Anatomy of a snow hike
February 20, 2008 | Filed under: Stuff
The other morning I looked out window and saw SUN!
I grabbed the snow gear and snow shoes and suited up.
Those are my feet, just to be clear. I headed into the woods with Ashes, who grumbled the whole time about NOT having snow shoes. Diva.
We start walking the trail . . .
And then suddenly I begin to wonder about all the odd snow covered shapes.
Huh.
A little creepy, you know? I start to feel a little nervous, like maybe I’m in pod people country, or I’ve made a turn into the Twilight zone . . .
What the heck is that?? Or these:
I look around and suddenly realize Ashes is sitting on my feet with her hair all fuzzed up. I don’t know about you, but that’s enough for me really. If Ashes is scared, count me in too. I’m thinking it’s time to go home.
Now.
Then I turn around and face this:
Okay, I realize this is just a tree covered in snow, but go with me on this. Alone in the woods, the sun has vanished, the dog is a little freaked, and then I realize.
I have NO idea where I am.
None.
Now I might seem a little off my rocker but I’m not stupid.
Really.
I retraced my own tracks, running past this poor fallen tree (or at least as much running as you can do while wearing snow shoes which trust me, is about as easy as running in flippers)
And then I see it.
My oasis.
My favorite place in the whole world.
Home.
Yeah. Now that I’m not lost and potential bear bait, things would be perfect — if only the case of Girl Scout cookies I’d ordered (for medicinal purposes of course) had arrived . . .
Posted by Jill @ 1:00 am | Make a Comment
Alicia says:
wow Jill, what a fantastic view of your home through all that snow and those gorgeous trees. Here in Australia, I’ve never been in snow that wasn’t manufactured in an indoor facility.
I hope those cookies arrive soon for you
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 4:21 amStacy ~ says:
Wow, it does look like you were deserted in a foreign white world, and without cookies. Sounds scary to me….but very beautiful as well.
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 4:26 amJudy F says:
NEXT time pack cookies…. We are having snow today but nothing like that. Almost slide into a ditch today and some idiot rode my back bummer most of the way. grrr.
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 5:18 amKim A. says:
God, what a stunning landscape! Winter in the city is dirty and ugly, unless fresh snow has just fallen.
If you tell me you have a hot tub out on a deck, I’m packing my bags for a weekend visit. Hot tub, hot toddy, gorgeous views…Yeah, I could do that… :rotfl:
-Kim
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 5:48 amAnne says:
Oh boy. I’d be running too! Now, this may just be me and my dirty mind, but did anyone else think the snow-covered tree looked like a big semi-erect penis? :bananadance: Seriously… my min. :no:
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 6:29 amAnne says:
Ugh, that should be my mind. :loser:
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 6:29 amMelissa's Cozy Teacup says:
Too funny. I’m the same way but in my suburban neighborhood which is infested with deer, bears, mountain lions, foxes and coyotes. I see more wildlife here, than when we go up into the mountains. :rotfl:
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 6:35 amlintys says:
it’s so pretty there! who could resist a walk in the snow with such beautiful surroundings. like Judy said, next time bring cookies. that way if you get lost you can follow your crumbs back home a la hansel and gretel. Anne, I guess my mind’s in the same gutter yours is, as I thought the same thing! :yes:
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 6:43 amLaurie says:
Your pics are simply beautiful – thanks for sharing them! We’re having snow, but just a couple of inches on the ground – right now we’re having those big flakes that make you feel like you’ve been shaken in a snowglobe, it’s so pretty.
Have a great day!
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 7:07 amDee says:
This is why you should always carry a flask of something “medicinal”…
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 7:09 amCaryn says:
Glad you made it back okay! And I’m impressed that you managed anything faster than a lumbering gait in snowshoes. Those things make me so awkward and slow!
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 7:19 amAsthmagirl says:
Beautiful pictures!
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 7:24 amI don’t think you should hike without cookies. They you could throw the remaining ones at the bear while you make a break for it in your flippers!
