17 February 2016 - Snow Fun

Utah winters are interesting. This year we had a lot of snow, but because of the altitude, the sun (with the help of the brine solutions) keeps the roads clear and the air warm. In the dead of winter it isn't unusual to see joggers in shorts and t-shirts. Same with cyclists. That is a bit over the top in my world view but I admit to sitting in the sun on my porch with a cup of coffee. With the sun, I am plenty warm enough even though the temps might be in the high 20s to low 30s.  I will tell you that I am not wearing shorts and a t-shirt, but jeans and long-sleeved turtle neck are enough to stay warm. Move out of the sun and that is a whole other story. 

In my travels around the mountains I see people enjoying the winter and thought I'd share. Here skiing and sledding are the norm, but there are other winter activities. 

When the reservoirs freeze, little cities start popping up on the ice. Just out of the picture are at least 100 of these ice fishermen's tents. I just happened to like this red tent against all the white. 

Fisherman are a bit crazy. If they aren't drilling holes in the ice they are standing in freezing water. This man is fishing the same reservoir as above. If there is still some open water, I'm not sure I'd be out on the ice. I was amused that this guy is multi-tasking.

Out in the rural farmlands it is not unusual to find skaters. 

Guess I can't leave out the birders. 

Then there are the hunters. I was birding and saw a flock of birds far enough away I had to use my binocs to identify them. I was surprised to see they were decoys, but had to laugh when the hunter waved at me. Funny. 

On a particularly blinding sun-on-snow day, I was driving a snow-packed dirt road between two canyons. I was astonished to see two artists busy plein air painting. It was 27 degrees. The women were about two miles apart and neither knew the other was there. 

Can't leave out the big ice sculpures. Here are two of the many that pop up in the winter. And seriously, is there anything more cheerful than a red house or barn when the world is white? 

Just a few suggestions for the winter weary.