February 19, 2017

Playing In The Snowy Woods



Regular readers of this blog will know that I usually post about 3 times a week. This past week was different. Why? Because of three words: Big. Snow. Storm.




Despite winds that whipped up 3 metre (10 ft) drifts, the power never went off. Nor was my internet connection severed. No, it was the great outdoors calling to me that kept me away. Over the years I have learned to respond when I hear nature call, and nothing beckons me outdoors more excitedly than a Big Snow Storm.




So after a dump of 60cm (2 ft) of lovely white stuff I set aside my "work" and let my inner child go out to play. I played till my lungs were scrubbed clean with fresh air, my cheeks rosy, and my legs sore. There really is nothing more fun, or beneficial to your health, than a day playing in the snow.

Even better is several days playing in the snow. While out, my face hurt from smiling constantly.




The forecast is for temperatures above freezing so the big melt is coming, confirming that taking advantage of the white playground in my back yard while it existed was the right thing to do. Now I wait for hiking and biking weather. And write.




“I used to love those days when it was so cold everyone else would be tucked away inside trying to stay warm. I would be the only one out walking, so I could look across the fields and see miles of snow without a single footprint in it. It would be completely silent - no cars, no birds singing, no doors slamming. Just silence and snow.” 
- Damien Echols







8 comments:

  1. This sounds brilliant. How often do we smile until our faces hurt? Not often enough I'll wager.
    A commitment to slow down and enjoy the beauty that Nature has on offer resonates profoundly with me, as I worry each day that we may not have such beauty and chance for much longer.
    Enjoy the snow. It's roasting hot here! lol

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  2. Anonymous2/20/2017

    Allowing your inner child to be free is such a good thing. We are spending a lot of time at the skate park. Really got into skateboarding, it's a very meditative activity and requires a lot of skill. There is a nice atmosphere at the park and just being out if the house is nice.
    Peace,
    Alex

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  3. The snow is lovely. It is in the upper 60s in Ohio - it feels all wrong. Nice to see pictures of snow. I love walking in the woods in the snow, and we are lucky to have a nature preserve right outside of town to enjoy. Thanks for the lovely pictures.

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  4. Anonymous2/21/2017

    Beautiful pictures! Agree with Karen that most of us don't often smile until our faces hurt, so nice to hear you had a great time. I'm not a snow person, but the quote mentioned the silence of snow - I do love that. - Mary

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  5. Looks beautiful Gregg, I would love to experience that much snow one day. We only have small snow falls in my area, and I have been known to pull one of my kids out of school to play in it!

    Madeleine.x

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  6. Envy! I'm from the east coast of the US, but have lived in the southwest for more than 30 years. Although the desert is quite beautiful and we've had a lot of snow in the mountains the lower desert has had rain (although we've loved that, too! Way too many sunny days so the clouds and rain were welcomed). We have a tiny cabin in the NY mountains that will be where we retire if I can ever get my husband away from a job he loves. For now we spend every vacation there, but that's never at the snowy times of year. Looking at your pictures I do remember how wonderfully quiet a freshly fallen snow is and the smell. So glad you enjoyed it.

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  7. Snow has alluded us for most of the winter here in the Ohio Valley. Nothing better than to be with nature in the snowy silence with the thud or crunch of your footfall the only thing breaking that silence.

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  8. Beautiful! I missed reading NBA that day, but I'm dang glad it snowed and you got out there. Lovely photos.
    Yea, Karen, upper 60's in Ohio this time of year and even here in South Carolina is just wrong. Love that word, "footfall" Marla. New vocabulary word - added!

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