Message from the Mountain

The beast arrived as predicted, spreading chaos throughout the state with deep snow and many power outages. A lot of work to cleanup is required and yet the beautiful alpine glow with the fresh snow …

Most of the year we are able to carry out a fairly normal daily routine here in the foothills, but in the winter our routines usually change as we become mindful of snow conditions. We can easily get…

AVERAGING IT OUT – We were below the normal snow fall average for this time of year, but, with recent storms, that is changing. The verdict for the year will not be in until April. Life is full of up…

The recent snowstorm has created a winter wonderland here in the mountains. Nature has provided scenes that are inspirations for pictures, postcards, and descriptions that could wind up in a song. It…

Now that winter has taken over, many people are studying seed catalogues and travel brochures or using the internet to make plans for the upcoming seasons. It is a time to dream and then take action.…

Now that we are two thirds of the way through January the wait for a nice fluffy snow fall is over. For snow enthusiasts it has been a long wait. Life is also filled with anticipation and often, when…

It seems like this winter we have been playing a waiting game watching for the next major snowstorm. Sometimes they come as predicted and sometimes they slide by us. We are also playing a waiting gam…

Lately it seems as if there are many days when the forecast calls for intermittent weather. One needs to be prepared for both snow and sunny weather at the same time. Life also seems to have many day…

The winter landscape is constantly changing as the snow cover is affected by weather conditions. Rain on snow can create a puddle that makes an indentation called a pillow affect. Fresh snow of sever…

I noticed as the setting sun turned the sky red that it did the same to the snow-covered landscape. It only lasted for a few moments before night began to overtake the sun. It was an illusion, someth…

Nature has been providing spectacular sunrises and sunsets lately for people that take the time to pay attention. It is a wonderful way to finish up a busy day as you pause for a few minutes and feel…

This winter is sure full of ups and downs. We get some snow followed by rain and much of it melts making some people disappointed and others happy. Life has a lot of ups and downs. At least we can ta…

Just about the only leaves left hanging onto the trees by mid-January are from the beech trees. It will take the new buds in the spring to dislodge them. Old paradigms hold on to us until we begin to…

The bird feeders are back up for the first time since a hungry bear climbed the side of our house last summer. We are waiting for the birds to discover them. It seems as if we spend a good part of ou…

When I looked out the window recently on a cold morning and saw two ice boats sailing on the little brook, my mind wanted to join them on a great adventure into the unknown waters on their way to the…

Now that the holidays have passed and we are a third of the way into January, here in the mountains the people and the wildlife are settling into winter. People settle into life in many different way…

A recent storm broke off several large tree limbs that landed on the edge of the driveway. My son dragged then onto the lawn where they will probably wait until spring before my hip is repaired and o…

No matter what time of year, I wake up in the morning to marvel at a beautiful world that Nature provides daily. In life, we always have the opportunity find beauty even in the middle of a barren lan…

January’s barren landscape is slowly being covered with a light dusting of fresh snow one flake at a time. Sometimes life moves slowly and sometimes it meets a deluge of events making it hard to keep…

Over the years my wife has created several updates to the trail map we print and put on our trail heads and website. The map changes each time we change the trails. Creating a life map often requires…