Wintry Weather in Boone, NC

The carefully constructed layers we took 20 minutes to compile took mere seconds to remove. We were beginning to sweat underneath the heavy clothing from the tiring walk we had just completed. It ended in the nick of time, too, because as soon as we got inside the toasty house the wind picked up and blew even more furiously than it already was.

The snow, I love, but the wind, mmmmm not so much. Sometimes, I wish that I could pick the perfect snow day where the photo ops are plentiful and extreme weather isn't threatening to damage your photographic equipment.

On a perfect snow day, for me anyway, it would be bitter cold so that the snow was sticking to everything, and the flakes would be floating around like feathers as they made their way to the ground. It would blanket our valley and the surrounding hills; everything would be covered in a sheet of white.

There would be no massive gusts of wind knocking you every which way, and the snow wouldn't be coming in sideways pelting you in your frozen face. Yesterday was pretty unbearable in terms of going for a nice stroll in the snow like I did a few weekends ago. The wind was howling non-stop and forced us to walk with our heads down for most of our trek.

The rare moments where I did whip out my camera to capture some wintry images, I made sure my back was to the wind so that it wouldn't get too wet. A futile effort, for sure, but I still managed to get what I went out there for. At least I didn't get all bundled up and freeze my butt off to come home empty handed.

Snow days are exciting because you have no idea exactly what they will bring. The conditions can vary a great deal. I know that I'll get many more opportunities this winter to experience all that Boone weather decides to drop on us. Although I'm not sure how long my motivation to get out and shoot winter scenes will last, but I do know that I'd be more apt to sticking with it if this relentless wind would take a hike! Until then, I'll just stay indoors where it's nice and cozy :D

What are you doing to stay warm?!

Saturday Stroll in the Snow {Part 2} | Boone, NC

  

 

With yet another forecast calling for copious amounts of snow, Boone weather is steadily doing its best to test our ability to endure a true winter. It has caught many of the blue ridge mountain residents completely off guard, too, because it doesn't typically start this early. People are scrambling to get preparations in order and we are no exception. This past weekend, we finally winterized our windows to help keep our precious heat from escaping -- it makes such a big difference. Just thought I'd share some additional images from the snowy stroll I took last weekend. I'm really looking forward to getting out and capturing some more of the winter scenes the the Boone weather brings. What's the weather looking like where you are?

Related Links:

• Saturday Stroll in the Snow {Part 1} 
• WW has a Facebook Page now! Follow me here: http://www.facebook.com/wayfaringwanderer

Saturday Stroll in the Snow | Boone, NC

 

Yesterday, here in Boone NC, we had our first substantial snow of the winter season. When I say substantial, I mean a few inches, but it did snow all day long and throughout the evening. I managed to tear myself away from my movie marathon to take a walk along the Greenway Trail near my house.

The snow was steadily streaming from above as I attempted to capture the winter scenes. It wasn't the light and fluffy kind that gently floats down to the ground either. Instead, I had to endure being pelted by tiny balls of ice that were determined to drench me and my camera.

Since the conditions weren't favorable I had the entire trail to myself. I didn't pass a single soul during my walk through the winter wonderland. I could tell, though, that people had braved the snowy conditions at some point because I saw many sets of footprints during my trek.

It feels like it's been too long since I've set out to take any nature pictures. And it's been even longer since I've had the opportunity to get any pictures of snow. Hopefully, this season I'll have the chance to get out and shoot all sorts of winter photos.

While I am looking forward to copious amounts of snow and the changes that the season brings, I am also thinking about how I'll combat the inevitable blues that will ensue at some point. Taking snowy strolls with my camera in hand to capture winter pictures is definitely something I'll be encouraging myself to do more of, that's for sure.

What is your take on snow? Love it? Hate it? Have you had any snow show up in your neck of the woods yet?

And I thought it was April?!

Every possession and every happiness is but lent by chance for an uncertain time,
and may therefore be demanded back the next hour.
~Arthur Schopenhauer~


On one hand:
My car ran perfect to and from our weekend destination.
I was perfectly healthy, not a cold or infection in sight.
We were given some lovely spring weather.

On the other:
Today, it is stalling out on me!
Last week, I was plagued with a sore throat and sinus congestion. (I felt horrible)
The minute you turn your back, you get hammered with SNOW. (In April!)


