I had forgotten about Winter. It seemed like a thing of the past, along with skiing, skating, sledding, cold noses and icy toes. Even as recently as New Years Day the forest was looking depressingly dry, with precipitation totals well below normal. But by late January cosmic forces began to realign themselves and aimed a great “atmospheric river” of moisture towards the west coast, and by the end of the month we were getting hosed and things were looking a lot wetter. But that was only the beginning!
February delivered a series of epic winter storms that knocked us on our butts and then kicked us
while we were down. The first few storms knocked down hundreds of trees and branches (weakened by drought or torched by wildfires), which brought down power lines. Utility crews poured into the state to reinforce our local resources in patching together our fragile, vulnerable infrastructure. Some folks were without power/heat/lights/water/phone for a week or more, as the storms continued to take out lines and poles and transformers faster than the crews could replace them. Or so it seemed.
The storms had their biggest impact in the mountains, where suddenly it’s a lot harder to travel. Even if you could get your car out of your driveway the roads were icy and dangerous. Last Friday the traffic in our little town was totally gridlocked for hours because Tahoe-bound travelers on Highway 50 were being held up by avalanche control work over Echo Summit, and they all decided to get off the highway and pass the time at our tiny residential community, overwhelming it’s 3 humble restaurants and 2 gas stations.
Due to the gridlock it took me four hours to drive 15 miles to get home Friday night, during which time I continually reminded myself that this too, shall pass.
On the plus side, the snow is bringing the promise of new life to the mountains and forests. All this water is a gift from heaven. Spring, when it comes, will be splendid. The valley is turning green and the reservoirs are filling up.
I haven’t been able to walk my usual forest paths, not because they are blanketed in deep snow, but because so many downed trees and branches are blocking the way. At some point we’ll have to go down into the canyon with saws and loppers, but until then I’m gotten creative at finding other places to walk.
Since everyone has been pretty much stuck at home until they could dig out of their driveways, our road has seen little traffic except an occasional plow or convoy of utility trucks, and it’s actually become a nice place to walk! I have been doing a lot of walking because it’s the only way I can get out of shoveling the driveway. Lyssa and the gang came with me of course, and I took a few photos to show you.
Meanwhile in my virtual other world of Rhinoceros conservation I’ve been making good progress. I just hit the 600 km mark (376 miles). My next stop is Lake Nakuru, which I’m really looking forward to. It’s a park on the western border of Kenya, famous for flamingos, and also home to giraffe, black and southern white rhinos, waterbuck, lions cheetahs and lots more.
Until Lois returns from her photo-safari I borrowed a few photos from the internet to show you where I am. Virtually. Right now its hard to imagine how this could even be the same planet!
If you are already sponsoring me I thank you. You are inspiring me to get out there and hike. If you haven’t got around to it yet you still have time and it’s very easy. I still need help to reach my goal of earning a dollar a mile! Here’s the link: sponsor me.
Happy Hiking (or skiing or sailing or snowshoeing or whatever)!
Shirley & Crew
