Snowy Afternoon Photowalk
Today was the first day in about…oh 2 months that the temperature got above freezing. Such an occasion is worthy of an adventure, so I put on my snowsuit, packed my snowshoes in my backpack, and headed out.
My destination was the city trail that heads South along the lake and across the long bridge. The trail is still covered with snow, and I was glad to have my snowshoes along.
At the trailhead is a large parking lot. In the summer it is full of Subaru’s with bike racks on the back. In the fall, a few cars will show up with “For Sale” signs in the windows. If the cars don’t sell in the fall, the owner had better get them before the snow starts to fall.
I am trying to decide whether the caption of this picture is “North Idaho Vehicle Security” or “Now where did I park that car?”
Right behind the parking lot at the trailhead is where the city puts all the extra snow–just in case we run out!
This is actually a huge pile of snow that has been removed from the roads. In the downtown area of Sandpoint, the city uses giant snowblowers mounted on road graders to blow the snow into the back of a dump truck. The dump truck empties the snow at the top of this pile. Right now, the highest point of the pile is probably 20 or 30 feet high.
The first and last picture were taken in black and white, the middle two photographs are actually in color. I guess today is just a mono-chrome sort of day.
Someone had been on the trail before me. I know they were there today because it snowed last night. Their presence was actually welcome because in snowshoeing it is much easier to follow a path that has already been broken.
Life is kind of like that too. It’s easier to follow the path that everyone else is taking, but the real challenge–and rewards–come with breaking your own path.
As I headed back home, there is a section of trail that follows the highway. A lot of the drivers were staring as they passed me.
I can’t help but think that they were actually envious of me as they sped by in their cars and I tromped through the snow breathing in fresh cold air and feeling the freedom of taking the road less traveled.
Tags: Photography, Photowalk, Winter
February 1st, 2008 at 2:49 am
Oh, I so miss those snowy walk in the afternoon (*envies).
February 1st, 2008 at 9:02 am
that look so cold for me who lives in a sunny country.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Such lovely photos!
February 4th, 2008 at 9:57 am
@ Ronnie–I would be happy to send you some snow. I’ll ship it UPS express
@lina–You could send us some of that sun, it would be appreciated. Actually the weather wasn’t that bad, and I was sweating by the time my walk ended.
@Diane–I’m glad you enjoyed them. Probably makes you think of the farm in Montana huh?