Mountain Lion, Cougar, Puma…..Oh, My!

Wow….I have really just freaked myself out. I knew this would happen…....and yet I did it anyway.


I read the book.

What was I thinking?????

It was a wonderful book. The author is a most excellent storyteller, as she called herself. I was spellbound from the start. She painted pictures in my mind…...pictures I did not need…....knew existed....….did not want…......but could not walk away from….....

I actually read the Afterward first, with curiosity. Then, the book became my constant companion for the next few days…..interrupting my 50 pages into Don Quixote.

And, my heart rate climbed, my breathing increased (both already a problem with this mild asthma)….my imagination worked overtime. I felt slight panic symptoms. Yikes.

I even had to call a friend to get this off of my mind…….the poor thing…...she lives in cougar country, too.

The title of this fascinating and frightening book?

STALKED BY A MOUNTAIN LION:

Fear, Fact, and the Uncertain Future of Cougars in America

by Jo Deurbrouck, 2007.

I live in cougar country. My backyard butts up against mountain ranges, including the Trinity Alps, that extend almost all the way to the Pacific Coast. We have spent numerous hours in the woods, meadows and mountains behind my house…..hiked the local locales….walked trails in the Sierra Nevadas…….I even lived in the Sierra Nevadas as a teen and young adult.

I knew they were there, those mountain lions. I knew sighting them was rare. I knew attack by a mountain lion was rare. I still know it is rare. But…..I cannot get those images the author painted for me out of my psyche. Not yet. It is so fresh. I feel like I was a witness, her stories were so raw.

I leave my house….....and I think there is a mountain lion watching……I arrive home, I feel watched. I am nervous to send the kids out to the chicken coop now.

Then, I start thinking about all of our visits to the meadow and woods behind our house……I am sure we were watched then. I am sure.

Then, I remember those four hours…..Maddelyn, Garrett and I spent in the wild, exploring, while Marty, Matthew & Terry hiked a local mountain to the peak….I am sure we must have been watched then. Even though I know, six years later, we are all safe, I still feel a little sick to my stomach.

Once, when I was in town….Matthew must have been babysitting……he saw a mountain lion in our yard. He tried to video tape it for us…but, well, he had some issues with holding the camera still……still, it did look like a mountain lion…the only animal that could have fit his description.

And, a couple of weeks later, he thought he saw a mountain lion tail go behind a bush on our property…..the dogs started barking like crazy at the same time at the same spot, for a very long time. The G-Family was visiting then and there were about eight little people playing on our giant swingset. We put ourselves on high alert, but we let the children play.

And, all of those things we are told to do, to be safe…….be loud, be big…..just do not seem to work, after reading these stories. Mountain lions are unpredictable. The scientists have not totally figured them out yet.

One thing that helps my imagination to stabilize is the fact that seems (to me) most of the attacks and killings seem to be where cities meet the wilderness……like Southern California. That is not the case here……and I have not ever heard of any attacks in this part of California.

I do know that there was one killed at the nearby California State park....because it sat next to a trail "watching" people. My friend's husband worked there.......he told me this story.

Something that really creeps me out in the book are the stories about cougar attacks (including a death) and sightings at Cuyamaca, in Southern California……especially severe in the 1990’s. I had no idea. My mother-in-law, before she became ill with ALS, worked in that area. In the 1990’s, her entire family of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and some great-nieces and nephews spent a day there, picnicking, in her memory. Once again, I wonder….were we watched? With all those kids? Creepy.

Mountain lions follow the deer….....the deer are plentiful here…....as the deer scat “burning” our lawn tells me. As my dented Honda tells me....the one that had been hit by a doe one dawn. Wonder if it was running from a cougar?? ;)

I must stay rational:

