March Chill!

I'm trying to convince myself this March is normal for us, but it's sure felt cold!  The Robin's returned to our yard on the fourth & the fox came through that same day.  All of last week hosted a string of gray days.  To go along with the cold, we've had a couple wet snowstorms.  The one on the ninth was beautiful, if heavy.

3-9-2023 Wonderland of white~

Mari Jo & I were watching the weather & had decided on today for a walk on the trail.  The original forecast was for about 50 degrees, sunshine & wind.    Well...  It wasn't!  We saw the sun for about 3-minutes early this morning & temperatures in the low 20's. 

Does it look cold?

 By the time I'd made the drive to Happy Trails, it was 28 degrees with a blowing wind & a chill factor of 21.  The sky was the same slate gray, it's been most of the week.  We had rain yesterday morning, turning to snow/slush around noon.  It left about an 1" on the front walk - heavy & full of moisture.  It was even too wet to stick to the trees.

North from Silver City~

Not to be deterred, we were both dressed in layers.  I had two-layers of polar fleece under my Carhart jacket.  We both had our hoods up!  Mari Jo was correct though, once we were a way up the trail, the hills & trees cut the wind somewhat. 

Coon tracks in the frozen slush~

Once we were on the limestone, Racoon prints were everywhere.  It was very difficult without Nika.  I knew it would be.  I'd been putting off a first walk without her - for over a week.  The hand that held her leash felt so empty...  Since it's now too wet to walk the woods at home, it was time I got out.

Snow covered limestone ahead~

No one but the two of us were walking the trail this day...  We walked fast & Gracie was limited on her stops to sniff!  

The road home~

I enjoyed the walk & the drive too.  The Countryside still looks like winter - as does the sky.  I'm no fan of the time change either...  Every year we're promised will be the last & every year it's extended again.  This same date in 2021, my tulips were already over 6" tall!