Another Day in the North

Got my dose of afternoon fresh air, big snowflakes and exercise with Caryn today.  Despite the wet snow, it all melted since it was 39 degrees.

Found areas today on our hike that had absolutely NO snow....dang it.  I'm probably the only person hoping for a good snowfall soon.  I'd be happy with 4-5 inches of snow.

Ne Ne was happy to see us return from our 2-hour snowshoe walk.  She's such a sweet little cat, always wanting to sit next to use to us at the kitchen table, listening to our conversations about life, family and politics.  She's such a good listener.......

My Snowshoe Buddy

If it wasn't for this pretty lady, my winter months may have been a struggle....especially since retiring and adjusting to a new life's schedule.  You see, Caryn has graciously been letting me snowshoe her land since retiring January 1st.  Since Caryn only lives about two miles from us, I can easily drive over to her house and access to her land and many trails.  I am so grateful to Caryn and her generosity.  I have hiked many of her trails by myself over the last eight weeks, but I always enjoy it when Caryn can join me on a hike....like yesterday and today!

The bench down by the river is my little resting period before we continue on to more trails.

We've lost lots of snow with warm temperatures and rain last week, but we still have a snow base on many trails.  I'm hoping for some more snow before spring hits.  Thanks Caryn for the post workout glass of wine.  Yes, we earned it for sure!

PS.  Where's Bike man?  My hubby has been under the weather with that nasty upper respiratory virus going around and he has really been sick.  Took us by surprise since we both got flu shots this winter and didn't think one of us would get so sick.  I'm sure he will be back to snuff by this weekend. 

Oh no, the Snow is Melting

Just a quiet day today.  Bike man is feeling under the weather, so we were both content to not plan any projects today.  I did my usual 3 mile run in the morning and then headed out for a quick snowshoe hike this afternoon.

My snowshoeing actually turned out to be about 2 hours of hiking!  The weather was so mild that I just wanted to stay outdoors.  Found a new tree with enormous woodpecker holes....the woodpeckers are really plentiful in the woods.

Can you believe it's still 38 degrees tonight?  I'm really afraid our snow will be melting fast.  My snowshoeing hikes might be limited from now on unless we get a snowstorm soon.  Rain is forecasted for tomorrow, which is really unusual for February in Wisconsin.

Might have to get out my hiking boots and ditch the snowshoes!

Afternoon With Friends

How lucky am I?  I had two buddies to snowshoe with today.

Caryn, on the right, is the landowner (and our friend) that lets me snowshoe on her 80 acres.  Her sister-in-law Judy, on the left, just happened to be visiting this week from Seattle.  Judy told me she is used to snowshoeing only in the mountains in Washington, so this was a treat for her to walk out the door and have access to snowshoeing trails.

So, after two hours of walking through the woods, you have to replenish your body!  Thanks Caryn and Judy for the Merlot, cheese, apples, brie, baguette and olives.  I also brought over a couple savory scones from our local food co-op. Such a nice afternoon to spend with friends and enjoy the warm sunshine.

Warming Temperatures This Week

35 degrees today with sunshine, clouds and a northwest wind.  I still went out snowshoeing by myself this afternoon....loved the quietness and the sound of the wind.  Look at this old tree in the photo.

Wow, I found a puff ball on the trail!  A puff ball is actually a fungi.....did you know that? I also spotted fox and otter tracks while snowshoeing today.  One of the best things about winter is tracking the animals tracks in the snow. 

Enjoying winter and embracing the beauty....only in Wisconsin.

Life in February

We celebrated my retirement and Dale's as well, by snowshoeing last Sunday.  Since we're all Sierra Club friends, that's how you celebrate....just being outdoors and enjoying the beauty!  We ended our afternoon with a nice little party, enjoying some fried rice, fresh vegetable salad and wine & more wine (of course in moderation)!!!

I also wanted to show you a photo I took of my snowshoe adventure during our last snowstorm during the first week of February.  I was so excited to be snowshoeing through the storm all by myself.  Total peace and quiet.  I found it quite interesting that there were no deer tracks that afternoon in the woods.  All the deer were hunkered down during the storm!

As I was out in the snow storm hiking the trails, we had already received six inches of snow.  Our snow storm total reach a foot of snow....wow!

