cha hate it when your computer thinks it's smarter than you are? ;o]
Walking on snowshoes does take getting used to, but it's not hard. The really good thing about it is that you swing your legs more from the hip than the knees and it will actually take inches off the ol' hip line if you do it often enough!
Laurie - You are always one ready for a new adventure, that's for sure! A pickaroon is a wood working tool that looks much like a long handled ax, but instead of the ax head on the end, it has a metal hook type affair that is used for whomping into logs and pulling them where you want them to go. Makes for a lot less bending over. :o]
Beautiful sunshine! Looks like a fine hike.
*Sob* We got a whole two inches. Which melted by the end of yesterday. Looks like a real work out but what a beautiful place for it~
Kristina - It did feel really good . . . especially that beautiful sun!
Susan - Well, a lot of this nice snow melted yesterday, too. We hit 40 degrees IN THE SHADE! Must have been really warm out in the garden area. Crazy winter. Dang crazy winter.
Mama Pea,
Working muscles you haven't worked in a while will require a nice hot Epsom Salt bath. Stay warm and safe up there.
Sandy - I suppose the best thing would be to work ALL those muscles regularly . . . but I'm not sure how one would do that! ;o]
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