Sunny Sunday Album

Saturday, I had heard on a radio weather forecast that we would have almost an inch of rain on Sunday.

Well, that never happened.  Instead, it rained a bit overnight, and that was it. 

The sun came out and pretty much hung around for the rest of the day, providing pleasant opportunties to roam around, soak up the sun, breathe in the fresh air and just enjoy the day. 

My wanderings included the woods with its soft pine needle carpet where dogs raced and played and even posed.

Horses nibbled on hay, moseyed around their barnyard and rested in the warmth of the January sun. 

Down the lane and near the far shed, a thin coat of clear ice provided some temporary natural art. 

After a morning of spending time outside in between sessions of putting the pieces of my castle puzzle together, I suggested to Bill that we go for a drive.

An hour or so later, we parked the pickup on the Westside Road near Bonners Ferry and took off walking across a dike in the south portion of the National Wildlife Refuge.

Ironically, on this sunny day, we did not get the full benefit while walking on the west side of the valley where the mountains block out sun rays fairly early on winter afternoons.  

Last week, while driving through that same area, we discovered that the refuge was a part of the government shutdown.  

Our discovery came when we pulled into the parking lot where I walked with great care over a huge sheet of ice, only to discover the public restroom for the refuge center locked. 

Meanwhile, yesterday, Bill (tongue in cheek) pointed out, as we walked along the dike, that some trees were down and still blocking the trail, all because of the shutdown.  

Well, the shutdown hasn't stopped the beavers from doing their thing.  They'll nibble on trees no matter what's going on, or NOT, in Washington, D.C.

The obstacles on the trail didn't stop us either.  We just climbed over those trees and moved on.


Twas absolutely delightful to walk along that dike ON BARE GROUND with no YakTrax (thanks, Judy).   

We put in about three miles on the trail before returning to the pickup and, later, stopping by Kootenai River Brewing Co. for a bite to eat, a beer and some good visiting with SHS grads from the 1980s who happened to be there.  

Nice to see you, Scott, Maddie, Marty and Cindy!

This morning:  very different weather. 

That rain we were supposed to have yesterday must have waited and turned into snow----about four inches' worth overnight. 

Happily, Bill went out early and cleared out the driveway and the barnyard.  Feeding went smoothly.  

As the daylight comes on and the snow hangs on the limbs, I should be able to have even more fun with my camera.

And, for a while, we may not even need those YakTrax. 

Happy Monday.