Saturday, December 22, 2012

Starting Winter.

I celebrated the world not ending by going with a friend for a soak in Hot Springs. Different tub than I usually get, but still right on the creek. The naturally warm water, piped up from underground, is heavenly on a cold morning.
A pair of pileated woodpeckers flew around the trees around the tub.
A fat squirrel appeared almost immediately. Apparently I'm not the only one who brings food to share. At first, he only took the peanuts I tossed to him.
After a while, though, he figured out how to open the plastic bag and help himself. He seemed to be taking the peanuts away to stash.
We drove around a bit up over the river.
And then a short walk before lunch.
Up in the mountains it had snowed overnight.
It was a gorgeous day, cool but sunny.
We tried to walk this trail, but ran into a little snag.  We found another trail farther along that wasn't flooded out.
Not a bad day.

26 comments:

  1. Well, I'm envious of your fab day. We had 8 inches of snow yesterday, so yeah, sucks to be me! Have a great rest of your weekend and a great holiday if you don't post again.

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    1. Brrr. This is the first snow I've seen this year, and I'm already bracing for real winter to hit.

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  2. Beautiful start to winter!! How cute with the squirrel being comfortable to take the nuts out of the plastic bag! Does seem like he was saving up "for a rainy day" with them too!! Have a Merry Christmas!

    betty

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    1. I always wonder how squirrels remember where they've stashed their food, but I guess they have a system.

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  3. nice...what a beautiful day...a soak in the hot tub sounds wonderful...though i def like the scenery on the walk...squirrels are the coolest as well...smiles.

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    1. The soak was the best part - there's something about sitting in that warm water while the creek flows by that is wonderful.

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  4. OMG...I wish I could have been there with you to experience this beeeautiful day!

    What GORGEOUS photos! Being a HUGE squirrel lover, I loved the ones of the furry little creatures!

    If we don't speak before then, I want to wish you and your family a VERY Merry Christmas, my friend! It's been such a pleasure getting to know you through our blogs this past year. I look forward to sharing more in 2013!

    X

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    1. And the same to you, Ron! I'm hoping for a good 2013 for all of us.

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  5. Thanks for the peanuts.

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  6. Lovely pictures, esp. the creek. I have a friend who has a sauna he's built near a lake...they ski in, sit in the sauna, then roll in the snow. Not me.
    Sure you don't want some snow? Got lots.

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    1. Thanks. I wouldn't be inclined to roll in the snow either. And no! Keep it, please!

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  7. wow that sounds fantastic. I'd love to soak in hot springs on a chilled day. The photos are great! i love that vista of the mountains. Lucky you. I do love snow though, so I'm hoping we get lots more--like a couple feet. But that never happens.

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  8. Beautiful scenery SAW. Happy Christmas to you and your family. x

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  9. A soak in the Hot Springs - sounds great. I never tire of the amazing pics of your local landscapes. You live in a fabulous part of the country.

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    1. The natural beauty here is probably the best thing about this place.

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  10. Gorgeous. Now that's Christmas! Thanks for reminding me what I should be spending my vacation time doing -- hiking. Love your photographs; you have a great eye. I think I mean you are good at noticing what's beautiful. Happy holidays to you.

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    1. Thank you. I try to make en effort to notice what's beautiful.

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  11. Beautiful pictures. It looks so bright and clear, yet I can almost feel the chill in the air too.
    I bet the squirrels around there have learned to love the hot tub guests.
    Merry Christmas!

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    1. Definitely a chill in the air! But plenty warm in a jacket (and of course, in the water). And yes, I was thinking about how lucky those squirrels are!

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