The 2nd of the journal prompts I am trying to follow this year is to “write about the place you call home”. Rather than write about a particular city or area or even a dwelling, I am choosing to write about the place I always feel at home…out in nature. Since I have retired at the beginning of this year, I have been making it a priority to get out in nature just about every day because my body and soul needs it – to feel complete, to connect and to recharge.
Only animals have been on this gorgeous winter footpath, before I arrived. This photo and the following three were taken 2 days ago across the river from my abode.This path is well-used.My kind of heaven.Red berries at the edge of the pond.
Just 2 retired gals hanging out in the woods and up to no good, as usual.Toasting our good fortune to be out in nature on such a glorious winter day. Joanne always brings the best hiking…er…snacks. Pretty sure it is illegal to drink in conservation areas. See “up to no good”, above. Hehehehe!Gorgeous bark and mossesLog with fungusJoanne snapping a pic of the pot hole.Hilton Falls – in fine winter form due to the heavy rains we experienced lately.Later on another part of the trail: Joanne spotting another waterfall at the end of the reservoir. Snack break, again. So important, on the trail. 😉
I hope you enjoyed the place I call home. I know I did.
Awesome! In my golf group, we keep Fireball and little plastic shot glasses in our bags so we can celebrate when someone makes a birdie. We call it birdie juice.
You two are adorable! You are so lucky to have that beautiful hiking area so close to home. Living in a city like I do, I’d have to drive a long, long way.
Hi Jean – I took a close-up picture of the sign and it says “the pothole seen here was worn in the bedrock by loose stones being spun around by the force of water flowing over the escarpment at this point”. The time the sign is speaking of is 12,000 – 14,000 years ago. Amazing, eh?
Deb, Your photos could have been taken outside my house today. More rare for us. I agree with you on how our body and soul needs nature. Ultimately, we are part of nature. Nice to see Joanne’s face. I have missed her. That Fireball cracked me up. I am sure I can make room in my daypack for some. That is quite the pothole. I wonder what caused it? BTW, Deb, you can purchase Fireball out West, too. Just sayin’😉💕
Hehehe! Good to know Erica, re: Fireball availability out West and glad you can find room in your daypack for some. I know Joanne will be excited to read this. (Me too!) Please see my response to Jean R’s comment on the origin of the pothole. I explained it there. 💕
I enjoy hiking, waterfalls, snow and fireball whiskey, too. Not necessarily in that order!! What a beautiful location to call home. Love that until your footsteps, there were only the prints of paws in the snow.
I love nature. Walks in our pasture and ravine (what we call a Coulee) just rejuvenate me. Snow seems patchy down East and obviously it’s fairly warm or you wouldn’t be snacking outside! Although that fireball will warm you up!
Hi Tippy! Your name actually came up during our hike. Were your ears ringing? 😉
You may not have noticed, but in the last photo, one of the little containers had Cheez-Its in it. I’d never had them before … or even seen them in a grocery store – until this week. Of course I had to buy a few boxes. They made an EXCELLENT hiking snack, with cheese … and fireball. Happy to have had you join us in spirit on the hike. I think you would have liked it 🙂
I always knew you two had taste, but the fact that you like Cheez-Its confirms it. They do make an excellent hiking snack, and in case you get lost you can leave a trail of them behind you, for Search & Rescue.
Lol, yup. Snow is just down the road from where I live – The Hub and Barbarians are mad keen snowboarders. We get a teeny bit in the hills around us and rarely it snows here. Nothing like you guys get though!
You live in a beautiful area. Your nature photos are lovely and serene. It’s interesting how you interpreted the prompt to mean outdoors. My mind went immediately to inside the house as my home. Thus is the joy in prompts, thinking differently.
Thank you, Ally Bean 💕 Maybe it’s because I’m leaving my house this year…although I love it, I am trying to distance myself as I know it is impermanent and I will be in a new house or apartment as the year goes on. Nature is my constant home and always there for me.
I love our excursions. I never quite know what we’ll get into … although a few ‘props’ help inspire the imagination 😉
As we said at least a million times, we couldn’t have had a better day on the trail. I’m thrilled to be back on my feet again and looking forward to our next adventure!!
