Saturday Stories. #5 Snowshoe Hike Part 2.

It is a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning here. Yesterday was Groundhog Day, as you know, well, perhaps some of you do not know that. I think that is more of a North American thing, but it is very popular. February 2nd is the day that groundhogs everywhere pop out of their little dens and predict how much longer winter will last. 

Actually, up this way smart groundhogs remain in their dens this time of year because it is usually way too cold and way too much snow around to venture outside to give a weather prediction. If the groundhog sees its shadow it means 6 more weeks of winter, if it does not see its shadow, then it will be an early spring. Either way it means an early spring for us here in the north, so we cannot lose. I like that. 

So, Muffin decided to join in on the fun several years ago and she saw her shadow, which means 6 more weeks of winter, which takes us to mid March. For us that would be considered a very early spring, so I hope Muffin is right. We had a big celebration after her prediction. 

Now, we should get back to our story from last week, which you have probably forgotten about already, but if you want to read part 1, just click on the word Snowshoe. So, we are in the house eating our lunch and although it is a fairly cold day and all the windows are broken in this place, it still feels much warmer in here than it does outside. 

There are only 3 windows in the house and none are very big anyway so that is actually a bonus for keeping it warmer inside. The sun is presently shining through one of the kitchen windows and right on the table where we are eating. I could just imagine what it must have been like when this place was new and people were living here with the sun shining on the table while people were eating. Krissy was thinking the same thing. 

Suddenly a Canada Jay landing on the window frame looking at us, so Krissy gave it a piece of her sandwich. He flew away chirping “thanks” as he went. Then a second one did the same and I shared my sandwich with this one. They each made 4 trips and then disappeared into the forest. Well, it was time to head back. We put our snowshoes back on and away we went. 

It was much easier, and faster, going back since we had a trail already. We did stay much longer than we had planned though so it was already getting dark as we passed the half way point. I would like to come back in the spring and look around a bit better though. We heard a couple of wolves howling in the distance. ”I am glad they are not close,” said Krissy. ”It would be nice to see them,” I said. 

“NO,” is all she said in return. ”No sense of adventure,” I said. ”What about in the cabin?” she asked, “That was adventure.” ”That was more like dangerous,” I said. She giggled. ”I want to go first for a while,” she said. So I said she could, but as she tried to pass me she tripped herself and fell into the deep snow. However, she grabbed my arm as she fell, pulling me down into the deep snow too. 

I brushed the snow off her face. ”You are supposed to hold me so I do not fall,” she said. ”You pulled to hard,” I replied. ”You are lying on top of me,” she said, “are you going to move?” ”Actually I am quite comfortable,” I said. The snow was quite deep at that spot so it took a bit to get us both standing up once again. 

It was completely dark by the time we got back to the car, but it was nearly a full moon so it was amazingly light with all that snow around. We were a bit late getting back home but her parents were not concerned at all. That is the end of that story, nothing much exciting happened really, but it was still a wonderful day. 

Well, the sun is still shining here and it is supposed to get quite mild today once again, which is certainly nice. Just using some winter pics for you to enjoy today. Have a great weekend everyone and God bless! 

Steve and Muffin. 

©2024 Steve McLeod.