Snowshoeing with the dogs

We got 9 inches of snow and some ice on Thursday. Then 2 more on Friday and 3 last night. The plow piles are high and the dogs are feeling hemmed in.

I lashed on my snow shoes and took them for a walk in the woods.
I started in the back yard. This is a picture looking back towards the house.


I think there was about a 24" base with a thin crust of icy snow.
This is my pole pushed through the snow with the icy layer holding the imprint of the snow basket.


The dogs are smart. They allowed me to break trail and stayed in my path right behind me. Stepped on the ends of my snowshoes and almost tripped me a few times. I took this over my shoulder.


Once in the woods the snow is less deep and the dogs go exploring.
Especially if there is something good to sniff.



In the woods


We climb a steep hill and then head back in looping around towards the front.

This is the trail as it starts it descent.


We pop out at the bottom of the pond in the front yard.


I had a bad fall as I approached home. A BIRD tripped me.


That is a bird feeder shepherds crook that was hidden in a plow pile I was climbing down. My snow shoe got stuck on the bird's tail. My back foot. My front leg was stretched out straight with my foot 5 feet lower than my hung up back foot - a very unnatuaral position for a 53 year old male Thank god for the trekking poles.
It took me 5 minutes to extricate myself which was equal parts comical and frustrating.

My gear placed to dry out


Now the dogs and I are resting. It was a good trip. I think we'll do it again tomorrow.

Phil

Nice pictorial.

I love snowshoeing with or without the dogs. However, my bird dogs always wander off seeking scent.

Very nice, Phil!

It's been a number of years since I last wore snowshoes ... fun!

Nice story. A great slice of life in a NE winter.

Gotta love it when the dogs stand on the back of the snowshoe! Try extricating yourself from that in 4' of powder.

Yeah they're not stupid. Once the initial excitement burns up their excess energy they figure out real quick that Dad has to bust trail.

Phil, wow! That sure looks beautiful! I hope you didn't injure yourself with the fall.

Great pictures Phil. That is a beautiful property you have there.

I love to snowshoe and have been doing it for over 40 years. Here are my snowshoes, which I bought 42 years ago and they continue to serve me well. Not high-tech. like yours, but functional, classic and gorgeous.

Beautiful photos, Phil.

Lovely photographs, Phil.

Unfortunately, I've been ill, and have not been able to go out and enjoy the snow. I hate missing out on these chances to enjoy the outdoors.

Yohann, all best wishes for a speedy recovery.

(02-17-2014, 04:34 AM)yohannrjm Wrote: Lovely photographs, Phil.

Unfortunately, I've been ill, and have not been able to go out and enjoy the snow. I hate missing out on these chances to enjoy the outdoors.

Man to have that out my back door. I'd never be home. You're a lucky man Phil.

(02-17-2014, 08:30 AM)freddy Wrote: Yohann, all best wishes for a speedy recovery.

(02-17-2014, 04:34 AM)yohannrjm Wrote: Lovely photographs, Phil.

Unfortunately, I've been ill, and have not been able to go out and enjoy the snow. I hate missing out on these chances to enjoy the outdoors.

Thanks Freddy.

I couldn't take it anymore, and went out yesterday.......cross country skiing. Big mistake. I feel like crap today.

Sometimes, the only thing you can do is rest.

(02-16-2014, 03:09 PM)Rufus Wrote: Here are my snowshoes, which I bought 42 years ago

Love the wooden snow shoes. You must treat them well to still have after 42 years.

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Yohann,
Hope you are feeling better.

Did you ever get to use the long distance skates you brought?

When you posted about having to shovel snow off the roof, it made me glad I moved to Texas. But seeing these photos make me miss deer and pheasant hunting and being in the outdoors.

(02-19-2014, 02:51 PM)PhilNH5 Wrote: ...
Yohann,
Hope you are feeling better.

Did you ever get to use the long distance skates you brought?

Yep, I have been out on the skates. They're pretty amazing - much more stable than hockey skates.

I also got cross-country skis that fit the boots. That's a first for me - skiing of any sort. It was quite comical at first, but I'm getting better. Luckily, it is only a five minute walk a place when I can get on my skis.

Phil,

Thanks for the photos. You have a beautiful home and property. Glad the hang up on the bird was not an injury.