OK, you ask, why is this not OK, but this ☝is more than OK? Well, I'll tell you. First of all, the snow in the photo above is in the mountains, where snow belongs, and the snow I've been whining about for the past month is here in the desert valley, where snow does NOT belong! Secondly, look at that snow! See the beautiful shadows? There is SUNshine! We have not had sunshine since I-can't-remember-when. Snow with sunshine is glorious. You can sit on the balcony in the sunshine with just a sweater on. You can ski or snowshoe in your wool sweater and a vest, and be very warm. You can play in and enjoy snow when it is where it belongs, and when there is sunshine. The grey sunless snow we have had down here in the valley for the past month and a half has not been playing-in snow. Not even for Booker.
Booker loved the snow at the cabin. He would bounce into it, chasing the scent of an animal track, and would end up almost buried in snow. No matter how deep he dug, there was just more pristine snow - no mud.
See this? I actually cast a shadow! This groundhog hasn't cast a shadow for absolutely ages! (By the way, the extra bulk on that shadow is because of all the layers I had on. Just thought I'd point that out, for the record. It has nothing to do with the chocolate binging I have been doing due to SAD.)
We took our snowshoes up this time, instead of our cross-country skis. Our cabin can only be accessed by climbing up a fairly steep hill that we park at the bottom of, then going down the road a piece, and down another longish drive. This is the first time I've used our new snowshoes, and I really like them! Going uphill is easier on snowshoes than it is on skis! I believe I might be sore in new places tomorrow, though.
Last night was the largest full moon of the year. My husband got this shot of it coming up over the top of the mountain. Beautiful, bright night!But now we are home again. Back to deal with our dining room ceiling, that is now dry. As we drove back into the valley, there was a definite spot where we left the sunshine and descended into the valley's grey inversion-fog. I will miss the sunshine. But it's nice to know that it's just a short drive away.
6 comments:
What lovely images! I was marveling at the huge full moon also (in boring NJ!), and now your comment will force me to find out more about why this moon appeared so large. That moon was major compensation to me for enduring the extremely low temps we've had all week. I can't even breathe when I go outside now!
I totally understand the difference between cold with sunshine and cold with clouds. Sunshine is always best for my mood and energy levels. That being said, I have very little understanding of the pleasures of snow--in Texas we have only occasional white stuff.
Glorious Colorado snow pictures. I have been in Ohio for the last 6 weeks and the snow here cannot compare with Colorado. The grey days are more grey or maybe I'm just homesick for Colorado. It's been 3 years since we have been there at this time of the year and I think I miss it. I hope your ceiling doesn't take long to be repaired. Going to the cabin was probably the break you needed. Keep warm!
That is the best picture of the moon!
Love it!
This is funny! I was just thinking of you this morning. If we get snow it is a grey day, but the next is generally a sunny day that melts everything. Today was no exception. Bright to the point of needing sunglasses from the whiteness. I thought that's exactly what is missing for you! And here's your blog. Glad to see Booker loving it all up. Your shadow size can also be due to the angle of the sun relative to the snow along with the layers! I can't imagine having enough snow to need snowshoes to to not find mud with a digging lab!!! I am so glad that you were able to get in a magical day like this!
Love the photos - especially the shot of the moon. I'm so glad you could get away and have some fun! We had snow here this weekend - maybe six inches. But today is gloriously sunny, if very cold. And you're right, winter does look much, much better in the sunshine :-)
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