So now catching up on my whereabouts, I'm currently in Richland Center helping my mom and dad.  My dad is scheduled to have a bladder cancer procedure tomorrow at their local hospital, so I'll be here to help my folks out during the week.

I'm still getting asked how I like retirement.  My answer hasn't changed at all.  Every day I'm thankful I chose to retire and spend time with my Bike man.

Beautiful January Day

Did not waste a minute today after seeing the warm weather forecast.  Woke up early, attended church service down the road at the little country Lutheran church.  Came home and enjoyed a quick half cup of coffee and toast with peanut butter and banana slices.  Didn't waste any time and headed out the door for a nice sunny 3-mile run.  My run was preceded by a 40 minute snow walk through the enchanted woods (my friends land).  The sunshine felt glorious.  The photo above is what I call a deer super highway!  Lots of heavily traveled deer trails in the woods, but I never see the deer!!!

Came back to our house and joined Bike man on the lake for a little ice fishing.  We had a nice warm fire going in the cooper fire pit, so I roasted some natural casing hot dogs.  Honestly, this is the ONLY time of the year where we eat hot dogs!  There's just something about roasting them over an open fire that makes them worth eating.

Lastly, I wanted you all to see the gorgeous late afternoon sky.  A sky like this will just make you stop for a minute and smile.

And then the setting sun tonight.  The colors weren't as beautiful as I've seen in past nights, but it all depends on the moisture level in the atmosphere.  Regardless, it was still a lovely night on the frozen lake.  The weatherman is talking a snow storm in two days with blizzard-like conditions.  I'm just excited to hear more snow for snowshoeing.  Thanks for checking in with me. 

Found Something New

I some how missed these unusual tracks yesterday while out on the lake. Today however, I noticed them. Looks like an animal was dragging something....or dragging itself. These drag marks continue all along the lake shore. I'm totally stumped by these tracks because I don't see many other marking inside these tracks. The lines are fairly even too. I certainly need help in identifying what these marking represent. Any ideas?

Look mom, I'm being extra safe! I decided that since it's March and the temperatures will be warming soon I decided that I will get into the habit of taking the safety picks with me when I'm out snowshoeing on the lake. We still have 2 1/2 feet of ice, but you just never know, especially when I cross the main channel!!!!! Actually, I figure another two weeks of snowshoeing out on the lake and then I will call it quits. Ya know, it's been a good winter season.

Bike man update: he's doing great and is up to working out for one hour when he attends his cardiac therapy, however, the therapists still aren't use to his enthusiasm for workouts. It's almost like they expect him to be all frail and weak. Geez, wait till Bike man arrives by bicycle to his therapy workouts. The therapists will probably shit their pants!!!!!!

It's Still Winter

It's really hard for me to believe that it's 80 some degrees in my sister's home state of Florida, while we, living here on Tainter Lake Wisconsin, still have 2 1/2 feet of lake ice! Looking at the forecast for the upcoming week, snow predicted everyday.

Kim and Neil stopped by this afternoon to snowshoe with me around the lake. We all agreed that the snow can fall another week or too so we can enjoy our snowshoe workouts, but then we agreed that we're ready for spring.....cuz spring means hanging up the snowshoes and bringing out the bikes. Still tons of salt on the roadways, so no road riding for another month or so.

Of course I found fresh animal tracks again today. Neil and I agreed these tracks must be rabbit, but when I looked in my tracks & scats book of the great lakes, the rabbit tracks look totally different in the book. Bike man thinks these are deer tracks that didn't break through the snow and ice! Hummm, not sure what to think. Half the fun of snowshoeing is trying to identify the animal tracks around you.

Like I said yesterday, this was a weekend to be quiet and rejuvenate. I needed this weekend to take my mind off the economy, politics and work-related issues. Next week, I will find out about the fate of my public library and it's funding for 2012. I've been waking up at night, worrying about the county and municipal funding cuts and the possibility of my facility closing. Whatever happens will happen.....it's out of my hands. Politics, it's all about politics!

Late Night Walk

Every step I took was like in slow motion. How could the snow quality change so quickly in one day.....from powder to sticky? My snowshoes struggled to grip smoothly and basically made my walk tonight choppy. I guess the warmer temps today made the difference in snow quality. I didn't get out on the snowshoes until 5:45 pm, but the sunset was well worth the delay tonight.

