Really April?

4/11 -  It has snowed four days out of the first 10 days of April due to a cold air system settled over the east coast. I'm thinking fondly of the biking I enjoyed in March, wondering when I'll get another ride in. Friday arrived with snow flurries and the street cleaning machine getting rid of the grit that was spread on the roads all winter. I decided on a visit to the Valentino Forest where I picked up some very distinctive rocks for my garden last year. I set off on a solo rock hunt and had the place to myself as mine was the only car in the parking area. I always pack my pepper spray and let a friend know where I was, as hiking alone can be risky.

The stream was running well from all the rain we've had.

It's such a pretty hemlock forest. I looked up often, trying to spot the porcupines
 which live here. Hemlock is one of their favorite foods.

I took the Sophie's Knoll trail in search of the right rock. I found an OK shaped one
and carried it for about a mile until I found a much better one. It must have
 weighed 25-30 lbs! Even though the hike was short, the extra weight in my pack 
 made it an excellent workout.

I'm standing on the foundations of an old home and the sugar shack is in the distance.
I passed two groups of hikers on my way back to the car, so a few other 
people had the same idea to get outside on a grey and wet day.

Just a random flatbread Hawaiian pizza I made for dinner after warming up in the hot tub.

4/12 - Make that 5 days of snow! this morning I woke up to this:

Another round of spring snow.

My earliest flowering tree. I have no idea what kind it is.

I messaged a few friends about biking today for a laugh, but from their replies, they are just as frustrated with this weather as I am. Ever the optimist, I looked at the long range forecast and realized this is probably the last snow of the season so I decided to embrace and appreciate it. I jumped in the car and headed over to the Barberville Falls to enjoy the snowy scene. Well, not so much snow, but still pretty. 

Oddly enough, there was more snow at home.

When I got back in the car to return home, I impulsively turned east and further up the plateau. I saw more snow up there and just enjoyed a drive in the country. The temperature was just at the freezing point and I worried about slippery roads as I passed a snow plow at the top of the pass. I headed down the other side and found myself in the tiny village of Berlin. Since I had yet to eat breakfast, I stopped for a coffee and pastry, then headed back up the plateau. 

A random pond.

These girls were not the least bit phased by the snow.

Somewhere near the top of the pass.

I enjoyed the ride and even took a few side roads to explore further, stopped at the library, then the gas station, and was home by noon. Now back to more mundane matters as it is set to rain the rest of the day. I potted up some of the larger zinnia seedlings, planted some more seeds, and dreamed of gardening outside some day soon!