I love the way you described the snowy light. I grew up in snowy Minnesota and loved how muted the air is when the snow is fresh. It just feels like a silence hush falls on the city when the snow is insulating us. Here is Seattle it snowed significantly a few years ago and I noticed that same muted hush in our urban neighborhood.
Thanks so much for your nice comments Jen. That muffled silence is really special isn't it? Our snowshoeing adventure was not too far from you: we were near Snohomish pass. Maybe on our next visit to Seattle we can meet for a walk!
Got stuck at Cape Wrath one Xmas, built an igloo, survived. I'd learned the skill in the Army - winter survival course on Helvelyn, during it's worst winter in living memory. Sgt Major got swept away in a torrent, the guides got us lost in the fog.... and I got posted to the Gulf of Aden. Back from the desert, again at Xmas, hitch hiking at night north of Nottingham, no vehicles in the snowstorm, ended up building a roadside igloo in the dark. Just about to crawl in when the first car in hours gave me a lift home. Let it snow. Peace, Maurice
Wow!! Those are proper snow stories!!! I am very impressed with your ability to stay focused and do what was needed to survive. I have been 'snowed in' before, but the key word there is 'IN'. We had a cabin to stay in until the roads could be cleared. No survival needed; just patience. Hope you still enjoy a snowflake now and again. Thanks so much for sharing these real life examples of snow adventures!
Thanks Sabrina. I think survival is about trusting one's instincts, and that the poisons pushed by Big Food and Big Pharma, have corrupted the clarity of our minds to the point of complacency. Mega consumerism has handed over our instinct for survival
Lovely words and photos, Sabrina. When I abandoned Austin for Williamstown, in the Berkshires of northwestern Massachusetts, many of my Texas friends reacted with incredulity: you're VOLUNTARILY moving to a place with SNOW?!? But, like you, I love the hush and softness of falling snow, and I loved the clear demarcation of four actual seasons, and honestly I'd rather be cold than hot (I figure you can always add another layer if you're cold, but once you strip yourself naked in the heat, there's really nothing else to be done). Besides, how can you truly appreciate spring without a real winter? I have to say, however, that since moving back home to San Francisco I haven't missed those single-digit (or negative!) temperatures. It was a chilly 43º this morning, and I busted out the wool coat and scarf and felt very cozy (and stylish) on my trek down to Caffe Trieste.
I loved living in northern California, especially inland just one row of hills from the sea, where it gets cold in winter enough to wear warm jackets and hats. Besides enjoying wearing wooly sweaters, I also enjoy the plants that can grow when there is some winter cold. But I do miss the snow, and like you, loved my time spent in New England where we had snow. Glad you are are getting the perfect temperatures for your needs now!
I enjoy the look of snow, but I hate the cold, and once the snow is looking anything less than pristine - around here it turns to mucky slush in a heartbeat - well, it can go away, thanks very much! 🤣 One day I'd love to go somewhere with proper proper snow - and be dressed for it in all the right gear so I don't freeze - and I will adore every moment of it.
Thanks! I'm with you about not liking cold! I'm happiest when it is not snowing or sleeting, preferably sun, and I am moving gracefully enough to keep warm and not get too tired. Our 90 minutes jaunt was a perfect length. And then curling up by a fire afterwards is how I like to end a day in snow. Hope you get that chance someday soon!
Sabrina and Martin you did such a beautiful job of describing why I love winter and the feel of true seasons that all I can add is “Ditto! Ditto!” I do love my memories of growing up in California but from an early age loved pictures of the eastern part of the US, especially in autumn and winter, and so once I went east for college I basically didn’t go back except for a couple of random years west and south. Now I’m married to a man who absolutely LOVES winter, with all of its snow sports, beauty and adventures, so let it snow (please!)! ❄️❄️❄️
PS And snowshoeing is my favorite outdoor winter activity!!
I didn't remember that you love snowshoeing—I certainly understand why! (Although I did have a few aches in places I didn't know I could ache the following days). I would love to have the chance to do more of that, but for now I will just have to cherish the memory of a fun day out. Unless we come visit you in winter! I'm so happy you've found your perfect place for all seasons.
