Snowbird in Winter

It was a blustery night last night, but the morning dawned beautifully. As is our custom, we walked out to Sunrise Point before breakfast:



as you can see, there's a bit of snow on the deck!

I'm enjoying the lines....


In Spring and Summer, this is an inviting bench, but now I'd just as soon photograph it and head on back down the trail to breakfast:


One picture of the view from the point:

As we walked along the trail toward the lodge (and breakfast), I had to stop and take a picture of my favorite rusty angels. They always look so happy and add a bright spot to my day:

After breakfast we took a ride up the Cherohala Skyway to see if we could find what we had initially supposed was hoarfrost when we spied from the deck of the lodge. Here it is:

As it turned out, this part of the Skyway had actually suffered an icestorm. It was very magical and also quite cold. and then my camera batteries died!

new batteries installed after a stop at the lodge:

After the drive we were ready for a walk through our beloved "Joyce Kilmer"

It was so lovely and still. We came upon three hikers and their dogs. They had left their packs at the bottom of the trail, so we were relieved to find them and know that the pack owners were ok.

I loved this small worn spot in a big old rock: filled with rainwater that had frozen and
crystallized:

We walked Stewart's Ridge Road this afternoon. I recall the spots where so many of my Spring wildflowers will be blooming when we are here again next April. They are now all nestled in their beds for a cold winter's nap. Here's the view up ahead as we are walking the old road. I love the silvery grey trees:

As I sit here blogging, this is the view off of our patio:

PEACE ON EARTH,

GOOD WILL TO ALL