An Unexpected Sunny Walk

The Modern Hiker

8:11

A Raft Of Ducks

8:58

It's 8:30 at the moment and yesterday's sun has disappeared, as gray has taken over the sky and lake on a chilly 24º morning, another day in paradise.  The lake is still open in some areas north of the bridge, in front of our house for example, but the south end is frozen.  

Blue Skies

Yesterday, a Monday, despite the political news, was a very good day.  We had our relaxing morning coffee and writing of the blog but then easily decided on what to do, drive 23 miles to the Audubon Nature Center and walk their grounds.  We didn't leave until 11:00, having done some things around the house. It takes a half-hour to get there and we were rewarded with a sunny day,  We decided it could have easily have been a spring day with the sun and field and barren trees.  

When we arrived at the Audubon, we were surprised at the number of cars, maybe ten.  We walked in the opposite direction of what we usually walk, creating an entirely new experience. Despite the cars, we ran into only three other hikers.  We were out for over an hour, taking our time, enjoying the sun, the chilliness of the dark hemlock woods.  It's a pleasant and varied area to walk, with some open fields, woods, marshes with bridges to cross.  We were surprised at the ice on the trails in some parts where the trees obstructed the sun's warmth and we had to skirt the edges of the path.  

We did not get home until 1:30 and I warmed up some of Evie's soup for lunch and watched more of Deadwood.  I started a new Michael Connelly novel, his latest, The Law Of Innocence, and, of course, fell asleep while reading, the good life. We were both tired from our drive and walk so we did little the rest of the afternoon but waited patiently for happy hour when we were having our weekend  Manhattans, two days later than usual.  Evie popped some popcorn, got out Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar and we were both happy to celebrate a sunny day in the outdoors.  

Dinner was easy, the leftover pork chops, baked potatoes, cauliflower, and salad, Yum.  We did not watch anything interesting, channel surfing between news, Jeopardy and briefly, the Ohio State game. We ended the night with a new episode of Hometown.