Out with Karl shortly before 8 p.m. last night, I noticed magenta streaks through the trees to the east. We jumped in the Jeep and sat in our usual spot to watch the colors. Turning around to come home…
Snow on the mountains above the house. It was raining when we pulled in the driveway.
This morning, it is snowing…
Happy First Day of Spring! I know – that doesn’t look like Spring. It was in fact, the last day of Winter…yesterday. Yesterday, was sunny and 40ish and I had errands in Bigfork, so we tacked on some beach time. This “beach” will be gone soon. As the snow pack melts and the powers that be allow the lake level to rise, the area that Karl and I enjoy in the winter will be under water. When the snow melts, it is all rocks, so now is the time to really enjoy it!
A beautiful day!
A gaggle of geese sat in the water across the bay. Suddenly, the volume of honking increased. They rose – circled – started forming the V – an incredible sight and sound!
If you have never read or seen the why of the goose behavior: The Goose Story
Picnic tables, campfire rings and camp sites wait for summer. Late Spring through early Fall, people who work nearby come to this park, bring their lunch and enjoy a quiet and peaceful time by the lake. The camping area is beautiful – sites from tent size to a few that will accomodate the largest RV – but all somewhat private with views of the trees and ferns. Paths from the sites, wind through the woods to the rocky shore of the lake. Even in the height of summer, when all are full, it is a beautiful spot.
Today, the first day of Spring, we start letting go of Winter.
Yesterday morning…
Today is the last full day of Winter according to the calendar. There has been snow – a lot of snow! – on the ground since December 14… a late start but made up for quickly. As it has warmed up and a lot of melting going on, I’ve been looking at the calendar, past emails, past photos – looking for the “proof” that all the snow will go away…someday.
Despite my anxiousness for green grass, wildflowers and Spring, yesterday’s snow was a beautiful gift!
This winter, I’ve snowshoed at least once and usually 3-4 times every day – enjoying the woods and mountains and trying to keep up with Karl
It has been a wonderful winter for playing outside. Each snowfall, every night of alpenglow, each sunrise and sunset are unique.
We have enjoyed them all.
Yesterday, might not have been the last blast of this winter, but it was lovely and a wonderful reminder to enjoy each moment of each day for whatever it might bring.
It snowed late yesterday and last night. It started as an off and on mini-blizzard and then settled into great clumps of flakes by the time I went to bed. It dropped below freezing and froze the clumpy snow to everything. Beautiful!
These photos were taken this morning as the sun was clearing the mountain tops, about 1/2 hour after official sunrise.
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Saturday, noonish, Karl and I headed to Wayfarer’s State Park for a walk on the beach. I was surprised to find the parking area filled with trucks and boat trailers. There is still not much of a parking area as the primary day use parking has not been plowed. On this day, every spot designated for vehicle and trailer was full as well as every other plowed spot.
The Jeep, though, is no stranger to snow, so we parked in the day lot, in the snow. Two men near were readying a fishing boat so I asked about the “crowd”. There is a fishing tournament on. It is a yearly thing. They laughed at my saying that I was surprised at the number of boaters on a cold, gray day: “Any day is a good day to fish” was their reply. They went on to tell me that they were not in the tournament, but that they recognized most of the trucks and trailers as friends of theirs that were participating.
Karl and I walked toward the lake and watched them launch on an icy ramp. It was relatively warm at 36 but the combination of snow on the road and ramp, water splashing as each launched…and a few were already done for the day and pulling out, made the ramp very icy. 4wd and chains were the order of the day.
But aside from the boat launch, Karl and I had the rest of the park to ourselves.
Another day at the lake.
Numbers 6:24
Photo taken 3/14/2009 7:57 a.m.