First Snowy Walk of the Season

Bob and I headed up to Big Springs for a walk. We'd biked the last time we were there and we did spot tire tracks from a fat bike.

"Hummm, bear claw marks??"

The spring had water flowing.

Big Springs Traipse

I need to explain why I'm using the word traipse so often recently. During November while riding in the car together, Mark, Shannon and Whitney where introduced to a new word, traipse.
Even Mark had never heard of it and didn't know what it meant. I can't imagine, but I'm getting on in years. Now, whenever I went for a walk or hiking Mark would say, "Going out for a traipse, eeeh?" He's a funny dude.

I was feeling low Sunday afternoon, after Christmas, after Mark went into the MTC, after getting to talk to Brad on Skype a few days earlier and Bob suggest we go up to Big Springs. He was sick with bronchitis but was willing to walk up a bit. He eventually made it up to the meadow. I was so happy that the sun was still hitting the east side of Cascade Mountain. Light is everything when it comes to photos.

Sunday Prison Walk at Big Springs

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." 

--Anne of Green Gables

Daniel participated in a "prison" walk at Big Springs after church yesterday. It was a prison walk because he was trapped and couldn't choose to leave--a walk completely and totally against his will. I'm so glad he didn't figure out that if he laid down on the trail or the parking lot pavement I wouldn't have been able to move him; plus, I'm sure he realized that his siblings would have walk all over him:)