Winter's Last Hurrah

Potomac River

Saw this fox hunting frogs

First of the Virginia Bluebells

Winter's Last Hurrah today

 Today, hopefully, is winter's last hurrah. Its currently snowing as I type this and the wind is howling outside my window. Yesterday was in the 60's. Monday will return to the 60's and warmer weather appears to be staying all next week. Masks have become optional and are coming off in local schools for the first time in two years. Spring will be here, and the woods will be coming back to life. Early wildflowers are already on the scene although covered with snow, at least for today. The light is becoming brighter by the day. Birds are getting louder in the mornings when I wake up for work. I hope to get more hikes in after work as daylight savings time returns tomorrow. 

February

 Hard to believe February is already wrapping up.  The pandemic appears to be winding down again, as restrictions and mandates are slowly being lifted around the area. Around Maryland, the month has shown us winter, then spring, then winter again, back to spring again. The first wildflowers began popping out of the earth early in the month when we had a string of sunny days in the mid 50's. Then we had a little more snow, followed by the first 70-degree day of 2022. As we approach the end of the month, the spring peepers (frogs) have already come out of the earth to begin their mating rituals in the vernal pools, after our first warmish night of rain a few days ago. The sunlight is beginning to brighten as the sun slowing increases its trajectory through the sky. Looking forward to the next few weeks as my favorite time of year begins...

January

Icy Potomac River

Potomac River Treasures

Plummers Island

Plummers Island Cabin

Plummers Island plaques on rocks

Old machinery on C&O Canal 

Frozen Pine Lake

 Arctic air has remained in the area all month, slowly freezing local waterways and bodies of water. It's been refreshing to hike through, as long as the appropriate layers are worn. The Potomac River has large, slushy ice chunks floating down it at the moment, a sight not often seen, creating an interesting slushy sound as the ice flows past rocky areas. Occasional snow storms have come and gone, making for tricky driving conditions and a few school closures. It's supposed to remain cold for the rest of the month...

First hike of 2022: Snow Day!

Last hike of 2021 

First hike of 2022

2021 has come to a close and we are now in 2022. We just had an unbelievably mild December, Christmas and New Years Eve were in the mid 60's. In fact, many plants started to sprout in the forest, which made it look like early March. Suddenly, in what almost seems like the first cold day of winter, a snowstorm arrived today, blanketing the area in about 6 inches of snow. I managed to get out for a hike for a couple hours before the snow let up.

We were supposed to head back to school today after a 10 day winter break, but classes were canceled due to snow. Tomorrow, I'm certain we will at least have a delay. The pandemic continues to rage on at this moment in time. I wish I could say I have moved on, but that is not the case. I've managed to evade infection up to this point, and now it feels all but inevitable as we head back into the classroom as Omicron cases skyrocket. All I can do is hope cases are mild, as reported. Otherwise, here's to a hopeful and healthy 2022...

RIP "Rachel Carson" Northwest Branch Trail 2021

 RIP Northwest Branch Trail (?-2021)

The trail of my youth is unfortunately now unrecognizable. Such is life. It's still there thankfully. The trail went online a couple of years ago, and became official. At the beginning of the pandemic, the people began to show up. Weekend after weekend, a few more cars would fill the parking area near the trailhead. Now, on most weekends, the lot is full. The trail is heavily impacted by foot traffic, side trails abound. The place where I always sought peace and solitude throughout my adult life, is now a human highway with groups, couples, dogs, and phone chatter. Thankfully I still have a couple of ace's up my sleeve, for places where I can get away. The trail now belongs to the people. Those who need solitude will have to go elsewhere...