Millcreek in Winter

Mill Creek runs just blocks from our house; it is within walking distance if should so I choose and Mill Creek Canyon is a great little drive to take when I want to get out into the wild in minutes.

This time of year the little creek rushing through snow is just lovely! The other day took the drive up the canyon again. First chance I got I pulled over and parked, and wearing my work flats and a sweater I hiked over the bridge and onto the cross country ski trail to take some pictures.

It strikes me as quite funny that I can wander about in freezing temperatures wearing the same outfits that I used to wear to work in Houston, where winter temperatures in the '50s used to just make me ache with cold. Also that when the household thermostat is set at 60 I am barely able to cope, yet I dash about in snow feeling like the cold is invigorating.

(BTW...Did you see the snow encircled heart in that first picture?)

See the tiny heart on that tree? Natural Valentine, that's what that is!

There is probably a heart somewhere in this picture too...I just haven't seen it yet.

This was the view looking to the other side of the canyon...

How much snow was up in the canyon?

Well, that black bump is a campsite grill.

The other bump is the campsite table with benches.

Yup...that's a lot of snow!

I thought I'd pull a fast one and go off the ski trail to head back to the road. The weakly defined trail looked easy, until I stepped on it and sank up to my thigh.

Duh...what was I thinking???

A skier slid up to me an asked if I was OK. I was of course, but it wasn't my most graceful move that got me out of my fix.

(Note to self: Stay on the trails...especially when wearing work flats!)

The topography in every direction is worth photographing. Notice that the south facing peaks just across the parking lot has very little snow?

While the north facing slopes are deeply covered in snow. Before I moved here I never realized how much terrain orientation dictated snow coverage.

The Mill Creek Canyon deer are always up for a photo shoot. When I pulled over on my way down the hill they all turned to watch me with their ears peaked high.

I guess they like how their profiles look too.

Nice winding road...clear as can be.

Rugged hillsides...I suppose if I brough binoculars I would see all kinds of wildlife up there.

Back home...Mt. Olympus was being tickled by drifting misty clouds.

As soon as I got home I went downstairs to download my pictures. Tiggie always snoopervises my computer time. He walks across the keyboard and plants himself on the windowsill while I work.

If anything happens outside, his posture changes to high alert. Right now he is at ease.

He is one of my New Year's Resolutions: He is at least ten years old, probably closer to twelve now, and I have resolved to appreciate him more with more petting and toys.

Such a faithful character in our home...and is just as an amazing of a view for me as anything that I can see on my jaunts outside.