Deep Snow Hikes and Bright Skies

We've been doing a lot of hikes out in our forest, and let me tell you, in knee to hip-high snow, it is hard work!  We love getting this kind of exercise, and taking Riley with us has been quite a romp. She gets to run on top of the snow while we slog along, one step at a time!

We've talked about buying a pair of cross-country skies, and maybe someday we will.  But for now, we try to take a trail carved out with our snowmobile, or find trails that snowmobiles have been on or make our own path by slogging it out... which is far better exercise than you'll find in any gym!

This January, it has all been about the skies! Morning and evening, there have been glorious sunrises and sunsets that brighten up the otherwise dreary skies.



Occasionally the sun has put forth a half-hearted effort to brighten the skies, and for even that, we are thankful.



We visited a state forest park and the sun did us a favor and came out and shed its warmth on us while we walked around with little Riley.



We now can't imagine our lives without this sweet little girl, she brings fun to every moment of the day!



The trail leads from this park back into the mountains.  We enjoyed walking in the path the snowmobiles had made.

Riley LOVES the snow.  It is so fun to see her scamper around as she plays.



She only sits still long enough to catch her breath, and then she's off to the races again.

A rare quiet moment captured by the camera!

Love the views the river affords us here.

Little one all tuckered out on the ride home...

Is there anything cuter than sleeping puppies (and babies too!) 

Later in the day, the gray skies lightened up as the sun began to set.

The views from the sky transformed the entire landscape into a wonderland of glorious light.

We took a little walk down the road to see the skies better.  As you can see, we aren't sure who is walking who... little Riley thinks she needs to hold Annie's leash!

Purple and pinks dancing together in glorious unison.

In between watching the show in the skies, there was quite the entertainment as we walked...

Annie was NOT impressed with the entertainment at all.  In fact, it makes me wonder how I will walk with Annie and Miss Riley! Our daughter walked with this and helped me corral Riley so we could walk, lol!

But when the skies did this... we all stopped and just gazed upwards!

My daughter, who is an artist, and loves to paint land and skyscapes wants to paint this.... I encouraged to please do it!  I would love an oil painting of this scene hanging on my wall!

Glory in the skies...

Riley didn't see what all the fuss was about... she found something in the street to play with, and her little heart was content to romp while we sky-gazed at the light in the skies above, making me think of this verse:

Every good gift 

and every perfect gift 

is from above, 

and cometh down from the Father of lights, 

with whom is no variableness, 

neither shadow of turning.  

James 1:17

Samuel Longfellow wrote: 

Into all our lives, in many simple, familiar homely ways, 

God infuses this element of joy from the surprises of life, 

which unexpectedly brighten our days, 

and fill our eyes with light.  

With hearts full of light and joy from the gifts given from our Father of lights, we walked home to enjoy some fresh homemade garden-fresh pumpkin pie with a lovely topping of whipped cream... the perfect ending to a wonderful day :)