Blog's End

A year in Canaan has ended. I started this blog (Jan 2, 2010) with a story about a 5-year old girl named Milly that I taught last year over the Christmas holidays. Her family returned again this year and Milly and I renewed our adventure in skiing.

Last year Miss Milly was able to advance in ability such that she was able to follow me down a black diamond (more difficult) slope. This year, much to the displeasure of her 18 month older sister and 24 month older cousin, she was able to negotiate a double back (most difficult) slope. Official ski school policy discourages this sort of effort...but Miss Amelia Jane and I are not of a mind to be discouraged.

Merry Christmas

The holidays were brightened by Aaron's visit home. He was able to go on walks with Deb. Play with Tucker and Rusty. And spend a bit of time on snow with me at Timberline. The weather was extremely cooperative with lots of good snow and cold temperatures but also great weather for his air travel from Seattle to Dulles and back.

We had the pleasure of playing host to a group of young folks from Peru and Brazil for Christmas dinner. Debbie did her usual outstanding job with the food preparation. Everyone enjoyed themselves.

Winter Solstice

In celebration of the Winter Solstice Tucker and I went for an early morning ski on Dolly Sods. The weather has been cold and snowy the past couple of weeks allowing me 14 Days on Snow already for the season.

Frost & Fog

At night when the skies are clear and the winds calm cold air settles to the valley floor. By daybreak a light fog floats above the lake coating the surrounding vegetation with a thick layer of frost.

Dreary Fall Weather

We have entered that period of the year comprised of damp dreary weather that serves as transition between the bright sunny days of fall and the blustery cold days of winter. We are often engulfed in mountain fogs that sweep down from the ridges and turn the woods into a surreal world of soft contrasts. A walk through a nearby marsh along a forest grove and mountain stream affords an opportunity to catch a bit of the mood of the season.

October Moon

Tonight is the night of the October full moon. I really like this moment in year. Most of the leaves have blown off the trees opening up views deeper into the woods. Walking through the woods freshly fallen leaves crunch underfoot and the air is crisp and cool with a strong hint of winter soon to arrive.

Tucker and I climbed the ridge behind the house in the waning sunlight to catch sight of the moon rising beyond a distant ridge.

I found what I thought was a nice composition to photograph. Moon. Trees. Rocks. Fading sunlight sky.

Apparently Tucker thought it needed more.

I must agree - he makes a better image.

Even better, no?

Images of Fall

The weather over the past month has been typical for fall - a collection of warm & dry days mixed with cold & damp ones. Foliage this fall seemed a bit less brilliant than years past; it certainly was short lived. Leaf colors, which peaked during the first week of October, faded dramatically this past week and were stripped by strong winds over the last couple of days.

The following shots are a small collection of the images I was fortunate to record over the past month.

Fern grove on Breathered Mountain

Grasslands of Dolly Sods

Early fall at the Forks of Red Creek

Hiking the Dobbins Grade

Foliage on Upper Red Creek

Scene along Beaver View Trail

Beaver Pond on the Refuge

Falls along the Little Stonecoal

Fearless companion

Aaron's Visit

Youngest son, Aaron, has been visiting us from Seattle. In addition to rafting we've done a bit of hiking on and around the Sods. Here are a few images captured during those treks.

Aaron and Deb hiking above the Refuge.

Aaron, Tucker and I did an overnight backpacking trip.

We stopped by the site of one of our more memorable trips from the past where he and I plus his brother Greg and our Border Collie, Rascal, spent a harrowing night in a thunderstorm. We chose a much less open location for this night's camp.

Tucker at sunset near camp.

Our camp location was near a reliable spring and that fact coupled with it being the evening of the bright Harvest Moon encouraged many woodland creatures to visit us during the night - something Tucker found stressful. We were awoken multiple times by Tucker's growl or lunging at the inside of the tent door.

We enjoyed a brief downpour just before sunrise which contributed to a very nice morning haze.

Morning sun through the trees.

Dewey sunrise.

Aaron on the hike home.

Gauley River

Youngest son, Aaron, is visiting us from Seattle for about 10 days. Yesterday he and I plus two friends from Charleston rafted the Upper Gauley. We did a commercial trip with Wildwater Unlimited, the oldest company on the river having - in my opinion - the best guides. Our guide was a young man named Travis. Travis' off-season job is teaching swift water rescue techniques (a great skill to have in one's guide).

We were in a small 12-foot 4-man raft rather than the standard 18-foot 6-man variety. This allowed us the opportunity for a bit more exciting ride through some of the 30+ rapids we encountered on our journey. Here's a link to an extensive set of videos showing most of the rapids we experienced. We ran all the rapids listed on the Upper Gauley section and took out below Wood's Ferry. http://www.gauleyriverrapids.com/

Our guide purposely flipped our raft and we all swam - guide included - a rapid listed as Guide's Revenge - also known as Fuzzy Little Box of Kittens.

We had a great day. Bright beautiful sunshine. Excellent water. A simply wonderful day for rafting.

Fall Colors Along Red Creek

The weather was stunning so Tucker and I headed into the Sods for a quick backpacking trip. We followed trail into the upper Red Creek Canyon.

Tucker checked out the creek while I picked out a campsite.

Finding a decent location...

...we sat back and enjoyed the view.

Tucker kept watch over the camp...

Well... sort of.

We woke to a bright sunrise...

...and headed out passing several nice stands of ferns in fall glory.

Cass Photography Workshop

I spent yesterday in a photography workshop which was held at West Virginia's Cass State Park. Not sure I like any of the images I produced. You be the judge.

Old Lumber Mill

Sunrise over the Greenbriar

Bedroom in the Company Doctor's House

Log Skidder Boom

Black Locust

Adirondack Park

Slipped away from the Valley for a week of backpacking and canoeing in the Adirondack Park with an old friend from my high school days. It had been 30+ years since my last visit. Since that time Loons have returned as have Eagles, Osprey and Heron. It was great trip with great weather. (click on images to expand)

Morning mist on Pharaoh Lake

Back water lagoon on Pharaoh Lake.

Miller's Falls

View from top of Pharaoh Mtn.

Long Pond Mtn.

Long Pond.

Kayaker on Long Pond.

Misty Morning on Long Pond

Scott on Long Pond