Let the snow begin!

Leetonia Road today

Although winter does not officially begin until December 21st, snow has fallen in Tioga Forest and has decorated the forest with a nice white gown. It is interesting how every year the first significant snow fall is always so pretty. By the end of February, the comments about snow will turn to dismay as people will start being tired of the white somewhat colorless winter and start wishing for the end of the winter white. Last year we seemed to skip winter and not much snowmobiling or other winter sports were possible. This could be why last night I saw a snowmobile running across Ridge Rd on the tiny 2 to 3 inches of snow we have gotten. One good bit of news for those of you who like to visit Leetonia in a car, the township is plowing the road from Parker Hollow to just past the Pioneer Camp. For some reason they decided to turn around at Melvin's driveway and not do the last 300 yds to Painter Leetonia Rd. They are doing this because of someone living full time across from Mick's old place. This is good news for me as it means I can get up and do some skiing or hiking this winter. 

This coming week has promised to start giving us some of the cold temperatures we usually get earlier. By the middle of the week we will see single digits. So if you go out dress warm.

I never like leaving my home in the woods even though I live a short distance away my city home lacks the quiet and solitude of the woods. This time as I was leaving I noticed a UPS sticker on my old UPS collection box I built at Parker Hollow. UPS will not deliver back in the woods. At first I thought someone used my old address and I might find frozen fruit. But when I looked inside it was a flat envelope addressed to 5990 Leetonia Rd., This is a camp as you head South on Leetonia Rd is right before you get to the pipeline on the left. I am not sure who owns this camp, but no one is there right now. If you know tell them their envelope is in the big green box at Parker Hollow. Mountain girl, Paula, back to work and missing Leetonia.

The Never Ending Winter

Snowmobiles finding plowed road

Multiple snowmobile turn arounds

last of front porch wood

Well today is the last of February and the wood on the front porch has made it through the cold weather as Lee predicated. We still have wood on the back porch for what should be the down side of winter the next few months. Although, the official end of Winter is March 21st the end of using firewood often does not come until May. We have had many below zero temperatures this winter and are hoping this morning's -12 is the last of them. Unlike the winter of 2012 when winter never showed this winter and last has had cold temperatures driving the depth of frost deep.  Last year there was still ice on the ground in April and I had a hard time getting water to start in two of the camps I take care of. This year is more of the same. We are very much hoping for the above freezing temperatures promised for next week although that will lead to the dreaded melting March combo's of mud, ice, rain, snow and whatever mother nature can think of.

For those of you thinking of driving your regular vehicle through the State Forest I would advise against it for now. No one will pull you out and it will be April before the road is plowed again. When the weather gets above freezing the nice packed snow you might have driven on will become a deep wet snow trap. One winter Lee and I spent 4 hours making the trip from Cedar Run up to the house and I walked the last 3 miles to get the snowmobile so I could pick up the groceries and Lee. Once the road refroze over night driving out again became possible. Best to wait a couple months, or plan on skiing, hiking, or snowmobling into camp for now.

We have more snow in the forecast for Sunday then a nice warm up next week.  Today we are enjoying the comfort of a good fire listening to the snow come off the roof and the snowmobilers turning around at the sight of plowed road from our house up. Enjoy the weekend in the woods safely. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Falling into Winter

Yesterday it was a nice 45 degree fall day, but half way through the day the wind picked up and the temperature dropped quickly. Snow fell with the temperatures overnight and I awoke to 11 degrees outside and 52 degrees inside. Thanks to Lee starting the wood this morning it was into the 60's inside before I bundled up to eat breakfast. The high winds continued most of the day making it hard to play catch up with the cold. This was the kind of day you stayed close to the fire and were thankful for all the wood stacked under the porch close to the house.

When you have central heat and a thermostat it is easy to forget what it is like to try and keep a house warm with a wood burner alone. A slight drop in temperature and your furnace responds by kicking up a flame and blowing heat around the house. In our house going to bed means letting the temperature drop as the wood in the fireplace burns slowly out and awaking to a very chilly home. Lee seems to thrive in the cold weather, but I have to admit that the temperatures much below 60 in the house don't thrill me and I do everything possible to avoid being the first one up. 

The high today struggled to get into the 20's outside with about the same amount of wind speed. Speck and I stayed as close to the fire as possible completing a project for decorating a Christmas tree around the court house in Coudersport.  Coudersport does this Holiday tree event every year and a family or organization can pay $18 to decorate a tree around the courthouse area. They are judged in catagories and a $20 prize is awarded to the tree in each catagory deemed the best. Obviously, winning isn't about the huge monetary prize. It is a wonderful way for the chamber to raise money and make the downtown area a little brighter for the holidays. I have to admit I was glad to have something to do inside and be next to the comfort of the fire. However, now that the decorations are made I will have to put them on the tree outside next week. The good news is the temperatures are not supposed to be as cold as today. They will be in the thirties next week making the decorating a bit easier. The winds will slow down a bit as well.

