Dandelions and Daydreams

It would be dishonest to say that I spent all weekend trying to get my computer back up and running–although, it was a good portion of my weekend.

Brenton had President’s day off from work. The morning dawned bright and clear. With spring just around the corner, the birds have come back to sing the sun up every day.

This has been and exceptionally long winter with an incredible amount of snowfall. I feel like I haven’t seen the sun in ages. The lure of sunshine and melting snow was just what I needed to get out for a photowalk.
We stopped at the grocery store to buy sandwich makings before heading to the Kootenai wildlife refuge which is located West of Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

The snow was ice-crusted and shallow enough to hike without snowshoes. Our snow poles came in handy when walking over the slick ice.

The trail was uneven and the snow was covered with animal footprints along with the occasional scat piles. We saw a herd of about 10 deer crossing the road. Most of the prints in the snow were moose and elk.

You can see from the pictures: The sky was clear blue and the day really was perfect for hiking. All told, we did about a 3.75 mile loop. We didn’t see much wildlife (other than the deer), but that was probably because I kept on talking…and talking…and talking to my husband.

We keep on moving forward, one day at a time, trusting that spring is closer today than it was yesterday.

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.

Photowalking, as defined by wikipedia is:

the act of walking with a camera for the main purpose of taking pictures of things you may find interesting.

I’ve only heard the term used recently, but I’ve been doing it for years (just ask my mom about the cat pictures)!

Today I bundled up and went for an afternoon walk to catch some photowalking time before the sunset. I decided to take my camera along so you could come with me (without the cold fingers, the drippy nose, and the rosy red cheeks of course).

My First Official Photowalk
(click thumbnails to see full-sized images)

I started my afternoon walk headed out towards city beach. The water surrounding the marina and heading up Sand Creek has started to ice over into a slush. The marina sits empty now, but in the summertime it will be full of great big boats and bustling with people.

Crossing the bridge over Sand Creek, I saw a handful of mallard ducks swimming in the un-frozen sections of the creek. I’m glad I’m not a duck because today is a cold day for a swim!

I watched as one of the ducks took off for flight, but I had forgotten my gloves. Cold fingers won’t allow for still feet very long, not even when there is duck-watching involved.

Heading on down the path, the park was basically deserted. The grass has turned to dirt and the flowers have faded away. The driftwood “garden” that is at the top of the boat ramp actually stands out more when the bleached, weather-worn wood is not hidden by pansies and petunias.

The patterns on the driftwood stumps are so intricate and interesting. I had to stop for a few macro shots before heading on my way.

The dock and the beach are empty now, and it makes me a little sad. During the summer this scene would be crowded with people.

November is possibly the dreariest month, in North Idaho. The glories of fall have passed and right now we are all just waiting for the thrill of snow, and the start of ski season. It usually starts the day after Thanksgiving, but there is only 4 inches of snow on the ski slopes.

The sun hung low in the sky and my shadow stretched out long headed off towards the mountains across the lake. A cold wind was blowing in over the water.

I kept my ungloved hands stuffed down in my jacket pockets (except when I was taking pictures of course), and I kept my scarf wrapped tight around my face. I did my best to cover my ears and nose and neck with it. Every time I breathed, my glasses fogged up. I only pulled my hands out of my pocket to re-wrap my scarf and cover my nose again.

I have never taken much notice of this lion before, but I have been reading the Chronicles of Narnia series over the past few weeks. Somehow, I think he could be a Narnia Lion, and maybe he could even talk–once upon a time.

Today, he just sat cold and silent watching over the beach.

It was a cold, and muted sort of day at the beach, and just the sort of day to snuggle up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa. I left off my photowalk and headed home. My cheeks rosy and my fingers longing to wrap around a much of hot chocolaty goodness.

Before I left, I took one parting shot. Just in case you were tempted by the film of ice covering the water, “No Lifeguards, swim at your own risk!”