Sunday Hike

I am told that the temperatures are to climb forty or so degrees this week,

out of the single digits to almost 50 degrees!

That will be a gift...

a reminder that the brass ring at the end of this wintry Merry-go-Round ride

is Spring!

The animals will love it, I am sure...

especially the pigs, who are not so fond of snow,

 but brave it for the sake of spending time with their humans.

The horses, in their lush fur coats, may even break a sweat.

The warmth will melt the snow,

and give me a chance to catch up on a little outside barnyard maintenance.

Perhaps I will even clean up the garden boxes a bit.

Regardless of what I end up doing, 

you can be sure I will enjoy the break from this cold.

Yesterday was a beautiful, blue-skied wintry day.

We took the opportunity to take the dogs on a hike.

A hike with the dogs requires two phases.

Phase one is a short, circuitous hike with all the dogs.

This short hike allows Maddie, our aging, arthritic Newfie the pleasure of accompanying us.

We head out through the wood pile, walk along the back ridge and circle back to the house.

Maddie, with snowballs in her paws, is happy to head back into the house.

With the girl dogs snugly tucked in the house,

we retrace our steps...out through the woodpile,



and out into the hemlock forest.

Here we hike up and down hill to the stream.

This picturesque stream, partially frozen, is one of our favorite spots 

and a swimming hole for the dogs in the summertime.

We see evidence of deer in many areas of the woods...

leaves trampled and snow melted in areas that served as sleeping grounds,

deer trails along the ridge, and droppings here and there.

Oakley and Sam, running through the woods, prevent us from actually encountering any deer.

On the way back home, we stopped by Becky's barn,
where she was tacking Sid up for a ride.

Outside were Ava and Old Duffy.

Duffy is at least 30 years old...

a gentle old soul who used to be an amazing ride.

He was the kind of horse that took care of his rider...

adjusting his body to always stay directly beneath his rider.

Happily retired, he spends his days with Ava, grazing away the hours.

When we reached our farm, we were met by Tom and Chuck,
who walked most of the way home with us.

It was great to have a day of sunshine....
the perfect ending for a wonderful weekend!