In so many ways I can relate to this quote right now. For days, I have scanned pages of quotes looking for something that could encompass this somewhat turbulent time period I am experiencing. It wasn't until today that I found one. Now, those are not the only reasons I was on a hiatus. When I would feel the fleeting urge to blog, it was swiftly met by another urge that forced my attention elsewhere. I just didn't have the desire or inclination to make it happen.

Cody and I traveled back to Kingsoport, TN for my cousin Cahty's wedding this past weekend. Preparation for the trip dominated the majority of my spare time but I still had loose ends! Thankfully, everything went pretty smoothly despite the mishaps encountered along the way.

An eventful visit with my Dad was probably the highlight of my weekend though. The wedding was great, but I hardly ever get to hang out with my Dad. If it weren't for the wedding, I would have only seen him once this year while I was home at Thanksgiving. I wasn't the only one glad to see my Dad, Cathy was overjoyed to have her blood relatives with her on the special day.

My Dad was asked to walk her down the aisle since her Dad couldn't be there in the flesh. He carried a mini-laptop that connected a live feed of every step to her parents via a video chat. The power of technology allowed them to experience it with her even though they were 7,000 miles away. Isn't that amazing! Oh yeah, I almost left out that I was a bridesmaid.

Sunday was our free day and we all stumbled upon some pretty fun things to do. Guess what?! We are going on a field trip this Friday! So, please have your permission slips signed and turned in no later than Thursday evening. Hope you can make it!

Posted in Wordful Wednesday

In the End

perspective can shift
as the layers are revealed
you come full circle

The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning.
~Ivy Baker Priest~

It's been a while since I have done a haiku.
The transition between winter and spring always finds me in a deeply contemplative mood.
I hate to think that I have to endure it, but the fact of the matter is that, I do. A lot of us do.
The awakening of spring is the emergence of a "real" beginning,
one that I know I am very much looking forward to.

We are supposed to have 70 degree weather this weekend. I plan to be OUTSIDE!
Still don't know what to do yet?!?! But, we are giving much thought to camping out somewhere.

The tree is just another favorite from our Sunday Flurry.
It's one that I have photographed on a few occasions since it sits very close to our house.

Tonight, we attended the gallery preview at the Turchin Center to see Wonder Collides on display. Tomorrow, we are going back with some friends for the real shindig! This evening was for members and those being showcased. Tomorrow, is also when voting begins for the people's choice award. I know I can count on you guys to cast one for me, can't I ;o)

Or maybe, I'll just bribe you?! Bribes are goooooood.
Speaking of bribes, did you enter to win a MINI PRINT TRIO from my Etsy shop?!
If not, you still have time to enter for your chance to win.
Visit this post for more details.

Well, it is past my bedtime. Thank goodness tomorrow is FRIDAY!
Hope you all have a great weekend whatever you have in store.

Posted in OSI, Photostory Friday, Hooked On, & Haiku Friday

Sunday Flurry

First Snow
by Mary Louise Allen

Snow makes whiteness where it falls
The bushes look like popcorn balls
And places where I always play
Look like somewhere else today

Beautiful feathery flakes of snow
Over the woodland and field they go
Making a blanket so warm and deep
Over the flowers that lie asleep

I have eagerly awaited a snow day such as this. To see the valley blanketed in white.
Thankfully, it decided to come on a weekend so that we were actually able to enjoy it.
Compared to the gloomy rain we were having just days before, the snow was welcomed.
We walked to the park not far from our house with the snow tube in tow.
It feels strange to say but this was my first time doing so.
I had a blast! A very fun snow day, indeed.

Sledding on a Snowy Sunday from Wayfaring Wanderer on Vimeo.

Do I have the most infectious laugh or what!?!? Okay, maybe obnoxious, whichever.

Posted in Weekend Snapshot

Carrying the Weight of it All

Hope: Is in carrying the weight of it all

Endure the Darkness
The load will lessen with time
Resilient Spirit


If you can go through life without experiencing pain you probably haven’t been born yet.
~Neil Simon~

Literally and figuratively these words speak so much truth to me this week.
To say the least it has been a rather trying one for me to get through. My poor neck has been on the fritz for the past few days. Although when I feel like I have reached the edge I hear a whisper that tells me to keep on going. That this pain doesn't define my life. I have the power to overcome what I feel like is trying to take its grubby hold. I am confident that the buoyancy of my soul will prevail.

