Hi Dean and Edgar - and all...
Yep, Dean - the mossy woods are incredible. It's almost like you don't dare step on the forest floor given that you'll disturb the moss and leave a footprint. It's as pristine a place as you will ever see...
Edgar - where I'm staying and where I'm hunting are two different places - so, I'm guessing Jen and I have driven past your place on Lily Bay Road at least a dozen times - maybe more... I did go to the local spot down by Big Wilson Stream and Wilson Pond - but, it was too crowded with two trucks parked along Outer Pleasant after the power line cut..? So , Jen and I and the dogs hunted up more by Burnham Pond and Little Indian Pond (Little Indian you can get lost getting to - unless a local shows you the secret
)
Anyway - today was an outstanding finale to the week. I snowed last evening - just enough to let you know winter is about to arrive hard. We left the cabin as the sun rose and headed out with the mercury hovering at a mild 21F. We just arrived home a few minutes ago (just after 3PM) as the sun is headed down behind the mountains...
But today? Was a day which paints memories in the mind as to why we do all this - the Parker thing. The hunting thing. The dog thing. Crisp mornings, the quiet of the forest, new snow - all set the stage. A fine old double just "feels right" as well - or moreso - is "just right"...
Can't wait until next year - and was reminded of that on the way out of one of the timber areas as we left the final hunting spot today.... Why do I say that???
We were the only people in that area today - as out tire tracks and footprints were the only ones in the snow from our entry early in the AM. On the way out - a Grouse strutted across the road not 20 feet in front of the jeep. It didn't run. It didn't take flight. It "strutted" right across the road.
I stopped the jeep and just watched as it meandered into the tickets on the other side of the road - and I muttered to mostly myself - "I'll see you next year".
Being up here is just sort'a like that....
Magical.
John
Here are a few pictures from today - where we hunted without another living sole around for miles....