Saturday Stories. 25-03

Hello everyone! It is cloudy again today and snowing lightly, just like yesterday. It is mild though with a temperature of 19F (-7C). But with a northwest wind having begun, the temperature is supposed to drop throughout the day to about 7F (-14C), colder with that windchill factored in. There was a day, years ago, that was much like today, just some light snow which was to change to flurries that morning.

And it was mild, though not quite as mild as today. But there was no wind, and that is always a plus. So, I took my snowshoes and went out for a walk. Well, I first drove to the spot, then strapped on the snowshoes and off I went. It was a very nice day really, although that light snow persisted and did not change to flurries. But I continued on to a small lake.

Since I don’t have pictures of that day talked about, I will share some winter pictures of the path to the river. A continuation of the pictures from last week.

The snow had nearly stopped by the time I arrived at the lake, so that was nice. There was a small island on the lake so I decided to walk across the ice and visit this little island. Then I spotted a wolf walking across to the island from a different direction. That made me change my plans and I decided to walk along the lakeshore, going in the opposite direction of the wolf.

I kept my eyes open all around me since there were likely other wolves in the area as well. They would likely stay away from me, but I have had other encounters with wolves who have followed me quite closely. I ended up going over this large outcrop of granite that sloped, rather steeply, toward the lake. Everything was fine until I heard a “cracking” in the trees to my right.

I turned to look and lost my footing which caused me to slide down toward the lake. I then fell and began to roll down the hill, finally landing on the ice. My one shoulder was hurt in the rolling downhill, but not too badly. The noise I heard was just some snow falling from one of the trees. Sigh. I then saw another wolf walking across the ice to that island, then 2 more followed shortly after.

That was actually nice to see, it was just too bad I didn’t have a camera in those days. I then decided to walk up to the top of this hill where I could see all over the lake, then I would stop and have something to eat. It was a bit of a struggle getting up that hill, but I made it. My sore shoulder was now officially very painful.

It was nice on top of that little hill, however, allowing me to see all over that lake. The wolves were gone from sight now, they must have continued across the ice to the other side of the lake. That’s fine with me, at least we are going in different directions. While I was sitting on a rock, enjoying my lunch which was 2 sandwiches and nice hot coffee. I also had some cookies with me.

While I was eating it began to snow again. Quite heavily too. This was not just a flurry. Just while I ate there was an extra 2 inches (5cm) of new snow. I decided it would be best to head back to the car. Although the new snow won’t make a difference to my snowshoeing, it could make a difference to my car getting back to the highway.

Rather strange they didn’t mention all this snow in the forecast this morning. Going down this one small hill, which was rather steep, my one snowshoe got caught on a buried branch, sending me forward and landing face down in the snow. That snow was about 3 feet (nearly one meter) deep and that snowshoe was stuck on that branch.

Turning over was not that easy, but I finally did it. I then pulled myself up and unstrapped my foot from the snowshoe. Now I twisted my ankle and made my shoulder even worse and hurt my upper back too. That will teach me for trying to rush. Now I have to walk even slower than normal. Had I walked at a normal pace I would have made it back to the car quicker than I did. Oh well.

It continued snowing heavily and there was 6 inches (15cm) of new snow by the time I arrived at my car. That was okay. I drove out of there easily enough. It was just an old access road that didn’t get plowed unless it was needed for some reason. People drove on it anyway, so I wasn’t the first, except for being first in that new snow.

I stopped at my favorite little restaurant and Krissy just shook her head as I told her about my snowshoe trek. “I should slap you for not telling anyone where you were,” she said. Her mom suggested she should massage my back and shoulders for a while instead. She sighed, but smiled and consented to do it.

Finally arriving at the river.

The snow stopped shortly after arriving at the restaurant, so that was nice too, I still had a long drive home. Well, the snow seems to have stopped here as well. The temperature has fallen to 8F (-13C) and it is very windy. It is now time for lunch. Muffin is enjoying her noon nap. Have a great weekend everyone and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

©2025 Steve McLeod.