After all the excitement prompted by the first (heavyish for the time of year) snowfall last week, we managed to calm ourselves and continue to enjoy the woods even after the snow disappeared pretty quickly. The granite greys and golden browns haven’t been as dull as that might sound, and there were still patches of snow to provide contrast.
In fact, our woodsy wanderings took place on almost warm days – warm as in a few degrees above freezing and under mostly blue skies. There’s a real delight in seeing the shape of trees that have lost their leafy cover. The woods are more open, the views are a little longer, and we can see the very healthy looking grey and black squirrels being busy in their autumn work. They dash and scamper, with an occasional pause to confirm we’re no threat, and then on they go. To say scamper makes it sound like they’re being frivolous, but that’s not really fair or true. Goodness, don’t they work hard?!
The tree bones in the woods near our house are much more slender than the mighty western cedars and hemlocks we were used to back on the island. I’ve enjoyed that difference, and the crunch of leaves, as well as the less damp and somewhat drier mustiness of an eastern fall.
As I write this a few fat flakes are starting to fall, and they’ll likely continue to do so with increasing frequency as real winter approaches.
What’s left of the last of the leaves will be buried under deep snow, and any crunching will be of an icy nature. What a wonderful fall it has been, and what a wonderful winter we’re looking forward to! Our woodsy wanderings will continue, slower paced by being on snowshoes or in winter boots through deeper snow. Maybe we’ll speed things up from time to time on xc skis – if we have enough muscle memory to remain balanced enough to get away with it. A winter on skis? It’s been a while…
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
OldPlaidCamper 
I so enjoyed your narrative here, pc, and the wonderful descriptions of your new winter surroundings. I, too, find the bare trees opening up the forest and giving us a more unobstructed view of tree shapes, critters and the sky. It’s lovely. Photos here are beautiful too. Only thing is, your idea of warm as “a few degrees above freezing” differs from mine. ha. I’m happy you’re enjoying your winter days, pc.
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Thanks, Jet! It’s still “warm” this week, and maybe the week after, but after that, it’ll tumble and I’ll stop pretending it’s anything like warm!
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Yup, a good description here of “tree bones” & the opening views of chill November woods! Glad you’ve found some snow to accent your wanderings through this pleasant season. Oddly enough, here in NYS at about 1800 feet above sea-level, we have yet to see an accumulation of the fine white crystals. Lots of folks around here don’t want to see it but, hey, it’s coming sooner or later &, like you, I’m ready for it. Enjoy!
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Thanks, Walt! Yup, it’s not everyone’s idea of fun, but I’m into the snowy season, tree bones and all. Not too sure for upstate NY, but forecasts here are for a relatively mild November, so maybe “real” snow for you come December?
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Like poetry, “leaves will be buried under snow, and any crunching will be of an icy nature.” I like the sun illuminating portions of the woods, too. Enjoy your weekend.
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Thanks, Jane! It’s been icy underfoot most mornings, but no more snow since late last week. Yes, the winter sun through trees is a special sight. I hope your week is off to a good start!
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I’m absolutely enjoying your woodsy wanderings and snow while I continue to live in denial that it’s November and winter is just around the corner. Although, maybe I’ll just continue to hide out in my bubble where it’s always October. Wonderful photos and amazing to see Everton moving up the table as Tottenham goes in the opposite direction. Enjoy the week!🙂
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Thank you! We loved October, and November (often my least favourite month because there’s never “enough” snow) has been good so far – snow or sunshine, both acceptable!
Everton? Dyche has turned them into a team rather than a collection of strangers wearing the same colour shirts! Hope it continues… Yup, Spurs not quite there, but no surprise with a thin squad. The game against Chelsea last week was entertaining enough (and Chelsea/City yesterday was a belter) and I’m completely confident Spurs will finish ahead of Everton in May. Maybe Everton will be second place?! Yeah, right…
Enjoy your week!
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Ooooh, I can’t wait for some xc skiing. Hopefully NW Pennsylvania gets an appreciable amount of accumulation to indulge- sometimes we don’t. But remember, global warming is a liberal conspiracy. 😉
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Hope you get some decent snow, Bob! Just be careful you don’t ski off the edge of the flat earth…
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