Thursday Hikers

We had a really good time braving the cold weather (5 degrees to start, 20 degrees later) at the Rivulet Trail at William Cullen Bryant Estate* today. It’s one of our “go to ” trails. The conditions were solidly frozen crusty snow with about an 18″ base. Some chose snow shoes, I went with my newly purchased Microspikes and was very very pleased with them except once when I sank up to my knee (way off trail) which would not have happened with snow shoes. The trail had been used by a few other hikers, but their tracks fazed out and we actually found ourselves lost! It was a rather spectacular and fun moment as we branched out and waited to see who might get us back on track. I hate to say it, but we just ended finding and retracing our tracks going in. All 3 dogs were with us today. They picked up a lot of scent trails and also romped and played “keep away” with sticks they’d find. Even Baxter is beginning to play a bit but he remains our serious and intellectual canine partner.Then off to the warmth (!!!) of The Creamery for lunch. I had the “Hit the Road” sandwich (avocado, spinach, provolone, portobello mushroom on toasted Ciabatta) but soup was a big favorite today. And water all around! * It was too cold to get out the camera, so the photo below isn’t from today’s hike, rather one from NotchView. Looks about the same. I needed to buy kindling etc at Agway today but they are our of kindling, ice melt, hand warmers, wood pellets etc. The cold continues for all of us, and for you too, I know. I wish you Warmth! Penny