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Warm winter hike

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red berry44
Red berry
This 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.

 

flowing stream
Rushing (not-frozen) December water
Minnesota 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.

mossy stream path
Streamside moss
However, 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 roots.jpg
Mossy roots
I know the kids wanted snow, but I must admit, today’s hike made me grateful for the rain.

rock and rhododendron
Moss, stone, and rhododendron
trunk with ferns
ferns
mossy stump

moss lichen rock
Lichen and moss

stairs and stream
Stairs and stream

water falling
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.

10 thoughts on “Warm winter hike”

  1. 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.

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  2. “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.

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  6. 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

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