Snowfall Perambulation

At minus-3 degrees centigrade and falling, we figured we could hazard a walk in the ravine without having to put protective booties on our little dogs. Though we did take the cautionary step of putting their harnesses on over their coats in case we were unable to access the ravine as a result of yesterday's snowfall. While we could manage, it would be too difficult for the two little dogs to struggle through that deep snow if it had been undisturbed.

And if that were to occur, we would take to the street instead, walking where we normally do not, to ensure that we and they received some exercise, since we'd missed the previous day thanks to the snowstorm. Our exercises, throughout the day yesterday in repeatedly clearing the snow from our walkways and driveway could, on the other hand, count for some physical exercise.

Fortunately, we found that others had preceded us; in all likelihood area children who have been taking the ravine trails as short-cuts to their various schools. So the going wasn't utterly impossible, though there were a few instances where we had to pick them up to get across short pieces of previously unused trail. Not so bad for Button with her long legs and energy to spare despite her venerability, but for short-legged Riley, well-neigh impossible.

Almost that bad for us, in fact, plodding along in the snow, uphill and down. Beautiful it was, beyond our year-to-year memory of how transforming the results of a heavy snowstorm can appear down there in the ravine. With trees heavily laden with their burden of snow; the evergreen boughs so weighed down that they swoop close to the ground, necessitating that we make our way around them. If, on the other hand, we choose to shake the snow off those boughs, up they come, raising themselves almost to their normal level.

Yesterday's roistering wind, creating white-outs everywhere was still in evidence, only slightly muted. And since no snow was falling, it was just the effects of the wind to contend with, moaning and groaning through the trees, clacking tops together in a symphony of winter conditions bringing us tidings of far more to come. The sky above was a pale grey, a slight covering through which the orb of a pale yellow sun kept attempting to assert itself. Occasionally successfully, with a brief bright beam of light crossing the area.

No birds to be seen anywhere today, but the occasional squirrel, not yet completely prepared to bed down for their semi-hibernating state to take them through the long, icily-inclement months of winter. It was kind of amazing, in fact, the slow but steady progress of our two little dogs, plodding along through the depths of the snow that completely covered their little legs with knots of snow firming up into balls resistant to removal, once we had returned home, even after dipping them into warm water.