Millions of families go hiking every year without mishap.
~~~~To be honest, it is this statistic that has always given me comfort. But, now, it is not so much my worry about meeting a mountain lion…it is that if I DO come face to face with one…..I now know too much about the outcome of such a meeting. WAY TOO MUCH. I have never been brave like that…..only brave enough for childbirth and dentistry and traveling cross-country with six kids. That is where my courage reaches. I have no courage for cougars. None now, especially.

We will go into the woods as we always have…....we will. I think. I will just always be nervous from now on….and, I will carry a weapon. No, I won’t, not really…..I have no idea how to use one. I will update my pepper spray. I have been lax about carrying it and a whistle lately. No more.

A quote from the book: as one parent told the author,

“It is not the level of risk that is disturbing. It’s the nature of the risk.”

This is what sums it up for me.

Just some links I found........

Commonly Asked Questions About Mountain Lions

For example:

If I live in mountain lion habitat, how concerned should I be for my safety?
Statistically speaking, a person is one thousand times more likely to be struck by lightning than attacked by a mountain lion. That said, mountain lions are wild animals and, like any wildlife, can be dangerous. People who live in mountain lion habitat can take precautions to reduce their risk of encountering a mountain lion. By deer-proofing the landscape, homeowners can avoid attracting a lion’s main food source. Removing dense vegetation from around the home and installing outdoor lighting will make it difficult for mountain lions to approach unseen.

Are mountain lion attacks on humans common?
Mountain lion attacks on humans are rare. There have been only 16 verified mountain lion attacks on humans in California since 1890, six of them fatal. The last documented attack occurred in January, 2007, in Humboldt County.


List of Attacks on people in California
Interesting how the first documented case of a mountain lion attack and killing is in my own county....in 1890.

Oh, not at Prairie Creek State Park, too.......we go there often. And, the attack may have been right where we hiked those 6 miles with the kids. Stay calm :)

Mountain Lion Attacks On People in the U.S. and Canada

List of Mountain Lion Encounters With People in California

Mountain lion sightings, summer/fall 2009, in Northern California

Nice. Two sightings in Arcata..........where we sometimes play.

Quote: "And mountain lions are NOT LIKE BEARS, either….with mountain lions, there’s no drama, no encounter, no time to react. You don’t just run into a mountain lion on a trail and then he attacks you; mountain lions don’t invade your campsite trying to get in your cooler; mama lions don’t let their cubs get in your way; the lion doesn’t growl at you like a bear and stand up and clack its teeth.

Mountain lions don’t have bad tempers, they aren’t twice as big as you, and they don’t think they are the freakin’ kings of the woods; so they don’t go around looking for people to beat up, partly beause humans look kind of like bears, and lions are generally afraid of bears…so…

.....unlike an encounter with a bear, if you see a mountain lion, you can be pretty sure you’re not his intended target.Sure, it’s good to stand tall and make noise, reinforce the impression that you’re a human, not a deer. But he’s probably already figured that out, and, if he ever did have any idea of eating you, he’s lost his advantage, his modus operandi for large prey, his “knock you on your face” tactic; his hard-wired hunting instincts have already already whispered “move on”… that lion’s not coming for you."

Mountain Lions and California State Parks

Verified Mountain Lion Attacks on Humans in California(1890 through 2007)

Mountain Lion Sightings Rarely Spell Trouble

From this site:

More than half of California is considered mountain lion habitat; as a general rule, mountain lions live wherever deer are present. People are observed by lions far more frequently than lions are observed by people. Studies of radio-collared mountain lions show that lions tend to avoid people. Given the fact that there are well over 30 million people and thousands of mountain lions in California, encounters between people and lions are infrequent and attacks are extremely rare.

The DFG has issued the following recommendations for avoiding encounters with a mountain lion, as well as what to do if attacked by a mountain lion:

WHAT IF YOU LIVE IN LION COUNTRY?

DON'T FEED WILDLIFE: By feeding deer, raccoons or other wildlife in your yard, you may inadvertently attract mountain lions, which prey upon them.

DEER-PROOF LANDSCAPE: Avoid using plants that deer prefer to eat; if landscaping attracts deer, mountain lions may be close by. The California Department of Fish and Game has a brochure entitled “Gardening To Discourage Deer Damage” available at most DFG offices.

LANDSCAPE FOR SAFETY: Remove dense and/or low-lying vegetation that would provide good hiding places for mountain lions, especially around children's play areas; make it difficult for mountain lions to approach a yard unseen.

INSTALL OUTDOOR LIGHTING: Keep the house perimeter well lit at night – especially along walkways – to keep any approaching mountain lions visible.