Your photos are gorgeous. If you gonna do cold weather, then yes, one may as well make the most of it, get out and enjoy the gorgeous snow. And “snacks” ahaha.
Your wintry scenes brought me such pleasure this morning. The snowy branches, the possibility to be found on lengthy trails, the glorious falls and those lovely smiles. I share your love of nature and ‘finding myself’ walking in (or sailing upon) it. Retirement suits you well.
I love to see you two hanging out together!!! And now, I am going to bring Fireball shots on hikes! LOL. I usually reserve them for the golf course – thanks for the idea! It’s the nectar of the gods. I always say nature is my church – I bought a really great belt buckle with this saying on it – I haven’t worn it in a while, maybe it’s time :-).
Your photos remind me of how much I have been missing my daily outdoor walk on the trails. It has been exceedingly rainy here, and although I sometimes put on my rain gear and go out anyways, sometimes I just don’t. We had a lovely walk in the woods yesterday, though.
Awesome! In my golf group, we keep Fireball and little plastic shot glasses in our bags so we can celebrate when someone makes a birdie. We call it birdie juice.
Birdie juice! I love it 💕. Joanne and I need to come up with a name like that!
I’d suggest Biddie Juice… but you two are definitely not old biddies!
Good one, Janis! 😄
I love the style of your golf group. Kindred spirits 😀
Great photos Deb. That looks like it would be a good place to cross country ski.
Leslie
I think it is, Leslie. Everywhere there were signs cautioning hikers to be courteous and not step in the ski tracks. Thank you 💕
You two are adorable! You are so lucky to have that beautiful hiking area so close to home. Living in a city like I do, I’d have to drive a long, long way.
Thank you Janis 💕 I have to drive 40 minutes and Joanne an hour to “meet in the middle” so to speak, at Hilton Falls. Not bad, really.
What a great area for a winter hike. What is that pot hole? It looks man made but I can’t read the marker near by.
Hi Jean – I took a close-up picture of the sign and it says “the pothole seen here was worn in the bedrock by loose stones being spun around by the force of water flowing over the escarpment at this point”. The time the sign is speaking of is 12,000 – 14,000 years ago. Amazing, eh?
Deb, Your photos could have been taken outside my house today. More rare for us. I agree with you on how our body and soul needs nature. Ultimately, we are part of nature. Nice to see Joanne’s face. I have missed her. That Fireball cracked me up. I am sure I can make room in my daypack for some. That is quite the pothole. I wonder what caused it? BTW, Deb, you can purchase Fireball out West, too. Just sayin’😉💕
Hehehe! Good to know Erica, re: Fireball availability out West and glad you can find room in your daypack for some. I know Joanne will be excited to read this. (Me too!) Please see my response to Jean R’s comment on the origin of the pothole. I explained it there. 💕
Now that’s my kind of hiking. Definitely looking forward to shenanigans this coming summer!
Me too, Donna 💕
I enjoy hiking, waterfalls, snow and fireball whiskey, too. Not necessarily in that order!! What a beautiful location to call home. Love that until your footsteps, there were only the prints of paws in the snow.
Thank you 💕 Yes, I loved being the only human presence since the snow fell on that trail!
I love nature. Walks in our pasture and ravine (what we call a Coulee) just rejuvenate me. Snow seems patchy down East and obviously it’s fairly warm or you wouldn’t be snacking outside! Although that fireball will warm you up!
Yes, it was a gorgeous day – above zero and no wind. Not typical for our winters. And the Fireball chased away the dampness, for sure 😉😁
That pothole looks a little scary. How deep does it go? Are there any bones at the bottom?
Wasn’t very deep, TG – and no bones that I could see. Just rocks and sticks.