Liza says:
Hope your cookies come in soon! I know they would make the hike much easier. BTW, another gutter mind here…
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 7:34 amJill says:
Definitely the dirty minds are not alone, lol. Go back a few days and see the post where I put up pics of a certain stump topped with snow and you’ll see what I mean . . . :yes:
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 7:44 amAlice Audrey says:
I knew a guy who has snowshoes for his dog. At least he said he did. I never saw them in action.
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 8:15 amRobin G. says:
Am I the only one who started imagining the hedge animals from “The Shining”?
I’m going to go lock the door now.
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 8:19 amMental Pause Mama says:
Ahhh yes, gimme a plate of thin mint cookies with a little chardonnay chaser, and life is good. Those pictures are beautiful by the way.
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 8:56 amBailey Stewart says:
USA Today Bestselling Romance Author Jill Shalvis lost in the high Sierras. Crates of Girl Scout Cookies are being dropped by the park service in hopes of trying to keep her alive while the search continues. Ms. Shalvis’ children cry and weep for their mother’s return. “Who will do our laundry. Clean the litter box, pick up after the puppy?” the middle child was heard wailing. “And she has Ashes with her” the youngest whined. Her oldest was heard whispering to her father “Can I have her car now?”
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 9:08 amCourtney says:
Hope your cookies arrive soon Jill.
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 9:58 amJen(aside) says:
Ah! Pod people! RUN!
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 10:10 amBrandy says:
What is it about snow that is so beautiful, but then becomes overwhelming with the silence and odd shapes over ordinary objects?
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 10:22 amYou have Girl Scout cookies? Boo-hoo! No one sold in my neighborhood this year.
Sarah says:
I am such a chicken, OMG, I would get freaked out ALL the TIME if I lived in the woods (and went walking in the woods alone) like you do!!
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 11:04 amSarah says:
Oh, and did you see the ANTM premiere is tonight???
Just, in case, I don’t know, you might know someone who’s interested?? 
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 11:06 amDonna M says:
Beautiful pictures, thanks. I love seeing you on snowshoes!. You have such great adventures, do you do it just to keep us entertained?
Bailey, I love your headlines!
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 11:26 amDonna M says:
P.S. What the heck is ANTM? Guess it isn’t something I watch!!
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 11:32 amJill says:
Donna, it’s America’s Next Top Model. I’ve become a shameless reality TV slut, I’m afraid. I blame the strike.
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 11:41 amapril says:
Wow, that is beautiful. It looks like you can just see smoke coming out of a chimney and it would be right out of a movie! I’ll think of the little oasis as I drive home to my tiny high-rise city apartment. I do love the city living though.
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 12:59 pmBailey Stewart says:
I blame the strike
That’s your story and you’re sticking to it.
Thanks Donna!
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 2:05 pmjeanne says:
Into the depths of a writer’s mind – I loved it. I too thought of the Shining. And Bailey your comments were hysterical. I swear this is my biggest laugh of the day – thank you all!
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 3:00 pmCryna says:
Wow, you were so alone out there with Ashes, and the shapes were scary. Bailey has a wicked sense of humor. Hope that your cookies arrived.
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 8:21 pmShelly says:
Wow! This reminds me of a book I read…..the gal is a LA artist who inherits a lodge and goes out trudging in the snow to see if she can find it. She gets all scared by the “monsters” in the shadows too but luckily for her has a hot zoologist along who is handy in the woods and keeps her safe. Thank goodness you didn’t get struck by lighting like she did!
I can’t remember the name of the author but I’d have to think she must be following you around just waiting to steal your experiences for material. You might want to look into that. (wink)
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 9:13 pmSuzanne Perazzini says:
I just love those photos – as much as I love your blog. I drop in daily to check it out.
Posted on February 20th, 2008 at 10:54 pmlintys says:
Jill,
Posted on February 21st, 2008 at 1:36 pmyep, I remember that stump! I had to take a second look at the tree – at first I thought it was that same stump again!
Bayou Woman says:
I can’t even imagine a scene like this! You are my new hero! I’m not sure I could even find my way back with my tracks to follow!
Posted on February 27th, 2008 at 6:42 amBW