February 5 Finally--The Rogue River!

Friday Afternoon:  Once I finally reached the river, I was less than enthused with the reflections ... mostly the lack of color--I was at this exact place a few autumns ago and got really stunning pictures. There is something about an almost black river that doesn't do much for me!

The little house on the far shore helps to add a little interest to these pictures ...

As well as the beautiful deep umber leaves that are still on some of the trees ...

I like this shot (below) because it's just so ... CLEAN.

I walked only 2.5 miles throughout the 2.5 hours I was outside! It was pretty cold out here. I know this is an inordinate amount of pictures to post for one outing, but if you could see all the ones I HAVEN'T posted, you would know just how restrained I am being!

February 5 The other side of the park

Friday (continued):  I parked my car in the street, walked around the barrier to the parking lot and within a minute or so I was in the woods. Isn't it so lovely?

There is an open field between that woodsy spot (above) and the next one. There is also the playground I've taken Kaity to many times. Just behind the playground and picnic pavilion, the woods starts again ...

These are "magical" pictures to me ... I just love them.

I couldn't believe my eyes ... the sun actually broke through the thick snow clouds for about three minutes ... doesn't it brighten up the woods so nicely?

Look at the signage all covered in snow ...

I wiped this one off with my glove so that I could read, "A River Runs Through it" but I couldn't get all of the ice off ...

This very cool wigwam is just behind the playground ...

I'll show you pictures of the river in the next post ...

February 5 Snow on Snow, Part 1

Friday:  I left my house at about 10:30 this morning in search of the CLOSEST pretty woods I could navigate to ... so I returned to Rogue River Park since it is just a few miles up the road and I could take side roads to and from.

This first picture, though, is a driveway on Chauncey Avenue right where I couldn't get my car to go UP the hill to 7 Mile--too much ice! So I turned around and drove a different route!

I went once again to the park entrance that is off Belmont Road. You see, there is a sign/map that shows the Rogue River on this side of the park ... but ... I was having difficulty figuring out the map (surprise!). It SEEMED to show that if I just kept straight on this path, I would eventually reach the Rogue River--however, I would have to walk all the way to Packer. No problem (I thought). The snow was coming down hard--but at least the wind hadn't picked up yet like it did later in the day.

I find that I love the deep woods in the fall, winter and spring just as much as I love a beach along Lake Michigan. Winter in the woods, though, is my favorite. I love to get "lost" out here in God's wonder, His stillness and quiet ...

But after walking for quite a distance, I found myself right back to where I was the other day when I ventured OFF the path and got myself scary stuck in the mud. This could not possibly be the way to the river! The little stream you see, is NOT the Rogue--it's lovely, for sure though ...

I did get some nice pictures of the stream meandering through the woods. The snow was coming down SO hard. I was layered to the max, though, and was actually too warm!

I decided to turn around, go back to my car and drive around to the other park entrance. The parking lot is blocked off and it will be a long walk, but I know right where the Rogue River is from that side of the park ...

I took these last two pictures while driving out of the park ... I love snow-covered fences, don't you?

February 4 Thankful for Jesse

Thursday:  Today we are under a winter storm advisory. The snow began in earnest at about 4:30 here and right now, I can hardly see across my street. Kaity's swimming lesson begins at 6:30 tonight. Gold Fish Swim School is way east of town and on a regular night, it takes us 25 minutes to get there--which is no big deal at all. But ... I really do not like driving in hazardous conditions ...

I "messaged" Jesse through FB and asked him if I should cancel Kaity's lesson for tonight--but he offered to pick us up and take us to and from. YAY. You see, I already picked Kaity up after school and we are over here playing games of "Sleeping Queens" and getting dinner ready.

Thankfully, Jesse arrived exactly on time and ... I'm not sure how he was able to navigate these roads out here--I found that I couldn't even look--it was so scary! We arrived at 6:35 ... only to find out that her lesson had been scheduled for 6:00 NOT 6:30. My bad. They were super kind, though, and let Kaity have a 6:30 lesson. She was all ready to swim and walked right in. She did a great job again tonight.

Kaity was SO happy to be there and to be swimming in that nice WARM water.

I'm really thankful Jesse offered to take us tonight--otherwise, I know I would have cancelled. I'm also thankful that even though I messed up the time of her lesson, Gold Fish worked her in anyway. Their attendance tonight was very sparse, so it was not a problem. All of Kaity's future lessons will be scheduled at 7PM--that's a much better time for us. Good job tonight, Kaity!

February 3 He's the sweetest little guy

Wednesday:  This is Gregory Callaghan at almost nine months! He's learned how to crawl and is quite happy about it. Not that he wasn't already happy ... he's a real contented and low-key baby.

He is shaped like a little square. Pudgy and cute.

And look at those BLUE eyes ...

I love you, sweet baby!

I got to spend significant time with Callaghan tonight. We had some nice conversations too.

I love you, chunky little person!