Magical

I love being outdoors and communing with nature. However, if the temperature dips under 20° F, I am not going out. Yes, I am a wimp. I have always known this, but living in western New York, it has become ever so apparent. I keep running into hardy women who are 15 to 20 years my senior, who look at me strangely, when I tell them that I don’t hike on days colder than 20° F. They simply say – “Just put on another layer dear.” Well folks, no matter how many layers are on this body, it’s too damn cold. On days I walk to yoga from my car, just a couple of blocks, my lungs hurt from the cold air, even though I have a scarf covering my mouth and nose in an attempt to warm the air.

This winter has been brutal, but I did find some days to go out and hike. Recently, I visited some of my favorite spots. The ice was treacherous, making most paths impassable, but magical nonetheless.

The Universe is calling me outside when I wake up to winter blue skies and it’s warmer than 20° F.

You would never guess that there was a path on the other side of the bridge. The ice was so thick it would have been easier to skate on it, than to walk on it.

Looking down into a frozen gorge and waterfall.

Another frozen path

Frozen stairs

Click on photos to enlarge.