I've been enjoying my snowshoe walks during the winter weeks. The snowshoes are so much better than hitting the fitness center.....big time better, trust me! I crave the winter air and it's freshness to keep me healthy and happy.

The deer were out in full force as night fell upon the lake ice. As the deer heard my footsteps, they scattered in large numbers, running feverishly to reach the lake shore and disappear among the trees. I honestly saw dozen of deer tonight, so now I understand why I see all the tracks on the lake ice.

Besides the strong winds from the west, snowshoeing was enjoyable.....and very quiet. Simplicity is good!

Late Day Walk

Just enough evening light to let us enjoy a great snowshoe walk after work. It was a joy to spend a long walk through the snow with my friend Kim. We were already talking bike rides in the spring....planning and plotting!!!

Bike man has begun his cardiac rehab therapy. It's become a joke around our house since he thinks of his rehab as a curse like the celebrities that do rehab for drug addiction and so on!

So again today, the therapy counselor was not comfortable with the level that Bike man wanted to work at on the cardio equipment. You see, they aren't use to people like Bike man who expect their heart rate to be working at a certain level during a workout. The counselor kept telling Bike man to tone it down......she just doesn't understand who she's working with. She doesn't realize that this cardiac patient is use to biking 80 miles a day on his bicycle trips.....she doesn't know what to do with a person like Bike man. Bike man does not fit the normal cardiac patient!!! We both laugh because Bike man is so out-of-place in the therapy room. Even with block artieries, he still was more fit than most people. I just shake my head.

I have a feeling Bike man will be back to his old self sooner than later. I kinda feel sorry for that therapy counselor, because she'll never meet another person like Bike man and she's wasting her time on trying to tone him down. Slowing down is not in his future!

My Trail

I just followed my snowshoe trail....you know, the one I created last weekend. Boy, it's been a long week. Getting out today in the snow and 13 degree temperatures was refreshing and brisk!
Stopped every ten minutes to blow my nose, but hey, it was all worth it.


Snowed all day. Pretty typical for February, but spring is looming....I can feel it! Bike man is still laying low and resting like the doctor ordered. By next week, I'm sure he will be eager to jump on his bicycle trainer and resume his sanity.

After my snowshoe workout, I was warm and comfy wearing my new wool socks. I love these socks. Bike man spotted them for me at the Angry Catfish Bicycle shop and persuaded me to buy another pair of wool socks.....my collection is growing. I highly recommend wool socks for all-year round.

Happy To Be Home

Discovered a little beaver chew along the lake shore today....those busy little beavers! Headed out on my snowshoes this afternoon. After two days of hanging out in the hospital, it felt refreshing to get outdoors and enjoy the new snow.

A little breezy, but a nice 36 degree temperature this afternoon. Good conditions for snowshoeing.

Thanks Son for coming over to help with the rest of the snow shoveling.

I received the call this morning from Bike man telling me they were releasing him from the hospital. Wow, that was quick! Of course he has restrictions for the next week, but it will be so nice for him to be home in his own comfortable setting.

What's next? Cardio therapy, new medications, bicycle trainer, heart-healthy eating and a new outlook on life. Still giving thanks.......

Standing Water

Wow, major melting going on. Went for a snowshoe walk late this afternoon and discovered lots of standing water along the lake shore. Don't worry, there's still plenty of ice out there on the lake, but it's getting harder and harder to snowshoe. The wet snow today made my workout interesting.

I'm enjoying this little winter warm up, especially after last week's single digit temperatures. Will there be more snow coming? You bet, but for now I'm smiling and rejuvenating my mind and body.

Anyone craving chocolate right now? Guess I need to raid my cupboards tonight in search of dark chocolate!!!!!

That Can't Be the Right Temperature.....What?

So it's 1 pm and I'm talking on the phone with my long-lost friend Joan. "Hey Joan, do ya wanna come over for a snowshoe walk?" I happen to look over at the outdoor thermometer to give Joan a temperature reading and I said, "geez there must be something wrong with our thermometer cuz it says 46 degrees." No, there wasn't anything wrong with our thermometer, it really was 46 degrees! What???? I was so excited.....Joan was heading over to join me for a workout on the lake.

