First Real Snow

Yesterday we had the first real snow and traffic suffered for it. The dread hazard black ice forming on the bridges and overpasses. Big fluffy crystals that still linger on the ground. Not the icy pellets we had some weeks ago.

People don't appreciate the Winter as they did in the past. The key is simple. A good pair of long underwear. But people get up, step into their heated garages with their already remotely started and warmed up and then scurry into work. Nary a moment to embrace the cold, let alone dress for it.

The North Woods; Wisconsin Highlands. An areal photo of our property. I borrowed a surveying tool from a place I had previously worked and staked out the eastern border. Remarks from cousins and family, as well as neighbors suggested they thought I didn't know what I was doing or where my property really was. The beaver dam at the north end had been breached right at my property line and the pond that my neighbor to the east used for duck hunting drained, much to his ire. He didn't do it. I didn't do it. Obviously someone thought my property was theirs and did it because it is illegal to kill beavers that aren't on your own property without a trapping license. And why take out the dam? I was looking to do some duck hunting myself if I had the chance (as well as rabbit, woodcock, grouse, pheasant, all there). I had marked my corner markers along the access. Found them remarked my last trip. Obviously someone had the borders checked by a professional (and found I was nearly spot on). .... Priceless.

The gas prices have come way down but still can't afford to get up for the deer hunt starting this Saturday. The truck is in the shop and have no idea how much that will cost us. Actually have a naturally armored section of the stream through my property that would make a nice crossing for a mountain bike. If I could snag some more property I could create my own private trail. At the last Metro Mountain Bikers meeting they started talking about trips to "Ray's" for these Winter months. I had mentioned here that I could fit at least a half dozen bikes in our truck, and some may think I could facilitate a large group to "Ray's" since, with our salted Winter highways, it is not healthy for the bike to carry it on an exterior rack. No ... I don't like to spend the night in strange places with people I am not familiar with. In my mind, when I wrote that, those half dozen bikes were all MINE!

Found a new MTB race in the news. South Africa appears to be looking for the MTB tourist dollar. Where Winter is Summer.

No I didn't repair my camera or buy a new one to get that photo.