KEEP PETS SECURE: Roaming pets are easy prey for hungry mountain lions. Either bring pets inside or keep them in a kennel with a secure top. Don't feed pets outside; this can attract raccoons and other mountain lion prey.

KEEP LIVESTOCK SECURE: Where practical, place livestock in enclosed sheds and barns at night, and be sure to secure all outbuildings.

KEEP CHILDREN SAFE: Keep a close watch on children whenever they play outdoors. Make sure children are inside before dusk and not outside before dawn. Talk with children about mountain lions and teach them what to do if they encounter one.

WHAT TO DO IF ENCOUNTERING A MOUNTAIN LION?

DO NOT HIKE ALONE: Go in groups, with adults supervising children.

KEEP CHILDREN CLOSE TO YOU: Observations of captured wild mountain lions reveal that the animals seem especially drawn to children. Keep children within your sight at all times.

DO NOT APPROACH A LION: Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.

DO NOT RUN FROM A LION: Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact. If there are small children there, pick them up if possible so they don't panic and run. Although it may be awkward, pick them up without bending over or turning away from the mountain lion.

DO NOT CROUCH DOWN OR BEND OVER: In Nepal, a researcher studying tigers and leopards watched the big cats kill cattle and domestic water buffalo while ignoring humans standing nearby. He surmised that a human standing up is just not the right shape for a cat's prey. On the other hand, a person squatting or bending over looks a lot like a four-legged prey animal. When in mountain lion country, avoid squatting, crouching or bending over, even when picking up children.

APPEAR LARGER: Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you are wearing one. Again, pick up small children. Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. The idea is to convince the mountain lion that you are not prey and that you may be a danger to it.

FIGHT BACK IF ATTACKED: Many potential victims have fought back successfully with rocks, sticks, caps, jackets, garden tools and their bare hands. Since a mountain lion usually tries to bite the head or neck, try to remain standing and face the attacking animal.


How to Survive a Mountain Lion Attack

Not sure if all of what they say holds up after reading the book above....but, here are some quotes:

Coss “found that people who stood still avoided injury only 26 percent of the time. Cougars may view your lack of fight as a sign of vulnerability. Of people who backed away, 39 percent survived unscathed. And of those who booked it, 50 percent escaped without a scratch. In cases where two or more individuals happened upon a mountain lion and booked it, the fastest runner among the two or more escaped without injury 100 percent of the time.”


“According to the California Department of Fish and Game, 14 mountain lion attacks on humans have occurred in California since 1890; nine since 1992. Six attacks have resulted in fatalities — two from rabies, which is common in the animals, especially during summer months. The last death before Reynolds’ (2004) was in 1994. Here’s what the CDFG suggests you do to survive the trails in a cougar habitat:

1. Don’t ride alone: Cougars are less likely to attack groups. Ride with a partner, and stay close togther. If attacked, you can help one another.

2. Stand tall. Cougars try to bite the head or neck, so try tor emain on your feet, don’t bend over or turn away. Make yourself look bigger. Raise your arms, move them slowly, and speak in a firm, loud voice. If you’re wearing a jacket, open it. maintain eye contact with the animal.

3. Raise hell. Yell, scream, act aggressive. Whatever you do, don’t be quiet. It unnerves the animal and is an audible call for help.

4. If attacked, jab the animal’s eyes. Use something sharp — sticks, rocks, a bike pump, or your bare hands.

5. Keep fighting. Kick and punch until you can’t anymore.. Mountain lions have poor endurance. He might think that this isn’t worth it, and decide to go back to deer and other weaklings that flee.

6. Don’t ride or jog after dusk: Sundown in the mountains is near feeding time for cougars.

7. If you do ride after dusk, affix two lights to the back of your helmet: : “They look like eyes to the lions,” says Dan Cain of Borrego Springs, CA, who rides up to 30 miles per week in the desert mountains south of Palm Springs and has run across the big cats on several occasions. Charged by a lion in 1998 on the Pacific Crest Trail, he stood his ground, screamed “like a rock star,” aimed his lights into the lion’s face, and sighed with relief as the cat backed off.”

A Wig-Wam in the Woods

A few years back, my family and Willa's family, took to the road, to spend a day exploring Yosemite. It was our one and only visit. At that time, our boys were quite impressed by the indian homes there. When we returned to Willa's home, they built their own indian home. It took a few years, but it eventually returned to the earth.

Before we arrived for our visit this year, they made plans to build a new one. Having more years of life experience under their belts, they were able to visualize something more involved.

Here is the photo story.......

Matthew, on crutches, took on the role of Ramses, building his "pyramids" with his little slaves: Keiron 13, Garrett 12, Aidan 10, Malachy 7 & Paddy 6.

We were quite amused.

An overall view of where the wigwam is to be.