The bear hunters were out in full force Saturday at least until the temperatures started dropping. I saw a few cars today but not quite as many as Saturday. The snow on the ground this morning and the cold temperatures remind us we are just starting the cold winter months and have a long way to go until the ground once again warms up and the trees start to bud. I think the bears have it right by hibernating through the worst of winter. As I snuggle up in a blanket in front of the fire with a warm cup a tea, hibernation sounds so good. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Cushman View Walk

Pipeline

Mouse tracks

 Yesterday, I walked to Cushman view and back a little over a 7 mile walk. I cut across on the pipeline to the road going to Cushman view. On it I noticed quite a few coyote tracks a few deer tracks, and several mouse tracks.
The mice are funny in the snow leaving these tiny trails and prints sometimes going under the snow to avoid becoming dinner. It is amazing to me how they survive the winter mostly unseen to the people who come up snowmobiling running quickly by any tracks.
I took a picture of the coyote tracks but for some reason they didn't show up in the snow too well, so you got the tracks even rarer to find up here in the winter...human tracks...which of course were made by me.
Leo had to stay home as the weather was a bit too harsh for him to make this long of a walk. There was a 12 mph wind that gusted higher at times making it sound like a large wave coming through the woods. Most of the time it is very quiet in the winter...there are only a few crows making any kind of noise as most the other animals save their energy for finding food and keeping from becoming food.
Once I got up to Cushman the sun was shining bright. It was a little past noon and the side of the

Homosapien tracks

hill was completely melted in the warm sun. I sat down against it and leaned back closing my eyes the sun felt warm even in 11 degrees. No wonder you can find many deer and turkey on the south side of hills taking advantage of any warmth they can.

You can see through the trees on the mountain this time of year to the snow on the ground. The entire
 area seems so different so transparent and light.

Road to Cushman

once the leaves are on the trees it becomes very dark and your ability to see through the trees stops.

On my way back I noticed logging trucks coming down the road to harvest the trees in the State Forest on the other side of my property. The logging road they follow goes around two sides of my property and they are logging right to the edge of it. They are taking out pulp wood so keep an eye open for them if you come in the road. It can be quit a surprise to meet a fully loaded truck on these narrow roads in the winter. According to the Forester they will be logging until April.

I am thinking about a big walk for Sunday around 

Cushman view

our block, which is about 12 miles. A lot depends on how much snow we get in next couple days, since much of the distance will be on unplowed roads. Walking in deep snow with heavy boots is nothing like walking in tennis shoes on dry roads in the summer. Every step takes a big effort and the going can be very slow if the snow is deep. So if it is more than a couple inches my plans may change. The walk should take about 6 hours so a packed lunch will also be involved.

This time of year you either embrace the weather and play in it or hibernate for the winter. Since hibernation has such bad effects on my weight and health, I must choose to embrace it. Besides who

Logging Truck

knows what I will see along the way. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Logging truck coming out of logging road

Weekend Winter

Well, winter has reappeared for the weekend. I woke up to a cold 15 degrees, normal for this time of year, but after being spoiled with above freezing temperatures it felt cold.
It has snow about 2 inches since yesterday, which I am sure, brings our total snow to less than a foot for the year. We have had a couple 1 inch snows, one 5 inch, and this one. It is rare that I can even remember the amounts and number of snows.
Tomorrow it will be back above freezing, so I don't expect the snow to be much of a problem. In fact, it helps cover some of the slippery ice spots and when it melts a little makes them rougher so they aren't a problem. You should always have a set of chains in your vehicle when coming up on forest roads before May. Also, a good pair of boots with ice cleats, and heavy snow clothes. Once you enter the forest you must rely on yourself to survive and get out if you have an accident or your car breaks down. No one will be coming down the road anytime soon. And like I said in earlier blogs, let someone know your route and your schedule. This is a big woods and it makes looking for you much easier if the rescuers have a general idea where to start. Well, I am staying inside today and enjoying the white from a warm fire. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Winter still missing?

There are still patches of ice on forest roads so chains are a must if you come back. However, winter seems to have missed us or been put on delay. Temperatures have been above freezing everyday.
I have seen quite a few deer moving around lately. I am sure they are happy for the warm weather too. Also Elk have been spotted on Sliders and out towards Parker Hollow. I have yet to see one myself, but am keeping an eye out.
I took today off to get work at home done since Lee is again gone helping her sister in Wisconsin.
I also took some time to walk through the woods. When I used to visit and not live here, I practically lived outside during the day. Now that I live and WORK here it is easy to go a long time without enjoying the very place I love.
The dogs enjoyed the walk and if I didn't know better I would have thought it was Spring. There was only small patches of snow and mostly mud to walk through. The birds were out singing like they were on Spring break. Usually, in the winter it is quiet and cold. The animals slow down to reserve energy and there is a feeling of hibernation in the air. Bears have also been spotted out and about. So I enjoyed February 3rd...alone in the woods...breathing a breathe of fresh air. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Cold and Snow

This morning it was 56 degrees, not outside, inside. The temperature outside was a brisk 17 degrees warmer than the last couple days which have been at single digits. It seems we have gone from Indian Summer days of 60 to Artic Cold overnight. The dogs, especially Leo, are quick to wake us up to put more wood in the fire. We got about an inch or two of snow last night giving us a very wintery look.


Lee isn't going to be able to pull the trailer with the lawn tractor as it will slip, so she is stuck splitting the wood and leaving it in a pile where it is at. It always seems like winter is quick to come and slow to leave. I will have to admit I am a little shaky driving since the accident and the truck always slips a little in the snow even in 4-wheel drive. This has never bothered me before, but I have found my heart in my throat a couple times and the roads aren't that bad. I hope this uneasiness fades from my memory quickly.

Normally this time of year is a time to slow down and take a breath from the fast paced summer. This is not the case for me this year as I must make up for having the summer off. Although, I am not working up to full speed yet, I am doing about 75%, which isn't too bad after 5 months. I think of how many people pulled together to help us this summer and I am truly grateful. I know it is the way of the Valley to be so supportive of each other. Something the rest of the country may be learning as we move into harder times. This Thanksgiving I have much to be thankful for. Just the fact I am here and doing well is more than enough. But the most important thing I am thankful for this year is all of you out there who have shown your love and caring for both Lee and I during my accident and recovery. It is something this mountain girl will never forget. Mountain girl, Paula, logging off.