Winter Arrives on Schedule

We had a winter storm move in last night.

 

This morning we awoke to snow, ice & blustery winds.

 

 Snow was swirling across the fields.

 

 

And lots of limbs had fallen in the strong winds.

The woods were pretty though.

 

 And the dogs always enjoy the snow.

Tucked In

The beehives are wrapped with roofing paper

to help insulate them and absorb any winter sunshine.

I hope the bees make it through the cold winter months.

Where'd He Go?

Who took my white horse?

Don't ya love mud season?

Winter Discoveries

Its been mild so far this winter.

Not much to see with no blooming, buzzing or scurrying in the woods

 and hunting season in full swing.

No pristine snow or even sparkling ice, mostly just MUD!

I did find these little surprises on a morning walk.

This is one tenacious mushroom, 

sprouting in mid-December.

An insect cocoon, possibly praying mantis.

 A sycamore seedball lying on the trail.

A stump clothed in green velvet moss.

This orange fungus was a spot of bright color in the drab woods.

Walking Buddies

New Wheels

We just got our new wheels for our travels.

This scooter will be our wheels when camping,

 so we don't have to break down our campsite.

In our youth, we rode motorcycles,

so it will feel like old times!

Death Valley, here we come!

The Smokies

I've been to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park

several times before, but I never get tired of seeing it.

The smokey mountaintops

We camped in the Smokemont campground in the park, 

and had the place mostly to ourselves.

Although it was early December, we had mild 55° days.

The AppalachianTrail traverses the park for some 70 miles.

The park is in both Tennessee & North Carolina.

Mountain streams rush down the mountainside beside the road,

And there are many lovely hiking trails.