It’s been incredibly fun and oh-so-good getting back into our outdoor groove again now that house renovations are finalizing. This has meant bigger outings and extra vigorous trekking, which has increased with excitement by fresh snow recently. I’ve always loved Winter, especially since I didn’t get to enjoy a true snow and four seasons, living in Southern California most of my life, but I’ve always really not liked all those layers and found myself bored with the usual winter wear (and hiking gear in general). I’ve mixed things up a bit here and there, but this year I vowed to make Winter (especially) fun and to reflect the inspiration and feelings it brings up in me that mirror my inner child.

Hence, you’ve been seeing a lot more unique colors and joyous vibes coming through my own unique style that showcases my heart on my sleeve – literally! No reason not to be all warm and giggly inside and out and to share with Nature how she makes me feel, even if she’s showcasing a white gown.

After all, they don’t call it a Winter “Wonderland” for nothing!

Trekking in the snow is a lot more effort (at least 2x’s as much and sometimes 3x’s if really deep snow and lots of elevation climbing is involved). So, where you might do more miles in the other seasons, less miles can equal the same in Winter.

That said, we’ve recently upped our game and took on the snow with vigor, doing 5-8 miles at a time.

You saw our recent snow shoe hike where we met up with our favorite little tree, which we named Tiny Tim after Cosmo’s nickname and our enchanting more tame terrain hike.

And yesterday it was a snow hike extravaganza up to High Meadows!

I’d like to call this “the snow hike we didn’t know we’d be doing” that ended up as an 8 mile adventure climbing 1470 feet.

It was a three hour tour into “beyond sunset” without the ship wreck, but was filled with giggles and enchanting nature surprises.

Our group made me the deciding factor to choose between either the easier route at the fork or the longer climbing route.

The “cappy” me (Capricorn mountain goat) said, “let’s go up!”

And we did.

Troopers everyone was on quite the trek!

I was trying out my new mega snow hikers for the first time, which rocked! We all wore crampons, but my hardcore shoes would have totally taken on all of it without them. I don’t know if it was them or if I was just on fire, but I conquered this climb and hike like never before and even better than in the warmer weather, which is quite something with snow and the increased amount of energy and effort this takes.

Or, maybe it was simply my “cappy” go-get-em attitude that’s been anchoring in more.

Another change I’ve been noticing is how hot I get when I’m in active mode. So much so I have learned not to layer up like crazy because I end up sweating and very uncomfortable. So I wear lighter layers and ones that will leave me the most comfortable. I actually had a tank top under my sweater this time and that suited me just fine! I’m usually the first and many times, the only one stripping off layers.

I feel like this increase indicates an increase in the energy I am channeling within and perhaps that is being mirrored in my dying cell phone – this time the battery is blowing out, which is why most of the photos recently you see are taken with Dave’s cell phone or Sharon’s (in the case of this post) because my cell phone dies and is useless anymore. I’ll be either getting a new super-charged battery to match my own inner energizer bunny battery within, or a whole new more robust energy one that can handle things and not poop out.

In any case, I’m noticing a lot of shifts energetically that are reflecting in physical and outer changes, as well as a “more me” embodiment inside and out than ever before, which includes the child and otherworldly me who is just overtly expressive of sharing my frequency with joy.

And speaking of that joy and oh how Nature brings out the best in me.

Moss and me = Faery weeeeee!

Loved this little moss, lichen, and icicle enclave we stumbled upon up the climb.

It was SO magickal!

And it was so me!

“The self must know stillness before it can discover its true song.” ~Ralph Blum