Matthew & his crutches.

Aidan is digging a place for the opening-see the rocks in the foreground...literally......placed to hold that end of the wigwam.

A close-up of the rock work.

Matthew, bossing.......I mean, leading and guiding.

Matthew showing them how it is done right. Aidan & Garrett look on.

Keiron & Garrett swinging their axes...part I

...and have swung their axes.......part II

Final product: The morning after their first sleep out in the wigwam. Garrett, Keiron, Sean & Matthew slept out there the first night. The second night it was just Matthew and Sean......and it ended in the morning with them running inside due to unexpected thundershowers!

Detail of the inside wall.......

Another detail of the inside walls.......

Yet another detail of the inside wall......

Detail of upper part of the inside wall




Detail of the upper part from the outside

The boys are still inside......

Close-up of the boys: Sean, 16 (Willa's) & Matthew, 18 (mine)

Detail of the bark

Finished product!

My favorite view...out the top!

The view of Willa's house from the wig wam.


Tomorrow we say goodbye to the wigwam......till who knows when.....

And to Willa's family, too....till July? Maybe!

Oh, wait! Tomorrow IS July...well, maybe till later in July!

Please pray for our drive tomorrow....

......I expect to be no less than ten hours on the road....ugh!

Love & Blessings!

Chari

It rained today.........

Garrett, Malachy & I were driving home from Garrett's baseball team barbeque this afternoon........when the thunder clouds that had been building released one giant raindrop on my windshield, about 1/2 mile from home. As I was pointing out the size of the raindrop to the boys, a bolt of lightning seemed to land right next to our car, and the thunder was an immediate, instantaneous jolt. Just one loud boom. We all jumped! Then, the rain made large polka dots all over the road......and as we pulled into our driveway, the 1/4 inch hail began to pelt our car. The rain was SO hard.

We were stuck in the car for a few minutes before the boys decided to make a run for it to the porch.

Anne came out of the door and said: It's Kansas all over again!

Not quite! THAT was pretty bad! And extremely scary for the driver.

After another two minutes, I decided to make a run for it, too! I was soaked even though it was only a ten foot run to the porch from my car.

The rain was pouring off the roof........the flower-bed-needing-flowers was filled with water......

The rain was thunderous in its pounding of the earth. We had to yell to each other to be heard, though we were all on the porch together.

I did go turn off the sprinkler system after ten minutes. :)

I had yet to use the video function on my new camera......so, just for fun, I took a video. It was so easy! I think I will use it more often for posting here.

I must say, the rain does not sound or look as intense in the video as it was in REAL LIFE. The water on the ground that you see is after only about 3-4 minutes of rain......it just broke open wide.

So, have a peek with us!

Blessing from Our Hearts' Haven!

Love, chari

YES! That IS Matthew on crutches! More later on that! But, Clare......you DO need to know his dancing days for the summer may well be over......before the season even started. Pray it is not so!

How I Spent My Birthday........

Originally written the evening of April 25th......


So, Louise, my dear friend, whose love language is so obviously gifts..........she specializes in gifts that resemble acts of service.......called me this morning and told me to meet her at her house about 11:30-ish so I could follow her to our destination. She said for all of us to wear flip flops.....swim suits and to bring beach towels. With a high of only 61* expected.........she said 65*......I was a bit scared........but I obeyed.......and brought a sweatshirt, too!



So, we left the house........and on the way.........it was the start of........






........ a very good birding day! The kids said it was because it was my birthday.......and all of the birds came out for me, to celebrate.



First, we watched a Great Blue Heron soar and then land......but I did not get my camera out in time. Then, above you see the next bird. We think it was a kestral hawk. We saw it again......or another one later over the lake. On the way to the lake, we found the Snowy White Egret we discovered in the marsh the other day..........this is only the second time since we have lived here.....20 years.........that I have seen an egret in the area.





Not sure what bird this was.........I think it was the heron......Matthew took the picture.


So, we arrived at our hometown lake.........where we have not been since last September. Where it is often too cold to go to in April. It was a sunny day, and comfortable enough........but for that wind. The wind chill factor definitely brought our temp down. But, it was tolerable enough.....and Louise set out a delicious picnic............she remembers everything.......it is her way. There was pastrami, of course, and cheeses, other deli meat, two kinds of mustard, mayo, bakery bread, 4 or 5 kind of chips, a homemade pasta salad, sliced tomatoes, avocados, pickles, sodas, waters........and cookies, cupcakes & gummy bears!

While we ate, Miranda, Louise's daughter, almost 6 years old, and Malachy explored down by the water. We just shared conversation......and enjoyed having the entire beach to ourselves......it kind of felt like we were on a deserted island. :)






