The brilliant sunshine finally overwhelmed the virus- and bacteria-induced inertia of this morning, and I could no longer resist the urge to be outside. A short snowshoe was in order.
I followed my tracks from last weekend across the yard and into the woods behind the house. After just a week of above-freezing daytime temperatures, the snow was noticeably softer, verging on rotten. The water dripping from the spruce boughs carried enough tannins to make it look as if the trees were peeing, and there was a definite whiff of green in the air.
I decided to climb one of the small ridges overlooking Valdez Glacier Stream. My neighbor had mentioned on Facebook that she'd been up there this morning, so I figured I could follow her tracks. Not seeing where she climbed, I made my own trail and soon intercepted hers. I don't know why I always hesitate to make my own trails through the snow. I thoroughly enjoyed leaving my neighbor's to find my own views, and was a bit sad that her trail was the most reasonable route back down.
The sun was so warm on my back that I had to shed both my lightweight vest and my gloves - heaven. Standing at the summit of the little ridge, I could hear avalanches thunder down the slopes near Valdez Glacier, but they must have all been around the corner from my vantage point as I was unable to see any of the snow slides.
As much as I enjoy being able to access on my snowshoes areas usually to brushy to venture into, I welcome these signs of spring. I have high hopes that Madeleine and I will be out pedaling soon.
