Saying Goodbye 2007

Hello all trailbuddies, Well here we are once again saying goodbye to another year. I am sure each of us wonder where the year has gone? Busy is a understatement at least for me, though this time of year around the cabin life slows down. Christmas cheer came and went along with all the food treats and celebrations. Winter is also a time of celebration. My hike through the woods reveals only the quietness of the woods, the sound of the wind swaying in the tree tops. I would stop and pause, my eyes scanning in between the aspens and evergreens all clumped with snow. Every branch covered in the white fluffy stuff that comes this time of year. My imagination runs wild as tree stumps encased in snow built up over time have now taken on the apperence of someones face or that of an animals head. From a distance a moose cow makes her way crossing the openness of the meadow heading for good browse and protection the willows offer. The afternoon hike draws to an end as the evening sky grows darker. Evidence from tracks in the snow left days earlier show a fox or coyote has passed through this area. As I continue to hike back towards the cabin in what remains of the light, all my thoughts ponder what this year has meant to me. Where the year has gone? What will the next year disclose to me as far as new adventures, undiscovered territories. All the chickadees have left the bird feeders, still heading for cover for the night, as I should do the same. Saying goodbye to the cold from my afternoon hike, saying hello to the darkness settling in. Tossing a couple of logs in the fireplace and bathe in the warm firelight, resting in the ole rocker is where I intend to celebrate saying goodbye to this years end. I wish you all happiness, Happy Holidays and new adventures for the new year to about to begin.

See you down the trail somewhere,

Buford T. Porcupine

5 Degrees

Hello Trail buddies,

Life around the cabin here in Alaska has been quiet so far this winter. What little snow we've had has kept the moose up in higher elevations. The end of November has been cold. On this paticular morning, the thermometer read 5 degrees. Glancing out the window I could see frosted adventures dancing in my head. With that in mind I scurried to get ready for the cold, thinking of the macro possibilities I would encounter. With my camera, lens and tripod - out the door I went, slowly walking through the woods, looking in every direction and checking every little nook and cranny. I always ponder at each stop, scannng up and down trying not to miss anything.

One of my favorite berries is the high-bush cranberry. Always a treat to grab a shot of these red berries, which grow in shrub form. On this particular morning, these berries were frosted heavily and a perfect find to start the cold morning off right. Dressing right for such a cold occasion has never bothered me. My unwritten code that I live by is: no such thing as bad weather, just inadequate dressing and a motto anyone who truly lives for the outdoor adventures should adhere to. Making my way farther down the trail searching, a lone leaf lay just inside the snow, covered in frost. So far as the morning was moving along, there were endless opportunities and still more to stumble across. Sunrise comes later for us being this far up north, above and away from the rest of the lower 48. Sun was rising low through the trees from across the meadow, casting its golden light into all the right areas. Scanning sections where the sun was hitting I found an area of frosted field grasses encompassed by snow. I always seem to be taken away by such captive moments, totally emersing myself into whatever the subject might be I've stumbled across. As the morning burned away and the good light was now gone, with the cold still nipping at my exposed skin, mostly my face, I headed back to the cabin. Tossing in a few logs, sitting in my favorite rocker by the fireplace, I warmed up to the memories of this very cold morning. I hope all your winter adventures are good, warm experiences, even though it might be awfully cold out there. What fun would it be sitting inside, looking out at winter, letting it pass you by without some sort of adventure?

Well have fun this winter. See you down the trail,

Buford T. Porcupine