Larry A. Smail's Blog

I am behind my times. Yes, the walk I am writing about occurred a week ago during a beautiful snowy day. I have been   remodeling a room and have neglected to add this entry.

The interesting truth of the matter is of this past week with record breaking heat and rain. The temperatures actually reached into the upper seventies. I find this hard to imagine since a week ago I was in a snowy heaven.

As stated, I had been working with remodeling a room. However, the snow-laden landscape was nudging at me and I elected to head out for an evening hike. I knew the planned walk would bring me full circle after daylight had ceased for the day. Yes, this was to be a grand time afield for me. I hadn’t gone far when I found four sets of deer tracks. they were obviously not very old since the falling snow would have erased the detail I was seeing. I worked a ridgeline peering down over to try to see deer. As I approached a basin-like hollow I noticed the four deer exiting across form me. They went up and over the hill side.

I walked a short distance and found more tracks crossing before me. I would see three deer at this point.

  The hike was so peaceful. The air was still as possible and the snow falling was straight from heaven. The trees and limbs were all holding an inch or so of snow.

As dusk approached a beautiful pinkish hue covered all things. I was in awe at how the dusk was surrounding me. I stopped to listen and watch and take it all in.

Darkness was becoming dense and I would not be able to take any more photos while hand-holding the camera.  I jumped several deer and would see five altogether in thick goldenrods. I barely could make them out at this time.                                    

I reached the jeep well into darkness.truthfully, I hated to end the jaunt, but I had witnessed a grandeur seldom sensed by mankind today. Peace on earth!