The snow today was heavy, sticky and moist. Found some new animal tracks today, but not sure what they are. I'm thinking possibly a mouse? Look how small the little tracks are together. The tracks only went one way, so this smart little animal knew to hop from the lake shoreline all the way over to the first island. Very smart.

So look who we came a cross this afternoon. Who the heck wears shorts while ice fishing....oh yeah, Bike man! Now look closely at Bike man's face. Notice anything? As soon as I finish snapping this photo, I looked at him and said, "hey, there's something wrong with your glasses." Apparently, Bike man didn't even notice he had lost a lens. I know I shouldn't laugh at Bike man, but I told him he looked like a pirate! Every time I look at this photo I start laughing. I wonder how long he walked around with only one lens in his glass frame. Luckily, he found the missing lens in the snow slush near one of the holes he had drilled. Thanks heavens. Glasses are expenses.

The only thing biting this afternoon was Northern's (otherwise know as Northern Pike). Bike man first caught the 30 inch pappa, and then hooked the baby Northern later on. We kept the larger fish....will give it to our son.

What a great day. Warm temperatures (48 degrees by late this afternoon), sunshine and a pal to snowshoe with this afternoon. I was pooped tonight. Didn't get back in the house until about 6 pm. Red cheeks tonight for both of us....the sunshine is getting warmer!

Family Comes First

I just followed my trail. The deer beat me to it, but that's ok.

The sun returned this afternoon after a brief morning of light snowfall. The sunshine felt wonderful.

The sunshine makes you do goofy things. I just couldn't resist saying hello in shadow language.

Across the lake, the international students from the nearby university enjoyed the warmer weather. I believe they were playing broom ball.

The Son has a birthday tomorrow, so Becca decided to drive over today and spend the day with her bro and family. I love having the kids home.....even Trisha could spend half the day with us. Family......it just makes you feel good.

A BIG thank you to Bike man for helping Becca file her taxes.

I Miss the Winter Sun

After awhile, I realized the deer weren't following my trail, I was following the deer trails! With the additional snow we received earlier in the week, plus the blowing winds during midweek, I quickly realized I was in for a good snowshoe workout today. Breaking a new trail was the theme for today..... all the way.

The men-folk came out today for a little ice fishing. I was happy Bike man could get outside for the afternoon. Looks like the single digit temperatures will return for next week. Boy oh boy, winter is starting to drag on and it's getting on my nerves!

The fish were not really biting today, but this small Northern hit around 5 pm. Not a keeper, so back in the hole it went!

I sure hope I see some sunshine tomorrow.....I really need it.

Into the Darkness

I felt like the creature of the night trudging through the snow in winter darkness. The snow was hitting my face as I broke through 4-5 inches of new snow. Very peaceful.

I slipped into my snowshoes (boots already in the bindings) and took off at darkness. Halfway through my walk I rounded a corner as I headed into the bay area and immediately spotted these brown dots in front of me, just scattering. I knew it! I knew that sooner or later I would spot the creatures that wonder the lake ice during the darkness. The deer must have heard my snowy footsteps because those animals just bolted to the wooded shoreline and totally disappeared. I was hoping to see a fox or coyote, but no such luck tonight.

I finished my hour walk totally drenched in sweat. Those extra layers of snow took a toll on me tonight. Most important however, is that I got outside and enjoyed the winter air. It's all about the fresh air....it keeps your body healthy and your mind clear.

All About the Sunshine

The glitter was plentiful......everywhere I looked the snow just glistened.

As I walked along my snowshoe trail, I realized something had walked before me! Perhaps a coyote or fox.


The sun finally returned today....and it felt so nice.

A few fluffy clouds appeared and then quickly disappeared as the sun started to set in the Southwest sky.

Headed out on the big lake to take one more look at the ice shacks on Tainter Lake. Walked for about one and a half hours. Very pleasurable indeed. Bike man was absent this afternoon, as he was involved in a presentation kick-off for Sustainable Dunn (Dunn County) for the "year of the water." BM is gearing up for more lake and stream monitoring this spring and trying to recruit volunteers. Did I say spring? Just saying...........