Will The Winter Ever End?

I don't know if I have ever needed to put a paddle in the water more than now. 

Matt and the Mahoneys

The entertainer

Beech trees are so cool

The new addition

A boy and his dog

The tourist Swan

Our field 

Are you my mommy?

Counting Down the Days to Spring

I'm hoping this will be the last post about this years hard winter, but you never know, this is the time of the year when we usually get our snow. Last year it snowed in May! I thought I would post my pics from my last hike in the Gorge, which was wonderful. Right now, the ice and snow has all melted and brought the creek back up, man I love to hear that sound when I step out my door. But we sure do need some rain to get the river where we can put a boat on it, cause I'm jonesing for some river time. I'm ready for company up on the mountain, and camping on the river, so anyone who wants to get out, let's do it. Meanwhile, I'm getting ready to do some more trail work and start on Matt's treehouse, which should be a great father-son project. Matt's getting a little spoiled, so I need to toughen him up. As always, love to all, and have an awesome day, The Hollohead

Our house in the Gorge

11 Days of Snow

OK now, we have had a full cover of snow in the Gorge for 11 straight days, making the place have a feel like some Colorado mountain resort, which would be cool if we had a bunny slope. But, there are several problems that go along with this, starting with Matt missing so much school. Other issues involve having to boil all water to be drank, or just buying bottled water, and including missed sales at the store. I always have enjoyed the winter, but I admit I am growing tired of it this year. I have never seen snow stay on the ground this long and not do any significant melting, our snowpack has even grown deeper in the past 11

Winter's artistry

The Three Mushroom Rocks

Ice Flow

Frozen Spring

Beech Tree Roots

Momma Mushroom

Adventure Time

Mother Nature's Details

Curved Cap

More Details

Out of the Tunnel of Doom

The Buffalo at Ponca

Best Buds

days! But I get out everyday for a hike of some kind, and yesterday I went into the Gorge and followed the base of the bluffline on the north side of the canyon looking for caves and rock shelters. I have been told that there were some indian camps in bluff shelters in the gorge, but I have not yet found them. There were however some awesome icefalls, and I tried to get some good pics, but I admit that I am tiring of snow pictures. I need to take a road trip into Boxley Valley for some different subjects. It was nice enough outside last night to  enjoy a fire in the outside fireplace, and for me, that means little or no wind. And, it looks like we will finally get our warmup this week!, bring it on! Hopefully the snowmelt will put some water into the creeks, and we will get some rain, I am so ready for a river trip. Meantime, it's past time to get some projects going at the house, and it's just difficult to get anything done with a 5" snowpack. Matt and I have an appointment with a treehouse, and I am ready to get busy on it. Have an awesome day, The Hollohead

Some artifacts I found on a recent walk around the  house

Dog Days of Winter

It's been a  pretty laid back couple of weeks, theres just not a lot going on besides work, and staying out of the wind. These are the dog days of winter, and I'm trying to find my groove again after being out of sorts for quite some time. Robyn, Matt, and I went on a nice hike on the Buffalo river trail between Boxley and  Ponca Sunday, it was a beautiful day, but on a section of trail that didn't have a wow factor. Great walking, and we saw more folks than I would have thought,  but pretty sedate by our standards. That's OK, because I have a couple of hikes planned soon that will challenge me plenty, Indian Creek and Fish Trap Hollow. These will be all day affairs, and will not be for those without a good set of legs. I tried having an outside fire last night, believing that the wind would not be a factor, but was mostly disappointed, the western wind would just not let up. But, I did get in some neat pics of the late arriving waning moon through the trees, and an awesome soak in the hot tub.  Today is going to be an even prettier day than yesterday, and I am hoping to get a lot done on my exercise trail through the woods. Whatever I do, it's going to be spent outside, and maybe I'll have time to slip into the Gorge and do some work on the trail down there. It feels good getting back to work in the store, somehow it makes me feel better about enjoying my working passions out here on the mountain. I'm wishing a great week for all of you, and don't let the returning cold temps get you down, it will be spring soon enough.   Love to all, The Hollowhead

Beech trees are one of my favorites

My fellow explorers

I wish I had beeches on my properties

Giant Sister Beeches

Mick Jagger Beech

Midnight on the Mountain

Working on my night Photos

One  of the  Small Creeks we Crossed