Snowventure!

I like snow. I'm always jonesing for some real winter snow here in Boise, and rarely am I fulfilled. Even on the few days each year where we might get some accumulation, most of the time, I have to be at work those days. I can't go outside and play. 

But this year, Boise's snow arrived on a Friday and lasted all the way through Saturday and even a bit of Sunday before the melting began in earnest on Monday. Friday, I had to work, but I got to be remote and avoid driving on the snow covered streets. Yay! I mean, I know how to drive on snow and my husband knows how - it's the other drivers I'm worried about. 

I didn't get out in it on Friday, but on Saturday, after lunch, I took a walk in the snow, a stroll through the falling flakes and fluffy piles of winter wonderland - after I put on proper gear, of course, heavy fleece lined pants, big ol' down jacket, warm hat, gloves and boots (everything but the boots belongs to Ambrose, I just borrowed it). 

That's a lot accumulation on our mailbox! 

I was absolutely overflowing with joy. I was grinning like a maniac and I didn't care who saw me (to be fair, I only encountered a few other pedestrians and several passing cars). The air was cold, but moist. The air was full of varying levels of falling, crystalized water. It was perfect. 

Okay, it could have been better if I had a sledding hill nearby. And a sled. During the great Snowmaggedon of 2016, we tubed down a small hill during lunch at work. That was a blast, but I wasn't quite as joyful, because I was around people I work with, and I keep somewhat of a façade up there. 

I made my way to a nearby park that I reach by crossing a small pedestrian bridge, now transformed into a glorious snow tunnel as the low hanging branches drooped even lower with their heavy coats of snow. I had to get down and squat/crawl to get inside the tunnel. Once inside, I'm short enough that I was able to stand, but I had to go down again to get out the other side. 

"Only the penitent man will pass"

The pond at the park was not frozen over, though the banks had skims of ice (under which I saw some trash and was disappointed I couldn't get to it to pack it out). I saw geese and coots on the water. 

Coots in the snow.

The main roads never got too bad, but side streets were socked in.

I tried making snow spiders instead of snow angels. But I think my efforts turned out more like snow scarabs (6 legs plus 2 antennae). 

I was lying in the snow, contemplating my snow spider plan, when a guy walked by with a dog. He didn't pay attention to me, so I don't know if he was ignoring me because I was acting weird or if he legit didn't see me. I mean, I was acting pretty weird, because the first rule of snow spiders if you have to do it face down. 

Not that I was putting my face into the snow - I improvised the head part using my hands instead of giving myself a whitewash. 

Yep, that's pretty deep.

First snow spider attempt.

The ducks and geese really stomped this snow down!

Last snow spider attempt.

Although Saturday is typically my rest day from exercise, I got a good workout with that snow stroll. The snow wasn't deep enough to really posthole, but it was at least a half posthole all through the parts that hadn't been shoveled. The paths on the park had been, but there were about 4 new inches on the paths so they were just less work, not no work. 

After I walked home, I stayed outside a bit longer. I didn't want to lose the sensation of utter joy that I'd been intensely feeling. I lied down on the snow, face up this time, and watched the sky. 

Snow spiraling down, appearing as if by magic out of the gray sky. Snow covered tree limbs dancing gently in the breeze, dripping white when breeze turned to wind. Cold droplets on my cheeks, running down my face. Glasses slowly getting cold enough to collect snow. I could have stayed there a long time. 

So. Much. Joy.

Stone kitty, nice and dry.

I went inside though, and let my husband know a yeti had not gotten me. I warmed up with a hot shower, and wondered when I would next get to experience the snow like that.