I chose this image because when I look at it, it makes me feel as though I, too, can carry the lofty load bestowed upon me. That when its time to bear the burden I am fully equipped to do so. However, I do get a lot of help from Cody. He is truly a godsend in my life. I really don't know what I would do without him (you). Thank you for sticking by me when I am not so sunny, I know it ain't easy :o)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and that your loads are
particularly light in the coming days.

Posted in: Haiku Friday & Photostory Friday

'Hope' for Snow

unforeseen delight
the anticipation builds
wayward reverie


I didn't want to choose just any word for the Shutter Sisters' One Word Project.
I couldn't even determine if I would participate due to the fact that I couldn't commit to a word.
I wanted to all-of-a-sudden have an ah-ha! moment that would
signal a correlation between my heart, mind, and eye.
Like a ton of bricks, it HIT me.....the perfect word.

H O P E

If there is anything I am putting all my faith into, it is H O P E.
H O P E for me, you, us, we, them, everyone...
the future...but more importantly...
S N O W!

• OSI haiku prompt - Slowly
• One Word Project
• Wordful Wednesday

Melancholy Mood

Posted in Wordful Wednesday

My mind and emotions are in the process of recharging.
Keeping a low profile is the best I can do right now.

Enthusiasm and energy have temporarily fallen to the wayside,
and as a result I'm finding motivation harder to come by.
Daydreams, however, those are plentiful!


“For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.”

~William Wordsworth



Tomorrow, on WW you will find a guest post from Cody!
He will be sharing our newest green initiative.
So, please check back.

Sunny Bud

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.

~Anne Bradstreet

Looking for some sun in my life...........I plundered through my photostream on Flickr to brighten up the blog. This photo was taken at the beginning of January on the Greenway Trail, another photo from this same day can be found here. Today I have noticed that one half of Boone is dark and dreary while the other half is partly cloudy with a small portion of blue sky showing, obviously the sky can't make up it's mind, so it chooses to be both!

Water Under the Bridge

I felt a little like Cinderella today. I didn't want to sit around all day stuffing my face and watching t.v. so I took to cleaning the house. I did about 4 loads of laundry, I cleaned & reorganized the bathroom, and washed the dishes. Now, those don't sound like things that would have taken me 4 1/2 hours, but it did! What bothers me is that I didn't even get to the living room or bedroom so it seems as though I didn't get a whole lot done, even though I was worn out. At times it's a little disheartening once you realize that maintaining and keeping an organized and clean environment takes constant labor. Sometimes it takes too much work, once you're done with one thing there's just something else waiting for your attention. When it suits my mood I let things go, for example if I'm too tired or hurting..............some things can wait until tomorrow. Anyhow, these little things make a big difference overall, the bathroom looks so much better to me now that things are rearranged. We'll see what we can accomplish come tomorrow!

*To Cody's defense, he had to work today......
**This photo was taken on our snow day this past Thursday when we took a walk on the Greenway Trail. The post processing makes it a whole lot more interesting, believe me....

Cleanliness is next to impossible. ~Author Unknown

Pure White Path

The future lies before you, like paths of pure white snow. Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show.

~Author Unknown

*Compared to yesterday, today was gorgeous but frigid. I took a short stroll this afternoon mainly to escape the office. I am realizing that this is something that needs to happen more often. I felt somewhat refreshed when I got back, which enabled me to get some extra tasks done. The rest of the day went by a whole lot faster since it was broken up. It's been so long since I had taken the time to leave the office for lunch much less go for a walk and take some pictures, it was great fun!

1984

(I didn't take any photos this weekend so here's this kid next to a snowman)



It snowed on Sunday, I mean all day Sunday...............
I hate to admit that I didn't even step foot out of the house but, I didn't.
I kept thinking that I needed to get up and take some shots of the snow, but I simply didn't feel like it. The fire was too darn cozy!
There will be many more to come, I hope. No, I'm positive! I know the winters are not nearly as rough as they were a number of years ago, and from my experience thus far with snow I've noticed a change. Last year it seemed like it only snowed about 4-5 times, I mean a real good, heavy snow. Locals will agree that we've had it pretty easy the past few years. The guy delivering our wood last week was talking about living in this area in the early to mid-90's, and he was telling us how they used to ski down the mountain to get to the grocery store and stuff when they were snowed in for days or weeks at a time, now that's crazy?!?! Indeed, times are a changing................

*For those of you who have yet to realize that dorky little kid is, you guessed it, me!