Married to a man from the tropics who I don't think has spent any time, at least voluntarily, in the snow, I've avoided going to the mountains in winter. I seem to have talked myself out of it when there are warmer climes, and a happier husband to enjoy. My already low tolerance to cold has gotten even lower. But reading your post, I wonder if I'm missing something. I do remember on many cross country ski outings or hiking across the crunchy snow the serenity, calm, and beauty the cold and snow offered. It was wonderful. And we always returned to a warm abode, except for once on Mt. Shasta when we slept in an igloo we'd constructed. (The main pleasure of that trip was that we had to eat 4500 calories a day.)
Your post makes me want to try again. And if I don't, you created enough vivid images to at least make me want to experience the snow and its beauty again. You're helping to wipe out a negative thought and that's always good.
I didn't realise you hadn't been spending any time in snow, or that you had avoided it. I have lots of memories of us in playing in the snow when we were younger. But that was then. The snowshoeing day was a wonderful reminder to me that there is much I enjoy about snow country. I had forgotten many of the winter joys that filled my childhood and early adult years. I hope you get the chance at a pleasurable, even half day in the snow again to see if you are likewise charmed!
Avoided it is the better choice of words. It's not too late though. Your words are motivating. If I could figure out how to post here a picture from high school of us, plus a few more male and female friends, at Alpine or Squaw I would. Just so your dear readers know, we were not up to no good. My father is in the photograph.
Ah, how absolutely beautiful. That one image of the lake with the ducks swimming across is stunning.
Not even the cold would disturb me if I was there. We get little if any snow here (Tasmanian coast) and when it does happen, we fizz and bubble with joy so I can relate to your excitement. We even go snow hunting when we have a severe cold front from Antarctica.
The cold for me is the time to walk on windy, barren beaches and exult in the sheer washed-clean look of the coast, or in the bush and rainforests where snakes and bugs have gone into hibernation. Time to have the cobwebs of summer blasted out because summer and this one in particular, has been heavy and exhausting.
Thanks for your comments, Prue. Sorry to hear how heavy your summer has been. You've had a lot going on. Hope some of the swimming keeps your head clear. xx
I love the way you described the snowy light. I grew up in snowy Minnesota and loved how muted the air is when the snow is fresh. It just feels like a silence hush falls on the city when the snow is insulating us. Here is Seattle it snowed significantly a few years ago and I noticed that same muted hush in our urban neighborhood.
Lovely photos, too.
Thanks so much for your nice comments Jen. That muffled silence is really special isn't it? Our snowshoeing adventure was not too far from you: we were near Snohomish pass. Maybe on our next visit to Seattle we can meet for a walk!
I would love that!
Oh good! Didn't want to sound stalker-ish 🤣! I'll let you know when our next trip is, later this year.
Got stuck at Cape Wrath one Xmas, built an igloo, survived. I'd learned the skill in the Army - winter survival course on Helvelyn, during it's worst winter in living memory. Sgt Major got swept away in a torrent, the guides got us lost in the fog.... and I got posted to the Gulf of Aden. Back from the desert, again at Xmas, hitch hiking at night north of Nottingham, no vehicles in the snowstorm, ended up building a roadside igloo in the dark. Just about to crawl in when the first car in hours gave me a lift home. Let it snow. Peace, Maurice
Wow!! Those are proper snow stories!!! I am very impressed with your ability to stay focused and do what was needed to survive. I have been 'snowed in' before, but the key word there is 'IN'. We had a cabin to stay in until the roads could be cleared. No survival needed; just patience. Hope you still enjoy a snowflake now and again. Thanks so much for sharing these real life examples of snow adventures!
Thanks Sabrina. I think survival is about trusting one's instincts, and that the poisons pushed by Big Food and Big Pharma, have corrupted the clarity of our minds to the point of complacency. Mega consumerism has handed over our instinct for survival
Lovely words and photos, Sabrina. When I abandoned Austin for Williamstown, in the Berkshires of northwestern Massachusetts, many of my Texas friends reacted with incredulity: you're VOLUNTARILY moving to a place with SNOW?!? But, like you, I love the hush and softness of falling snow, and I loved the clear demarcation of four actual seasons, and honestly I'd rather be cold than hot (I figure you can always add another layer if you're cold, but once you strip yourself naked in the heat, there's really nothing else to be done). Besides, how can you truly appreciate spring without a real winter? I have to say, however, that since moving back home to San Francisco I haven't missed those single-digit (or negative!) temperatures. It was a chilly 43º this morning, and I busted out the wool coat and scarf and felt very cozy (and stylish) on my trek down to Caffe Trieste.
