On New Year's Eve a thick, soft snow began to fall. It continued through the night, and we woke the next morning to a bright beautiful world of clean-scrubbed air and sparkling blue-and-white skies:
I thought winter had settled in for good, but by the end of the week the mercury was rising. The first Saturday of the year dawned warm and clear, with a forecast of temps in the mid-40s, and enough sun to melt much of the snow off the roads.
Who could resist such a temptation? Not I.
Nothing puts a smile on my face like an unexpected January ride. :) It was such a treat to see open water:
And my own snowy shadow racing by my side:
To visit my favourite larches:
And hear Tallulah hollering "January ride! Woo hoo!"
We were surprised to see a woolly bear crossing the road (we though they'd all be hibernating by now). I stopped for a photo, and asked Tallulah if she'd like to climb down and say hello. "No thank you," she replied. "The last time I made friends with a woolly bear it nearly broke my heart. I think I'll stay in my basket."
So I snapped a photo or two, then climbed back into the saddle for a last few happy miles.
Alas, this halcyon weather didn't last. Rain began falling the next day, turning the world sodden and grey, and last night the mercury dropped sharply, driven downwards by an icy northwest wind. Winter is back.
How's 2019 treating you so far?
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