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Jan. 24, 2008
Winter Hike
We love to hike as a family. Not only in the warm weather of spring and summer, but in the fall when the leaves are changing, and even in the winter! A few days ago the sun was out; the sky was clear; except for a few scattered snowflakes; and, even though it was a cold, 28 degrees, we were all commenting how nice it would be to go for a hike. I know you’re thinking...fireplace...hot chocolate...warm blanket, but not a hike. On a really nasty day, I would agree with you, but I had the itch to hike.
Now the name of the game is stay warm, and you play it by layering your clothes. It’s not about looking good. It’s about being able to feel you toes at the end of the hike; it’s about not having wind burn; it’s about not having your lips and knuckles split open from exposed flesh. We may not be the most fashionable when we hike, but we understand warm. 
Some of the appeal of hiking on a day like this is that you usually have the trails to yourself. The only tracks that are there before yours are those of the animals that live there. We saw quite a few different tracks. Lots of squirrel, rabbit, mouse, bird, and some webbed footprints going through the middle of the woods, duck or goose, we couldn’t tell. We even saw a couple of mouse snow tunnels. (It amazes me how they can burrow just under the top of the snow and not pop through.)
The lake was frozen and had a newly fallen blanket of snow on it. It was so peaceful.
The small side streams had some thin ice and even some open water peaking through the snow and glistening in the sun.
The cattails and the marsh weeds even looked fresh with the coat of snow on them.
Even our little Rat Terrier was enjoying the walk ride. He actually did walk for more than half the hike and loved every minute of it. Then he decided he’d rather hitch a ride with Squirrely Joe. She loved being outside. About two thirds of the way through the hike she was ready to get out of the stroller and use her feet. So with Daddy holding one hand and Mommy the other, she was hiking just like the “big people”.
Our son, Bubba, was having a great time. He loves to take pictures as much as I do and was snapping them left and right. I even handed over my camera and let him take my picture. (I very rarely hand over my camera, so it made his day to use it.)
I, of course, had to get a picture of Bubba in his favorite tree. It’s four trees grown out of one trunk, and it’s huge!
We only hiked about a mile, from start to finish. Squirrely Joe only “hiked” about two city blocks worth, but that was enough for her. She sought refuge in the strong arms of her Daddy; who happily carried her the rest of the way back to the truck. (He’s so sweet that way.)
We were all glad to get back to the truck and take a load off. Bubba and I were sweating because we’d over dressed, but Squirrely Joe and her Daddy were just right. Our dog was thankful to be back in his fleece-lined carrier with the nice down coat over the top to keep the chill off. (Yes, we spoil the little guy.) Once we were all packed up and buckled in we headed for home, thankful for the time outside enjoying God's creation.
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Posted by
Melissa - Mi Designs 
Jan. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
God Bless!
~Donna-Elisabeth