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

Winter is Made for Hiking

A beautiful weekend in the Buffalo River country, and I took advantage of it. Good friends Jim and Kelly Edmistan and our kids joined me on a couple of hikes into different side canyons of Cecil Cove, a major feeder creek into the Buffalo River. On saturday, we enjoyed Broadwater Hollow and Mud Cave about a 4 mile walk that visited a caver's campsite where folks have constructed rock chairs around a fire ring. These things are works of art, they look like something out of The Lord of the Rings movies, and I got a lot of pictures of us all sitting in them acting like kings of the rock chair council. Unfortunately, I forgot to put an SD card in my camera, and all of the pictures from that day's hike were lost.  We also visited the entrance to Mud cave, one of the many caves in Cecil Hollow. It would be very easy to scramble down into the cave and do some exploring, however, all caves in the National Park are closed, due to a issue with the Indiana Bat populations hibernating inside of them. Still, a cool place to visit. and it was a good turnaround spot for us. On Sunday, we hiked into the upper slot canyon of Thunder Canyon Falls. There were 10 of us from 3 differant families, which was kinda neat. A great time was had by all, and we became aquainted with Matt Nelson, his wife Rhonda, and their 2 girls. Great people, and we enjoyed their company. On Saturday night, I took  a walk around in the woods and fields while keeping the house in sight, led by the light of the close to full moon, just soaking it all up. A beautiful time to be outside. I also took some really cool pictures of the house and trees that I will share. Hopefully, the river will hold enough water to get out this next weekend and do some camping, cross my fingers.     Love and Happiness to all, The Hollohead

Brutal Cold Brings Trouble to Paradise

Dang, things are not going so well with this blast of cold temps. First off, our heater is not working right, and has been steadily falling since last night to a cool 61 deg. in the house. Secondly, I forgot that a small portion of our main water line had not been buried, and now we have no water. Pretty dumb on my part, and not sure what problems we will experiance because of this oversight. I know this, you better be properly bundled to go out, because it is as bitter cold as I have ever felt, and it doesn't take long to start having problems with exposed skin. It was -4 deg. this morning, and has only warmed up to -2 deg. , holy cow that's cold. Hopefully the cabins have not had any problems with frozen water lines, and I need to go check on them today. I am growing tired of all this, and am ready to be able to work outside in more normal conditions. I am currently working on a new exercise trail, and I have several projects that need to get done, starting with Matt's treehouse and our front entry porch. But, it's looking like a long and brutal winter, and we have a ways to go. Today is just one of those days when nothing goes right, whatever it is that I need to work, won't, whatever it is that I need to do, I can't. Oh well, some times all that we are left with is just to appreciate being alive and well. And since all of my efforts are being defeated, we have no water, and no prospects for getting some anytime soon. Wish me luck. Love to all, The Hollowhead

Jones Family Christmas Hike

On top of the world

I love this little spring

My favorite time of day

Mac's 1st hike with the Jones clan

Outside looking in

Time for a hike

The outside fireplace

Brother Ken

My man Matt in his element

Pink and black

What would we do without this little guy

The young adults

The deck at dusk

The day after Christmas, the remaining crew all got together for a picnic in Broadwater Hollow, a special little gorge that we run in our kayaks when there is more water. About 3 miles from our house, this is the perfect place to come when there is not a lot of time. Everyone really enjoyed this little outing, we we could all get together more like this.

Rachel the explorer