12/40/15 Essex Woods

After clearing two driveways we went over to Essex Woods. There had been one walker yesterday and one skier this morning., so not easy walking There was a man and his dog in the dog park but Kelley passed that by.

I think she is reconsidering.

The snow gives a nice background so now that we have it there will be lots of this kind of thing.

and, hopefully some pretty scenes

This little hike turned out a bit frustrating. Usually Kelley wants to go up the sliding hill but today she stayed at the bottom. When I got to the top, I called but she just stayed there and then walked off behind the trees. I decided she was returning the way we had come and headed back down the trail we had used, And found her still at the bottom of the hill. This time she followed me up. Don't know what that was about but I got extra exercise, and a bit of a worry. 

12/29/15 Neighborhood

First real snow  and cold - 11 degrees - we just walked around the neighborhood. Kelley loves the snow.

Some pictures from our walk.

Back home she decided to stay outside

This was early morning so we spent most of the day inside while the snow continued. Will deal with it tomorrow 

12/28/15 DeMeritt Forest

Mostly sunny but 18 degrees and we got a little bit of snow

The first few places Kelley usually gets in the water had ice - not thick  but she doesn't like it . She then caught the scent of someone up ahead and got excited and headed for them. A nice man and his dog Hank. Kelley and Hank became friends.

One of the side trails looked OK

but turned out to be pretty wet

The next trail wa drier

Cold but nice hike, Kelley was very enthusiastic from the start but really seemed to enjoy Hank and his owner and, of course , the snow. 1  1/2 hours  

12/25/15 Little Long Pond

Sun ! Mid 40's and no wind when we started - 50 degrees at the end.

Click this pano for large version



The lack of wind made the pond surface like a mirror and I took too many pictures.

I didn't forget Kelley

The West Trail had been wet but when we got to the intersection with the Jordan Stream the water was high and the bridges had water at each end so we had to bushwhack around them.

The stream

The last time we did this trail there was a bridge in terrible shape that Kelley refused to cross and we had to find another spot for her to cross - that would have been  difficult today with the rushing water. We were happy to find that bridge had been replaced.

Looking back down the stream from the cobblestone bridge

This tree was beside the carriage road that we took on the east side of the pond.

One last refection

This is Kelley's favorite hike and she was enthusiastic, often taking the lead. Of course she likes all the water but she also really likes to meet the people and dogs we meet on the carriage road coming back.  2 hours 

12/24/15 Essex Woods

Another gray, foggy, drizzly morning. Neither of us very enthusiastic so we went to nearby Essex Woods for a short walk. Meager pickings for pictures but I took a few.

You can see the fog hung on.

Kelley managed to get wet and we got a little exercise. Supposed to be sun tomorrow. 

12/23/15 Perch Pond Trails

Gray, foggy, forties, and rain predicted. We picked nearby Perch Pond.

The small pond had a thin coating of ice.

 which Kelley did not like and stayed right next to shore

The trails were very wintery looking but without snow

The big pond was not frozen but had ice along the shore

Kelley wouldn't cross the ice so I cleared away a bit and she was able to get in the water

Reflection in a pool on the way back

Not a bad hike in spite of the dreary weather. Kelley seemed happy, except for the ice, and did well.  1  1/2 hours