Magic on the mountain

We've had a lot more snow this year in the Atlanta area than we usually get. It has been very pretty, lots of fun for the kids, and a huge hassle for anyone who has to leave the house for a job or school or appointments. We're just not equipped down here for snow. Our road crews can't keep the roads clear - they don't have the machinery or supplies. After all, it hardly ever happens here, so that's an area where local governments can trim a few dollars and usually not get burned. Or iced.

When I can, I love to walk at Kennesaw Mountain, a very popular National Battlefield with some lovely trails not too far from home. I was there recently on a cold grey morning for a walk and I was thinking about how pretty it was. I love the woods in winter, when you can see so far without dense vegetation blocking your view. The repetition of the  grey-brown tree trunks was occasionally accented with the bright blue and red of blue birds and cardinals getting an early start to spring. I thought about how pretty it would be covered in snow. I would love to see that, but I thought I probably never would since I have to drive to get to the base of the mountain, and when it snows here it is ususally too icy to drive anywhere, too icy to get out of my driveway to drive over for a hike. When it warms enough to melt the ice on the roads, the snow soon disappears. So, I thought, it would be lovely, but I'll just have to imagine it because I will never see it. In earlier times, before children, when Rich and I used to backpack, we experienced snow in the backcountry on several occasions and it was magical. But, I thought, those memories are as close as I will get to that experience again.

Amazingly, only three days later, we received an overnight dusting of snow. It was only an inch at best, probably closer to half an inch. But it did not stick on the roads so schedules at local schools and businesses were not affected. We could move! As soon as I delivered Zach to school I began planning my quick trip over to the Mountain. Amy was still sleeping - the advantage of homeschool. I woke her and asked if she wanted to go with me, but to my great surprise, she wanted to sleep some more instead - the disadvantage of being a teenager. So I mumbled something about what a mistake she was making, how this was a special moment not to be missed, and hurried off to walk in the woods.

It was very special, and I'm so glad I didn't miss it.

Snow at Kennesaw Mountain, Thursday morning, Feb 10, 2011

 

I usually see quite a few people on the trails at this popular national park, but very few were out this morning. They missed a special treat.

Looking north from the top of Kennesaw Mountain. You can tell that this was a very light dusting - hardly any snow is visible in the distance.

I saw a deer running down this trail, but I was not quick enough to capture it with my camera.

Heading home now. I still can't believe Amy slept instead of coming with me. She missed a real treat. Ahh, but she is young. Lots of snow days ahead for her. There may not be that many more for me, so I'm glad I got to experience this one at the mountain. It was magical!

It won't be long now til the redbuds and the forsythia, the cherry and the dogwood blossoms take over the mountain. More magic to come - can't wait!