Another four inches of snow has fallen over the past week so there is now enough to explore the trails on skis. I dusted off the adventure skis; shorter and wider that a x-country ski and made for breaking trail. I had the skis out only once last year and am hoping to bring them out more often.

After dusting off the cobwebs from skis, poles and boots, I ventured to the Biodiversity Trail. It was developed as an interpretive trail; one that is meant to hike and explore so it would never be groomed and track set for skiing. That is where the adventure skis come in to play.

The snow was deep and fluffy. Branches on the shrubs and trees held snowflakes like ornaments on shelves. Animal tracks crisscrossed the trails and ponds. There were imprints of moose bodies in the snow where they rested overnight.

The forest was a winter wonderland. The morning sun shone through the trees, casting a warm glow on the fresh snow. Blue jays squawked and squirrels chattered.

My first outing created a trail and the second outing the next day was to enjoy what I missed the day prior as I watched for fallen logs and debris that may have been hidden under the snow. The weather was perfect. After going over my trail a second time, I think I'll be able to take my classic skis out the next time.

The trail is short but it is perfect for someone who hasn't skied in a while. There is nobody zipping by and it allows for a slow, enjoyable pace where I can stop and enjoy the scenery without feeling like I'm about to get run over by the experienced skiers.

My goal is to get out at least 3-4 times per week with either skis or snowshoes. Today will be a rest day. The muscles that I haven't used lately are telling me that they need to recuperate.

I was provided with some colorful beginnings to a number of days last week.

There was a post circulating by a magazine that asked how you begin your day. Mine begins the same way each morning. Open the curtains. Make a cup of coffee. Sit at the kitchen table and watch the sun come up. There were some very colorful mornings last week.

I love watching the intense color come through between the tree trunks. As the sun rises the clouds reflect the blues, pinks, oranges and yellows; making for a colorful canvas. As the sun rises the intense color fades and the show is done about the same time that the coffee is finished.

Early morning is my favorite time of day. All is calm and quiet. The animals are usually out on the trails; making for great photo opportunities. The smells are intense from the dew or the frost of the night before. 

Those who are not 'morning people' miss out on an amazing time of day. That's just my opinion; coming from a person who has had two cups of coffee before 6am.

What a difference a week can make. Winter has arrived and provided enough snow to x-country ski and snowshoe. Outstanding!

I had to play in the snow. There were no human tracks on the trails; only the woodland creatures were out before me. The air was crisp. The day was calm. My outing was amazing.

The fresh snow glistened when the sun came out from behind the clouds. It crunched under my boots. The sound of the squirrels and the birds echoed through the now leafless forest.

I love winter and all the activities that I choose to do to celebrate the ice and snow; snowshoeing, x-country skiing, kicksledding and skating on the outdoor rinks and ponds.

One has to be dressed for success, so to speak. You must ensure that you are comfortable, safe and warm before heading out. I use cleats on my boots because you never know where there is a patch of ice under the snow. Hiking poles provide stability on the winter walks. Fleece lined pants provide warmth. Lots of layers provide the ability to adjust your temperature by being able to add or subtract items. My fingers keep warm with a glove liner inside some fleece mittens. I also invested in a reusable pocket hand warmer that gets filled with lighter fluid. Once it is lit, it stays warm for hours and is used to warm up the digits when I stop for a rest.

My biggest 'beef' each winter when the snow begins to fall is that enough falls with the first storms so there is an ample layer to enjoy and this year I have no 'beef'. There is about eight inches of fluffy, flakes on the ground to enjoy.