Bunny here at the keyboard to share our New Year’s Day hike adventure.
Every year for several years, we have gone hiking on New Year’s Day. This year, it was the coldest day on record so far, but we were determined to go. Mom said that’s what long underwear and wool socks are for. I bundled up, too, with my tummy warmer on under my heavy coat. Morgan has a fur coat of her own and said she was good. So, off we headed to Starved Rock State Park.
We’ve been to Starved Rock before, but we love going this time of year because the frozen waterfalls look like ice sculpture. Every year, they freeze differently, so you see something new each time. Morgan and I were very excited to head out for a hike, because it’s been awhile since we’ve been on one. We were both hoping for grand adventure.
New Year’s Eve we got a nice blanket of snow, so we were thinking that there would be snow at Starved Rock, which is about forty five minutes away from our house. To our surprise, about halfway there, we noticed that there was no snow. We started to wonder if there would even be any ice or frozen waterfalls, but Mom said she thought the conditions were ideal for seeing the waterfalls in a frozen state.
Another surprise we discovered when we arrived at the trail head was that there was hardly anybody else there to hike. Dad said maybe they all stayed home because it was so cold. I suppose it’s possible, but let me tell you those people sure missed out. We did see a few other people out on the trails, but no other dogs. I did let some kids pet me and I think it was the highlight of their year. It’s too bad the rest of the year won’t be as good for them.
One thing that I found amazing was that there were still green ferns and moss growing all along the canyon. Here we were in the dead of Winter on the coldest day we’ve had this season and there were beautiful green things still thriving among the snow crystals. It made me feel good inside to think that there’s still life in places when we can’t see it.
Soon we got to the bottom of the Saint Louis Canyon and the waterfall did not disappoint us. It looked like a frozen jellyfish in places. We admired it from across the pond for a little while, and posed in front of it, and then we walked over to see it from underneath. I have to say that it was stunning from every angle. It looked like a castle for a pair of ice princesses. Morgan and I had great fun exploring it, and it didn’t even feel too cold down there.
On the way back out, though, it was quite bracing. It seems that the wind was to our backs on the way down. Heading out, we felt the breeze a bit more. None of us were sorry that we were bundled up. I wouldn’t even have minded wearing one of Morgan’s bubble wrap suits. I was very glad that Mom packed all my warm gear.
The hike was a great start to the year for us. I am glad we came prepared so that we could enjoy it to its fullest. I’m also glad we got that little reminder about green things waiting for us when the cold leaves. Mother Nature sure is full of wonderful surprises. I hope all of you had as much fun with the start of 2013 as we did.
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Just stunning and so beautiful! My favorite’s are the frozen waterfalls! Thanks so much for sharing and I can’t believe no one else was out there on such a beautiful hike.
Two of the most beautiful girls in Blogville!
Bart
Beautiful pictures! The ice fall is amazing.
The pictures of Morgan with the sun on her look vey good.
What a beautiful spot for a hike! The waterfalls here never get cold enough to freeze. I would never have imagined they’d look so neat like that! (PS – Bunny, I adore your coal and scarf. You are a diva.)
Glad you had your tummy warmer and coat with you, Bunny. I’m cold just looking at the pictures of that beautiful waterfall!
Your modeling coaching has paid off with Morgan. That has to be the best portrait of her yet, posing on the boulder. It’s such a great photo that at first look I couldn’t decide if it was a photo or a painting. I think it should be framed.
I has always loved seein’ them frozen waterfalls…cuz I AIN’T goin out hikin’ in da cold. I’ll let ya’ll do it fur me and I’ll just live through ya’ll.
Dat foto of Morgan is incredibles. And of course da one of you but I’m sure you knew dat already…hehehe.
Puddles
First hike of the year was a great one. Glad everyone was prepared and bundled up. Morgan is lucky to have such a nice natural coat.
What a gorgeous connected shot of the frozen waterfall! And Bunny, you look so snug. Doesn’t Morgan get cold too?
Fab photos of the waterfall and of Morgan and Bunny. Love hearing about your hikes and seeing the beauty that you see.
That was just beautiufl. I love the one of Morgan on the rock. And yes it was a good reminder of the abundant life that lies just beneith the frost.
Blessings,
Goose
We would love to see the park in the winter, but that will not happen for us for a while. It looks beautiful with the ice.
Awww Bunny, you and Morgan look quite stunning in your winter wear! I’m so glad you were able to bring such happiness to that child! Without that encounter I’m sure his year would have been sad and bleak
Beautiful pictures of the waterfalls, it reminds me of the BIG storm we had a few years ago. I forget how many feet we got but with the sunny days after the roof and rain gutters were dripping the melting snow behind my shrubs. But it was still very cold so I was getting a mountain of ice from the ground to the gutters. It was quite beautiful!
The frozen falls are just unbelievably gorgeous! That has got to be an amazing site!
What a great hike you all had. No offense Bunny but I have to say those pictures of Morgan are especially stunning today. You look great too, but the lighting on Morgan is amazing.
Cindy & Millie
So much happiness and beauty in starting the year with a tradition and everyone together and healthy. Wishing you all the best in 2013. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us as the adventures unfold.
Wow, frozen waterfalls?! That’s amazing! I’m glad you had a fun hike, and thanks for sharing the grreat pictures!
How beautiful!! Both of the dogs look stunning.
Morgan looks fabulous posed on that rock. I think you may have two models in the family…
What stunning pictures! We sure are glad we found your blog!
We are glad you guys were all bundled up too for that cold but beautiful hike. Thank goodness you did not have to wear long underwear!
Benny & Lily
Gorgeous! One of the few things I miss about Alberta is the large number of waterfalls. I haven’t seen any in Nova Scotia yet worth noticing and it makes me a little sad. Perhaps I need to look harder? The photos of this one are just stunning. What a great find!
Bunny, what an amazing hike. The photos are breath-taking. It is so beautiful! I love the frozen waterfalls. I hope you have a great weekend!
YAY!! I love seeing the waterfalls!! It IS amazing that there are still green ferns! Who’d a thunk it?
Very cool!!!! Snow and ice can be stunning. I love ice formations.
Even with a foot of snow, I keep seeing my baby evergreen saplings that I planted in the fall peeking thru. Gives me hope for spring. But, for now, we’ll enjoy the snow.
I love Bunny’s little coat!!! Its pink!!! And Morgan is such a noble looking girl. That canyon with the frozen water is so pretty and picturesque! I wish there was somewhere like that we could go. Kirby as small as he is I’m sure it would be completely mind-boggling!
Brrrr! It makes me cold just looking at it, but beautiful!!
I amb stunned by the beauty ob yeu and Morgan in this gorgeous wonderland. Seriously, I amb stunned…
wif lubbs from Little Reufus
Awesome pictures of the two beautiful girls.
As we have all the greens here, we do hope we could have a bit of snow and ice even though we know it well that it is impossible.
It looks fantastic there! I wish we had such a good spot as that waterfall! Happy New Year!
What a super way to celebrate the New Year. That head shot of Bunny is awesome!!
What a great hike! I love that first photo of Morgan – I think that it may be your best ever (or is it Mr. Taleteller’s?). I also love Morgan’s pose on the boulder!!!
But the frozen waterfalls are the most amazing part of the whole post. Incredible!