9 February 2022 Getting Outdoors

The weather was warm enough to venture out for a short park visit with the dogs. The lengthening days are helping too.

Bluebirds are tough. It took me a long time to realize they wintered over.

A deer in the distance gives a good idea of how deep the snow is even now that it is packed.

Our local hardware store offered a glimpse of spring with shelves lined with garden hoses and watering cans.

6 February 2022 Snowshoes

5 February 2022 4 Below

I don't like winter. I try to tolerate it, but don't like the short days, the cold, the snow. I will admit though it can be beautiful. Today our backyard was a sight to behold especially as the temp slowly climbed above zero.

There was enough time at the end of the day to make a short visit to a local park.

I still don't like winter, but I am greatful for days like this to get me through it.

29 January 2022 Living in a Frozen World

We can go multiple years without dipping below zero. This will not be one of those years. Warmer days are not in the near forecast.

Luckily the birds have their feathers floofed out.

22 January 2022 Less Than Zero

Oh my this is cold...

Weather this cold calls for planning before taking the dogs outdoors to protect them. Very short walks and they can stay at home when we go for a longer visit at the park. Lizzie volunteered to assist with feeding the birds who were wearing their puffiest feathers.

We deecided to visit Medina Parks for the day to get some very cold exercise. The pileated woodpecker we spotted seemed to be less bothered by the cold. Maybe it's all the hunting for food activity that keeps it warm.

When farmland becomes a park...

It's better than the huge houses on a few acres, but I wonder what we will eat once we loss our farm land.

7 January 2022 First to Find

There was a cache nearby that had been published in the morning. It was still unfound around noon so we headed to the park for a very cold lunch time walk. We were first to find and we had a bit of exercise on a very cold day.

It really was as cold as it looked. Frozen ponds always have serenity.

5 January 2022 First Trip of the Year

I'm not certain of what look Holiday Inn Express was trying to achieve. Comfort has zero to do with this piece.

On the way home I was hoping to find a cache or two and maybe do it somewhere interesting. The Spencerville Covered Bridge was a double victory. The bridge was built in 1873. It no longer sees traffic, but it is a very good looking survivor. The St. Joe River runs below it.

I've been feeling jaded and tiring of seeing the same places. This was an unexpected treat in the middle of winter.

2 January 2022 Snow Birds

The mild days at the end of the year were replaced with cold temps and snow. Our yard is hosting the birds of winter with plenty of food.

31 December 2021 Visiting the Wilderness Center

We decided to spend a surprisingly mild New Years Eve at the trails of the Wilderness Center. We left the dogs at home so we could enjoy the trails in the area where dogs are prohibited. It was a peaceful visit and a great way to spend the last day of a trying year.

Every visit to this side we pass by this birding blind. I'm sure over the years we have seen a bird or two from the blind, but it always seems to be a very quiet pond. n Today was no exception with quiet water.

ildern Maybe 2022 will be a better time.

26 December 2021 Welton Gorge

Geauga Parks has opened another land holding as a park. We brought the dogs for a cold, sunny walk. The trails are mostly level, but there are super views of the gorge.

25 December 2021 Christmas Caching

The holiday felt like an early spring day, mostly damp and just above freezing. We decided the best way to spend some of the day together was to visit Frohring Meadows Park to look for a geocache we hadn't found/

We found both stages of the multicache easily then spent some time on the trail. Phineas was sporting his new quilted coat we purchased to give him more protection for his back.

24 December 2021 Christmas Eve at the Zoo

It's a tradition.

It was a tender moment watching the mother and her young baby.

It is a warm December 24th when the flamingos are out. Of the years we have visited here, this is only the second time the flamingos have been outdoors.

We didn't see many of the animals today. A number were off-exhibit. In the end, it's all about the time together and a new memory created.

21 December 2021 Backyard Birding

Putting out food for the birds has become quite an event for us.  Lizzie has started to recognize the sounds of the food containers opening and comes running back to walk out with me. 

The birds have returned in numbers for year two.