Old Depot Loop

Friday began like this, with my favourite sort of winter scene.

Frost in the trees, tracks through snow and long dark shadows on pristine white fields.

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It’s just as well the recent blizzard passed us by. 30 more inches on top of what we still have could be problematic. As it is, the driveway in front of the garage is congested.

Digging snow is one thing, finding somewhere to put it gets to be a major challenge.

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There is evidence, however, that bunny-rabbits found room to frolic!

They have been enjoying our cauliflower and broccoli stalks lately but we only catch sight of them during twilight hours, so for now I only have pictures of their footprints.

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This has been the sort of winter I imagined when I moved Upstate New York, yet this is the first that has come close to expectations. In 7 years, we never before had so much snow on the ground for such a long period, nor did we have such constantly frigid temperatures.

Never have I enjoyed a winter more.

Considering the cost of heating, it’s good to derive pleasure from it!

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It’s not just me. Grant likes it too, despite the considerable work involved for him.

It’s been a surprise to him, finding enjoyment in the season that so many detest, but he’s come to feel as I do, that winter should be Winter. Not wet, grey and miserable, with temperatures constantly fluctuating.

Winter should be cold and stay that way, giving you the chance to adjust. Winter days may be short, but between occasional snowstorms, brilliant and spectacular.

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Which is why we jump in the car to go and enjoy it.

Winters in cities are not pretty. Whatever temporary charm snow may add soon turns into a muddy mess and icy pavements can cause serious accidents. In the days when I lived in suburbia, I was not a fan.

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But out in the country, it’s a whole different thing.

And Friday was really awfully nice.

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But where should we go? Sometimes I’ll make a suggestion, but Friday I left it up to the driver.

We headed through the village, sort of southeast, in the direction of Vermont.

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We wound our way through Mount Tom State Forest.

Staying away from large towns whenever we can, we have never been disappointed in a drive.

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Many of the pictures I take are shot as we pass by. Occasionally, we are able to slow down or stop as we did here, but all too often I have to do the best I can sailing past at speed.

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It can be frustrating to miss what may have been a good photo, but it really doesn’t matter as there are always so many more.

Meandering, we found ourselves in Shaftsbury…

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…where Grant remembered the Old Depot Loop through a wetland.

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We’d been here in warmer weather last Spring.

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Absent the snow and with the trees filled out, it looked entirely different.

Next, we headed for Arlington where I took a few more pictures…

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