Slowly but surely the temperatures rose last week, gently warming the snow and creating our second melt down of this winter season. While it was a nice break from the cold, I personally am struggling not to be discontent and long for spring too much;) as we all knew that the warm spell would not last. (as will be shown in the following post)
One day it was extremely sunny and very pleasant, even though it was just in the high thirties. Baby enjoyed it so much that she stayed outside most of the afternoon soaking up all the Vitamin D she could.
The same gorgeous afternoon I released my Duckies out of their pen and gave them a stroll around the yard. They thought about joining the chickens in their house, but thankfully thought better of it and contented themselves with waddling around in the puddles.
Despite the gentleness of the melt, all the snow turned into water was too much for our little pond, especially because all the land around us drains all it's water into our backyard. The ducks loved it but it created for quite a bit of slogging around for us humans.
On Saturday we decided to take advantage of the sunny afternoon and go for our February hike at Beaver Lake trails. We asked along Mr. Reiche as well as a few of the Bryson girls and headed out ready for adventure!
One of the first objects that attracted our attention was the cutest little chipmunk scurrying around int leaves, of course he did not stick around long enough for a proper picture, but I think this one of him diving off the log is pretty adorable anyways.
One of the reasons for this walk was our search for the first of the skunk cabbage. To our great surprise and over bounding delight, we found not one, but dozens and dozens of the little plants poking out of the cold moist dirt. It is amazing how early they will venture out of hibernation and even though they are not stunningly beautiful, nor at all nice smelling, they hold a place in our hearts as one of the first plants seen in spring.
Though it was all gone at our house, here, the ice still retained a hold on the lakes and marshes, just enough to add to the beauty.
On our way to our final destination we made our way up to pinnacle peak, as the Bryson girls had never before reached the summit.
Our true destination however, was the old ruins of the house that once proudly stood here. All that is left of it now is the steps going up to the house and a few broken rocks indicating a foundation.
A few yards away from the house ruins is an old empty well. It is still all intact and the way the stones are so neatly and firmly put all the way around the sides was quite a tribute to the builder.
Moss is slowly taking over the surface and creating a quiet picturesque look to the abandoned well.
A lovely afternoon was had by all as we partook of some healthy exercise and enjoyed the beauty of God's creation. The old foundations also reminded me of these verses;
"Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.
But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”
Luke 6:47-49
~Chs
