SNOW FOR SALE!

White Snow for sale, white snow for sale

Plenty of fresh white snow for sale!

It’s never been used, but it is kind of thick

Grab what you want, just take your pick!

Our yard is now gone, its over the trees

Just take it away! (I’m down on my knees).

The price is just right, we’re talkin’ cheap

For the cost of a smile, we’ll give you a heap.

It’s up to the porch, but we’ve cleared a trail,

The discount is deep, it’s quite a sale!

No need for a check book- just bring up your truck

We’ll all help you push, when you get stuck.

White snow for sale, white snow for sale!
White sticky, white licky, white snow for sale!

Hurry come quickly, as the prices won’t last

To get the fresh pickins’ you better act fast.

Spring inventory is coming, we need to make room

Under it all, daffodils want to bloom!

I’m tellin’ you cheap, is the cost you will pay...

Just take it, just take it...just take it, away!

White snow for sale, white snow for sale

White milky, white silky white snow for sale!

We finally got winter!

Winter continues to come to the mountains. My favorite snowmobiling area is this giant series of a dozen or more meadows and gentle terrain, near Blewett Pass. As luck would have it- they were untouched and we got fresh powder all day combined with perfect, sunny winter conditions. But was it ever cold! Leaving the parking lot it was a frigid 8 degrees....brrrr. Thank goodness V bought me a heated vest for Christmas several years back- it was the ticket! These are the kinds of days I dream of in winter. Here's our video scrapbook of the day.

It's snowing!!

After 8.5 years, I've finally given my notice at REI. It seems a little strange and somewhat surreal to be leaving as it's been my 'home' base for work all of these years. Co-workers are friends, daily tasks are automatic, and the memories of good times and laughs are plentiful. My end date is not yet determined as I've agreed to help ensure my replacement hits the ground running.

My new ship is sailing and I have to jump in the captains seat. I continue my daily writings of my guide book and look forward to spending the summer documenting, journaling and photographing trails- both the Wonderland and the PCT. Anyone looking for some backpacking is welcome to join me! It's a lot of work, and is going to be a fantastic labor of love. Since childhood, I've loved writing and this is the perfect marriage of the outdoors and my talents. I couldn't be happier and nauseatingly to some...I can honestly say "I'm living the dream".

It's anyone's guess where the ship might turn from here, but I'm excited to find out. A leap of faith- and it will be revealed! For now... I write.

West Yellowstone

We enjoyed seeing a very different winter on our recent trip to West Yellowstone than we were having in the Northwest. We even found some powder!

V's B-day

And so the day comes when you inevitably realize that you are one year closer to 40. And while it still feels like you are a kid and 40 still sounds old, you realize that 40 isn't very old and age is really a state of mind. Or at least that's what they tell people on their birthday to make them feel better.

But...just like a good car, it's not the age...it's the mileage. So this year to celebrate youth, V got something he's been admiring from a shop window for several years...a hobby plane! He's having a blast flying it a field in the valley and is hoping to get skilled enough to fly it here around our trees and neighboring homes. I'm in awe of his dexterity..he's a natural at flying this little thing. It's so fun to watch it go, watch it wing tip and land.

He also got a small helicopter that is for indoors and I can't list the number of times I've been at my computer writing and I turn around and see what looks like a large mosquito heading my way. He's hit the dog twice and Summit cowers under me when V gets that toy out. I'll have to snap a picture of it- it's really cute and once again... despite a few dog nose casualties, he's developed pretty good skills. I've decided he can play chicken with the next bat that shows up in our house.

Since I had the camera out, I snapped a couple of Pup, too.

Unseasonably Warm

While Andra and the east coast get their fill of winter, the last few days here have felt more like spring. Today our high was nearly 60! It was just enough to confuse the plants, wildlife and me. I took a fantastic outing today and found several bird friends who were kind enough to let me photograph them. What luck that woodpeckers showed up at the lake. I haven't seen any since last spring, except Northern Flickers. This is a red-breasted sapsucker, sucking...well...sap I suppose. He also ate a few bugs while I watched.

Then I found this little lady- a beautiful Hairy Woodpecker, working the smorgasbord of bugs on each tree and log.

And... my 2 friends the Chinese Swan Geese were still at the lake. They are the supreme leaders of the bird flock (made up of canadian geese and ducks). The rest of the water fowl waddle along behind them, as if they are following the King and Queen. These two must have been someone's pets because as I watched, a man was almost able to pet the male. Then, when an old dog went down to chase them, the goose turned on the dog and chased it! It was hilarious and I've never seen an old, arthritic dog move so fast. They are noisy too and bring a very distinct loud squawking to the normally quiet lake.

And lastly, I present...one frightened little hoary bat. This poor creature ended up cruising around our bedroom before V helped it find it's way outside. This house was likely the largest tree it had ever seen- no telling how it found it's way inside. Isn't he darling, though? Look at that little pug nose and he's all fuzzy with his winter coat...