I was either going to wallow backwards, or do away, with the lingering 10% of the illness that was hanging around. It was not only extremely long lasting, it was an odd virus. It changed my taste where even a hint of hidden salt was unbearable, my sense of smell was hyper-sensitive, and of course my energy was completely zapped.
Week three since I got broadsided with "it" was a pre-planned Valentine's vacation snowmobiling in the north woods with my hubby. Only time would tell, if I would have the energy to handle the riggers of riding. It only took one day to know, it was exactly what I needed.
There is something about the woods that is healing for not only the body, but the soul.
We laughed. We rode. We enjoyed. Breathing in fresh air, and once again in complete awe of the endless beauty.
Maybe I just needed a change? You know, something to shake it up - or in this case shake it out.
We rode familiar trails on our first day, including up to the lookout...
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| Townsend Lookout |
It's a crazy ride up there, but the view is worth it. It's also my favorite place to take selfie's with the love of my life - who keeps me laughing...
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| Us |
When we ride the woods, fond memories fill our thoughts. Many include our horses, they are what led us to this magical place in life...
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| Love the Pines |
Most trails we ride in the winter can only be accessed by snowmobile. Some are private land, other's are closed snow covered backroads that weave throughout the woods, and a few are the same trails we horseback ride. One trail in particular we frequently explore with Nemo & Koda, is one of my favorites...
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| Last Fall |
In turn, during the other season's horseback riding gives us access to area's where motorized vehicles cannot. We don't travel as far but it doesn't matter, it's all about the experience. Our horses may not be with us during the winter trips, but they are always on our minds.
Our second day took us further north exploring new trails. The real beauty is seen while riding the remote areas, but pictures happen during breaks...
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| Intersection |
...where we meet unexpected new friends...
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| Pinocchio A friendly greeter on top of an intersection sign (in above photo). |
This ride ended with a new chilling experience. One for the memory banks. The kind that make for great story telling. As we headed back south towards the cabin the beautiful light snowfall, turned into unpredicted ice pellets! Coating our face masks, as fast as we could scrap them off. It was a looong, slooow blinding ride home...stopping at every intersection, and then some, to scrap off ice. We had to see somehow. Best use of a credit card I can think of! We passed a couple riders with heated face masks, even those didn't ward off the ice.
If you are going to play in nature's wonderland, you better be able to adapt to what ever get's thrown your way. It's all part of the outdoor experience. We finally made it back to the cabin where the cozy fireplace, and a hot shower, felt extra good!!
The food up north is outstanding, homemade & plentiful. One of our favorite friendly family run establishments is a quaint remodeled church, it's our breakfast place of choice...
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| Four Season's |
Valentine's Day was the best, most beautiful ride of this trip! We took the back route north, experiencing new area's. I am always amazed by how varied the terrain and trees are in the Nicolet National Forrest . This special ride was 125 blissful sunny miles through breathtaking beauty...surrounded by endless towering tree's, freshly painted with snow. Sigh.
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| Perfect Day |
I am feeling 100% now, literally out of the woods and really looking forward to riding Koda!!
6 comments:
So glad to hear you're felling better. That was a long time to be miserable.
Your ride looks amazing and beautiful sounds like it was just what you needed!
Sounds wonderful and I am glad you are healthy. I now that bug you got, we had it here last year. My Farm Buddy used to be totally addicted to chocolate chips, that disease "cured" it.
Oh, so glad you're feeling better!! So many people have said that this flu bug is especially nasty. Your trip sounds heavenly to me, especially right now when I'm about to pop a vein...so sick and tired of this nasty rain and wind. Ack! I've never ridden on a snow mobile before, but it sounds like so much fun. Hopefully someday I'll get to try it. Welcome back!!
Oh, it looks like fun. Well, maybe not with the ice pellets! It has been so long since I have been on a ski mobile - like 50 years or so!
Oh that sounds amazing!
Do you ever ride the horses there in the winter or is the prospect of towing them up there a bit insane?
Thanks much all, this trip was just what I needed!
Martine, Towing would be fine, our main roads are well cared for. But in WI all public trails close for horseback riding typically sometime in October/November. Winter riding can only be done on private land. It would be so amazing if you could ride horses in those woods in the winter, um except for the snowmobiles. Ours are terrified of them. We used to ride our snowmobiles across the field to do chores, even with helmets and machines turned off, our horses thought we were aliens from space!!
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