The week of lumbering has been OK, but not my best. Monday through Wednesday, snowshoes were needed to make things more efficient, and today (Thursday), I opted to strap on my Kahtoola Micro Spikes1 in an effort to speed up the lumber over the snow, which the Groomer Gal and her magic sled have packed down tight.2 And to be honest, I should have just used the snowshoes; there was a 0% improvement in my overall time, it was just less noisy.
I also continue to start in the dark, and on Wednesday, I hiked nearly 3 miles before I could turn off my headlamp! Most of that was due to the fact that it was misty and dark even after the sun had fully risen. It was a real “lights on in the house all day” sort of Wednesday. It was much different on Thursday when the sun (REAL SUNLIGHT!!) made an appearance and sped up the process.
All week, there have been the telltale signs of deer rooting around in the snow for grub. And in the shot I took of a couple of deer on Wednesday, one still had snow on its face from the rooting.
It reminded me of when I was a fat kid and was told NOT to eat any of the newly purchased powdered donuts in the kitchen. Which, being a fat kid looking for a minute of sugary joy, I most certainly did. Then, when my mother questioned me, I, of course, lied out of shame, and she said, “Jason, you have powdered sugar all over your face.” DOH!
On Thursday, as I passed an area where the deer had been foraging through the snow, a few Black Capped Chickadees were taking advantage of the freshly upturned snow and foliage to peck around looking for a snack—another fine example of critters helping critters.
Speaking of Black Capped Chickadees, I’ve often wondered how the hell the little birds stay warm through the frigid winters. Well, Lesley The Bird Nerd on YouTube dropped some knowledge on me, and now I’m sharing it with you—another fine example of critters helping critters. Just click the link.
One issue with the week has been some continued low back pain that I’ve been fighting for about a month. The back pain, along with a painful neck issue, came on during my near-daily leaf cleanups in the late fall.
I was able to take care of the neck issue by doing some YouTube doctor-recommended stretches (NO COPAY!), but the back pain is frigging relentless! Oddly, it only really flares up when sitting or standing. Hiking, running, sleeping, walking, and high-impact conjugal crime fighting don’t bother it all, but standing still or sitting in certain positions can have me gritting my teeth and muttering obscenities to myself as I self-medicate. Oh well, like an impacted turd, it’ll pass. Or I will.
Right now, I’m at 20.75 miles, and I hope to hit 25 miles tomorrow and hit my winter-shortened goal of 25 miles in 5 days. The shortened goal is, of course, part of the longstanding Winter Contingency Act, created by F.D.R. over 80 years ago. In the past, the winter mileage goal for active Americans mentally and physically beaten down by winter was shortened to 20 miles per week, but departmental budget cuts to the program by our current administration have increased the expected mileage to 25 miles.
Later.