Garrett, Louise, Sarah, Malachy & Miss Miranda walked down to the lake.......to discover the driftwood treasures along the shore. Nice view, eh?







This is "our" lake.........the kids have grown up here........Malachy & Miranda have always known this lake......and will grow up here, too........and so will Miranda's little brother........who is due to join the family sometime at the end of July, early August.....hopefully before I need to take a road trip to San Francisco!




This was one of the uninvited guests at my birthday picnic........they were so well-behaved today! They never barged into our party. I am actually one of those people who enjoys gulls. We also saw cormorants flying over the lake several times..........and once, I think I saw a bald eagle......it sure looked like one..........but I am not sure they camp out near this area.

Maddelyn and Anne showed up a bit late......because Anne was not ready to leave when it was time to go and she needed her own car in order to get to her play on time. This was our picnic base. Sarah made the cake........it was chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.....my favorite!! The cake was oh-so good........so moist!! This is the best ever chocolate cake we have ever tried. It is our standard.........the one we always go back to.......and the one I have not left for a very long time. Mmmmmm.

******

Anne said Sarah wrote my name on the cake.......and then asked Anne how it looked. Apparently she had written C-a-r-i on the cake........Anne said: Who is Cari? I guess Sarah takes after me.........I am infamous in my family for my gigantic birthday banner for Tony which read: Happy Bithday!

I saw Matthew standing, with this background, and had to have it memorialized. It was a beautiful day..........and Matthew loves this mountain........his mountain.

















It was definitely a bit chilly when that wind came up.........even the boys, Matthew & Garrett took shelter in the beach towels.

















Sarah loves......I mean really loves Louise. She thinks Louise is one of her most favorite people in the whole world. She is one of mine, too.

















And, not sure if it was the last bird of the day.....but there was this lone sandpiper at the shore.......he was very busy. I just sat and watched him for a bit.


Oh, of course, we also saw Canadian Geese, Stellar Jays, swallows, Western Scrub Jays and pigeons. :)

The lake was painted with several different colors today.........can you see the subtle changes in colors in the above photo?

I know you can see the BIG volcano (it is actually two......both peaks are volcanoes)......do you see those two smaller bumps with snow to the right of the big mountain? That is where the ski park is located where the kids hang out all winter........as much as possible.........never enough!

I took this shot and then Malachy threw a rock near him and he got up and flew around us and overhead for about fve minutes. He was so fun to watch. It was as if he put on a show for us of all of his flying skills. Miranda and Malachy and I sure enjoyed his show!

Anne & Maddelyn told me that the florist called and said they had flowers for me. They said I could pick them up on my way home from the lake......this is what was waiting for me!

Aren't they sweet! They smell good, too! The card read:

I sure hope they are from my husband! :) He is out of town for four days............and is so not into presents or birthdays..........so, if it is him.....I AM surprised! :) I guess I will find out on Monday........

We got home..........and I meant to take a nap............but I ended up posting my daybook........and then organizing all of the photos off my camera so I could delete them.......and start fresh.

Eventually, someone asked what was for dinner........and I said I was too tired to cook. Garrett asked what I would make if I was not too tired............I told him I had some pork steaks in the fridge. He said, "If I were to make the steaks, what would I do first?" So, I told him..........and then when they were in the oven.......he cut up red potatoes and seasoned them and tossed them in olive oil.........two trays! Then he followed this with washing lettuce and preparing all of the veggie toppings for the salad. He prepared a salad bar. He made a lovely three-course meal..........ALL>BY>HIMSELF! And, he is only twelve!

I am so proud of him..........it was all delicious.

Then.........I ended the day by coming here.......and journaling my day.

Time to go to bed.........just in case I actually work tomorrow! (I didn't! phew!) Oh, my! It is almost midnight!

Love & Blessings!

Chari

The Winter of 2008......

...in pictures.

I only have a "lost & found" camera with thirteen pictures, but we have been using it, just to record that "we were here" until the new camera is chosen and purchased.

Here is our season, soon to end this month.

Sarah snowboarding, with the ever-present view of Mount Shasta

Maddelyn skiis

Snow, trees, sky.....at the ski park

Different angle


We had a very intersting storm in February, where the wind blew the snow drifts different than usual. Below are pictures to prove this point.

This view was taken outside my front door, from the level of a mouse

Another view out the front door.

