So long February!

2/22/22

One week left of this wretched winter month. 

I went on a 5.2 mile hike to Barkersville and LeVine Preserves in the northwestern part of Saratoga County. It got up to 50 degrees, but we were on ice and snow the whole way. The thickness of the ice on the creeks was an impressive 1 to 2 feet thick. We got the nicest slice of the day with some sunshine and no wind, but 2 hours later, a front is blowing past with wind and rain.

Ralph trying to get us still for a picture.

Success!


                          Exploring the old foundations.
      Cadman Creek

2/24/22
 A 4 mile neighborhood walk yesterday and a 4 mile hike in the Normanskill Ravine Preserve this morning should keep me limber for future summer hikes. 
Tomorrow we're supposed to get 8-12 inches of snow so I bought some paint today to begin to transform the fireplace. I fully expect to have to try a few times before hiring someone to replace it, but I feel crafty.

2/25
I started the day with an upper body workout shoveling 8" of snow from the driveway. We're supposed to get a few more inches by tonight, so round 2 will be later. Now for some painting of the fireplace tile which has always vexed me. I swear that the builders used two slightly different colors between the floor and wall sections. Here is the before:



                                                      And after:

I still reserve the right to tear the whole thing out and have a mason install some real stonework.

2/26

Another round of Identity Fraud this morning. Today's mail included 2 debit cards from a bank in Georgia. I called them to make them aware it was a fraudulent account, and was told to call back Monday. I tried to explain that I was notifying them of fraud, not trying to commit it. She was not impressed. Sigh.

I went out to tidy up the snow shoveling job and decided to go for a short solo hike. It started off fine on the familiar Ridge trail, but then I saw the Davitt Creek trail and wanted to explore. It isn't on the map so I think its not yet an official trail. All went well until I ran into a stream crossing where the water was high and the ice was dicey. I ended up with one leg in the freezing water up to my knee and my boot and sock soaked. I made my way across and decided to keep a good pace so a frozen foot would not be a problem. I was the only human to cross the creek, so I was breaking trail and glad I decided on snowshoes instead of spikes. I followed deer tracks for awhile until I realized another animal was also following the deer - and it had paws.
I spent the rest of the hike pondering the wisdom of hiking alone. I'll do it again, but I'll send a dead body text first so my friends will know where to search.

2/28

Yesterday turned out to be a great day to break out the cross country skis for the first time in 2 years. Lyne and I went to Brookhaven in Saratoga County and skied for 2.5 hours on the nicely groomed trails. The cranberry mules and fish and chips for dinner were a nice finish to the day. 
Today I hiked the familiar Thacher Park trails with the Mates - a 5.5 miler. So there February! See you next year, but hopefully from a warm climate like Ecuador or Arizona or anywhere but frozen upstate NY.

                          My new down jacket was worth every penny.

                          Esther, me, and Susan at the hang glider look out; 24 degrees - chilly!


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