Thanks Martin. I think you are ALWAYS stylish ;).
I loved living in northern California, especially inland just one row of hills from the sea, where it gets cold in winter enough to wear warm jackets and hats. Besides enjoying wearing wooly sweaters, I also enjoy the plants that can grow when there is some winter cold. But I do miss the snow, and like you, loved my time spent in New England where we had snow. Glad you are are getting the perfect temperatures for your needs now!
"ALWAYS stylish" - haha!
Wonderful words and pictures, Sabrina!
I enjoy the look of snow, but I hate the cold, and once the snow is looking anything less than pristine - around here it turns to mucky slush in a heartbeat - well, it can go away, thanks very much! 🤣 One day I'd love to go somewhere with proper proper snow - and be dressed for it in all the right gear so I don't freeze - and I will adore every moment of it.
Thanks! I'm with you about not liking cold! I'm happiest when it is not snowing or sleeting, preferably sun, and I am moving gracefully enough to keep warm and not get too tired. Our 90 minutes jaunt was a perfect length. And then curling up by a fire afterwards is how I like to end a day in snow. Hope you get that chance someday soon!
Ah, it's the curling up with a cosy cuppa afterwards that's surely the best bit! Gotta earn it, though, right?! 🤭
Sabrina and Martin you did such a beautiful job of describing why I love winter and the feel of true seasons that all I can add is “Ditto! Ditto!” I do love my memories of growing up in California but from an early age loved pictures of the eastern part of the US, especially in autumn and winter, and so once I went east for college I basically didn’t go back except for a couple of random years west and south. Now I’m married to a man who absolutely LOVES winter, with all of its snow sports, beauty and adventures, so let it snow (please!)! ❄️❄️❄️
PS And snowshoeing is my favorite outdoor winter activity!!
I didn't remember that you love snowshoeing—I certainly understand why! (Although I did have a few aches in places I didn't know I could ache the following days). I would love to have the chance to do more of that, but for now I will just have to cherish the memory of a fun day out. Unless we come visit you in winter! I'm so happy you've found your perfect place for all seasons.
Married to a man from the tropics who I don't think has spent any time, at least voluntarily, in the snow, I've avoided going to the mountains in winter. I seem to have talked myself out of it when there are warmer climes, and a happier husband to enjoy. My already low tolerance to cold has gotten even lower. But reading your post, I wonder if I'm missing something. I do remember on many cross country ski outings or hiking across the crunchy snow the serenity, calm, and beauty the cold and snow offered. It was wonderful. And we always returned to a warm abode, except for once on Mt. Shasta when we slept in an igloo we'd constructed. (The main pleasure of that trip was that we had to eat 4500 calories a day.)
Your post makes me want to try again. And if I don't, you created enough vivid images to at least make me want to experience the snow and its beauty again. You're helping to wipe out a negative thought and that's always good.
I didn't realise you hadn't been spending any time in snow, or that you had avoided it. I have lots of memories of us in playing in the snow when we were younger. But that was then. The snowshoeing day was a wonderful reminder to me that there is much I enjoy about snow country. I had forgotten many of the winter joys that filled my childhood and early adult years. I hope you get the chance at a pleasurable, even half day in the snow again to see if you are likewise charmed!
Avoided it is the better choice of words. It's not too late though. Your words are motivating. If I could figure out how to post here a picture from high school of us, plus a few more male and female friends, at Alpine or Squaw I would. Just so your dear readers know, we were not up to no good. My father is in the photograph.
🤣 🤣 🤣
Ah, how absolutely beautiful. That one image of the lake with the ducks swimming across is stunning.
Not even the cold would disturb me if I was there. We get little if any snow here (Tasmanian coast) and when it does happen, we fizz and bubble with joy so I can relate to your excitement. We even go snow hunting when we have a severe cold front from Antarctica.
The cold for me is the time to walk on windy, barren beaches and exult in the sheer washed-clean look of the coast, or in the bush and rainforests where snakes and bugs have gone into hibernation. Time to have the cobwebs of summer blasted out because summer and this one in particular, has been heavy and exhausting.
Travel safe back home, Sabrina.
Thanks for your comments, Prue. Sorry to hear how heavy your summer has been. You've had a lot going on. Hope some of the swimming keeps your head clear. xx