Red berryThis year for Christmas, we got rain instead of snow. This is our fourth winter here in Blacksburg, and we’re still holding out for a white Christmas.
Rushing (not-frozen) December waterMinnesota delivered snow for Christmas each year, knee deep to children, and every year since we moved away, the kids cross their fingers. Snow at Christmas is magic. So far, it has not happened for us in Virginia.
Streamside mossHowever, after warm heavy rains on Christmas, the sun came out today. We took advantage of the beautiful weather to go for a hike, and we were rewarded with emerald mosses.
Mossy rootsI know the kids wanted snow, but I must admit, today’s hike made me grateful for the rain.
Moss, stone, and rhododendron
trunk with ferns
ferns
mossy stump
Lichen and moss Stairs and stream Cascades waterfall
Streamside stairs
Cascades waterfall
Downstream from the falls
Next weekend it will be cold. Temperatures will turn water to ice. Maybe we’ll hike the Cascades again. Maybe next weekend we’ll find diamonds instead of emeralds.
Beautiful pictures…indeed the climate change is evident across continents. I live in Bangalore, India and though it doesn’t snow in this part of the country ever, it is supposed to be really cold this time of the year. But this year, it is still warm…even hot in the afternoons. On one hand where it makes you wonder what really is wrong with the world, on the other hand pleasant weather makes you feel grateful for everything. Cheers.
Same here, and I live in Singapore. My household is sleeping with the air con on during December.
“Stairs and Stream” is my favorite of these. What an enjoyable way to spend the day!
It’s been unseasonably warm here in North Carolina, too; according to the weather people, it’s going to stay warm until the end of this week. Even then, it’s going to be about ten degrees above normal. Living on the coast, snow is rare; this year, more so.
Beautiful photos!
I like the stairs carved from the stone. The mosses look gorgeous! Kind of brings to mind the thawing of frozen Narnia in C.S Lewis’ book 😀
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing, and Happy New Year!
What a beautiful set of photos of what likes like a wonderful walk. Ice in these falls would be magical! It’s been too warm in Scotland for snow too…until a few days ago
Lovely photos!
A very beautiful place for a hike. I enjoyed looking at your photographs
your photos are breathtaking. you have a such a gift!
Butterfly Mind 
10 responses to “Warm winter hike”
Beautiful pictures…indeed the climate change is evident across continents. I live in Bangalore, India and though it doesn’t snow in this part of the country ever, it is supposed to be really cold this time of the year. But this year, it is still warm…even hot in the afternoons. On one hand where it makes you wonder what really is wrong with the world, on the other hand pleasant weather makes you feel grateful for everything. Cheers.
Same here, and I live in Singapore. My household is sleeping with the air con on during December.
“Stairs and Stream” is my favorite of these. What an enjoyable way to spend the day!
It’s been unseasonably warm here in North Carolina, too; according to the weather people, it’s going to stay warm until the end of this week. Even then, it’s going to be about ten degrees above normal. Living on the coast, snow is rare; this year, more so.
Beautiful photos!
I like the stairs carved from the stone. The mosses look gorgeous! Kind of brings to mind the thawing of frozen Narnia in C.S Lewis’ book 😀
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing, and Happy New Year!
What a beautiful set of photos of what likes like a wonderful walk. Ice in these falls would be magical! It’s been too warm in Scotland for snow too…until a few days ago
Lovely photos!
A very beautiful place for a hike. I enjoyed looking at your photographs
your photos are breathtaking. you have a such a gift!