Hi Tippy! Your name actually came up during our hike. Were your ears ringing? 😉
You may not have noticed, but in the last photo, one of the little containers had Cheez-Its in it. I’d never had them before … or even seen them in a grocery store – until this week. Of course I had to buy a few boxes. They made an EXCELLENT hiking snack, with cheese … and fireball. Happy to have had you join us in spirit on the hike. I think you would have liked it 🙂
I always knew you two had taste, but the fact that you like Cheez-Its confirms it. They do make an excellent hiking snack, and in case you get lost you can leave a trail of them behind you, for Search & Rescue.
Haha! Joanne was inspired by your love of Cheez-its, for sure! They are very tasty but of course you know that already, TG. 😁
Tippy, I hope we never have to test that suggestion.
First, I don’t do lost. It’s just not going to be pretty … you know … hysterics, crying, panic attacks. Good times. Not.
Secondly, it would be a terrible waste of a good snack.
You’re right. Besides, a bear might follow the trail of Cheezits. Just make sure you never leave home without your compass.
Loved it, Deb. My kinda “home”. I’m even getting used to the occasional bit of bush with snow on it here.
Thanks, AJ 💕 Does your last comment mean it occasionally snows in Australia?
Lol, yup. Snow is just down the road from where I live – The Hub and Barbarians are mad keen snowboarders. We get a teeny bit in the hills around us and rarely it snows here. Nothing like you guys get though!
I’ll have to share photos…
Please do!
What a wonderful outing!
Thank you Michael 😁
You live in a beautiful area. Your nature photos are lovely and serene. It’s interesting how you interpreted the prompt to mean outdoors. My mind went immediately to inside the house as my home. Thus is the joy in prompts, thinking differently.
Thank you, Ally Bean 💕 Maybe it’s because I’m leaving my house this year…although I love it, I am trying to distance myself as I know it is impermanent and I will be in a new house or apartment as the year goes on. Nature is my constant home and always there for me.
So pleased that you and Joanne are getting out to enjoy nature and, um, snacks. Cheers, dears!
Thank you Maggie 💕
I love our excursions. I never quite know what we’ll get into … although a few ‘props’ help inspire the imagination 😉
As we said at least a million times, we couldn’t have had a better day on the trail. I’m thrilled to be back on my feet again and looking forward to our next adventure!!
Me too girlfriend! 💕
Lovely to see you gals out enjoy each other’s company! Cheers!
Thank you Lynn 💕
My kind of snacks!
Mine too, it turns out! 😜
You two!! What a team!
Your photos are gorgeous. If you gonna do cold weather, then yes, one may as well make the most of it, get out and enjoy the gorgeous snow. And “snacks” ahaha.
Peta
Thank you Peta 💕
Nothing wrong with a little liquid refreshment on the trail…after all, you gotta stay hydrated right?
How right you are, Norm 💕 That’s our story and we’re sticking to it.
Your wintry scenes brought me such pleasure this morning. The snowy branches, the possibility to be found on lengthy trails, the glorious falls and those lovely smiles. I share your love of nature and ‘finding myself’ walking in (or sailing upon) it. Retirement suits you well.
Thank you Lisa 💕 As far as retirement goes, I feel like I’ve come “home” at last.
I love to see you two hanging out together!!! And now, I am going to bring Fireball shots on hikes! LOL. I usually reserve them for the golf course – thanks for the idea! It’s the nectar of the gods. I always say nature is my church – I bought a really great belt buckle with this saying on it – I haven’t worn it in a while, maybe it’s time :-).
I’ve often said that about nature too, Pam! Thanks 💕
The place you call home is breathtaking, Widow.
Thank you Hook 💕
Beautiful snow and scenery … thank you for sharing your slice of the world which cools me down significantly just vicariously walking through you!
I love how you & Joanne roll … best kind of snacks!
Thank you 💕 I feel the same way about your blog – nice to go there for a tropical fix, especially in the dead of our winter!
One of the best things about our Community – allows us into so many different worlds
Your photos remind me of how much I have been missing my daily outdoor walk on the trails. It has been exceedingly rainy here, and although I sometimes put on my rain gear and go out anyways, sometimes I just don’t. We had a lovely walk in the woods yesterday, though.
Jude
Good to hear, Jude. I do love walking in the rain, thankfully – considering where I am moving to 😁