Those are my chimes, a gift from Marty...they make beautiful Gregorian music in the wind storms. Lovely.

So, the girls room window looked like this. Usually it is because snow sticks to the window. This time, it was because the snow piled up in front of their window. Anne wrote that she was "living in a snow globe" :)

The boys room windows had just a bit less in front of the window.

A little color this winter, from a castle Malachy worked hard to build.

The Honda is almost missing under the snow drifts.





The view on the side of the garage.

The little building is our school room.....the rest belongs to the neighbors.

Another view of the almost missing Honda.

Two snow shovelers.......Matthew & Garrett......shoveled for four days.

There is often a wave on the south side of our house. Notice almost NO snow on the ground outside my bedroom window. The wave is about 4 feet high.

Same "happy" shovelers.

Kids all over the country are excited for snow days!

The kids at Our Hearts' Haven KNOW it is nothing to be excited about........it creates LOTS of work. :)

Well, truthfully.........they love the snow, the way it looks, the way it covers the slopes for skiing and boarding......but, it is a huge commitment to keep things cleared. Boy is Matthew going to be missed next winter. :) Especially since Marty has not needed to go on the roof for two seasons now........that will end in 2010.

Behind the house, the snow blocks the boys' window. This was an unusual drift for us.

Now you see behind the garage.....and the girls' window is blocked as well. The drift on the roof was different. It usually is not as tall, unless we get 8 feet.

More drifts behind the house. Some of the drifts were 8-10 feet........it was crazy. It kind of looked like peaks of whipping cream. BIG ones!

More drifts & peaks.

More......see how close to the roofline for that drift.

Another angle.....notice less snow on the ground.

Four foot drift on the roof.........waiting for Matthew to remove.

Even the old blue beast........Suburban........invited drifts.

Drift directly up close is the Honda from the front. There is our porch.

The boys dug a tunnel when they cleared the snow from behind the garage.

Another angle of the tunnel.........I hit my head hard lifting it too soon!

The tunnel actually had a cave in the side.......the dogs thought this was clever. :)

Ten-foot drift below, four-feet above..........Matthew starting to remove it.

Wider angle of all

Sadie standing while I dug out a path to the school room..........she was acting strange that day.......and kept right behind me.

Matthew up on top.......knocked out another 4-foot drift from above.

Same....

For some reason, Matthew purposely dumped snow on the tunnel!

The man-child.............well, he is 18 years old....I guess he is a man?

We sure are going to miss him!

Malachy worked hard to create a new friend all by himself. The snowman kit we got handed down from Shawna came in handy! Of course, the supplies were at risk from dogs who like to chew things.

Close-up....that's a fake carrot! I like how the hat chin-tie gives him a smiling face!

Looking for the tennis ball in the deep snow. :)

Work & play, side by side.

Malachy taking advantage of the ten feet!

At the bottom.

It's HARD work up there!

Close-up of Matthew working

Hey! I am taller than the roof!

In the down direction.

The next day, the bare-er spots melted enough for a nap.

Garrett took these dog photos........and woke them up here.

This was two days later........after more snow.

We can barely see the old blue beast.

What Garrett, Matthew and Malachy look like after three days of shoveling............one more came the next day!

Those storms above were in February.........a few days ago, already in March, I think.......we had one of those beautiful, perfect snowfalls.......whereby the snow came straight down, no wind, accumulating fast and furious. The snow was so light and soft. Reminded Marty & I of our Tahoe days. We used to go for late night walks in these kind of storms. These photos below are from that storm.

The flakes are falling.

The picnic table.....during the storm...this fell in about three hours.

The morning after........I was up before the sun rose.....as usual.

The morning after......our apple tree.....and orchard.




The view of the back of thr property.......orchard, berries, swingset & fort.

The view to the south, from my bedroom.

The view in the front of our house.

The picnic table the next morning.

The photos below were taken yesterday...........on the way to and at the ski park.

The view as you drive by on the freeway.

Mount Shasta, in her glory

A different angle of Mt. Shasta....as you climb up to the ski park.

As you drive upward, and come around a curve, there it is......glorious!

The "Face" of Douglas, a run at the ski park.

You can see Mount Lassen from the ski park parking lot.

The kids tell me the views from the tops of the runs and lifts are simply breathtaking.

Another take on Mount Lassen, another volcano in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

The ski park from the west end of the parking lot.

I was walking by and this little tree sticking out of the snow caught my eye.

It was only about 2 feet tall..........and had a great background!

I love taking different angles of Mount Shasta........especially in different seasons.

I am ready now......SPRING, let's go!

Love & blessings!

Chari