Lost (my mind) in the Blizzard

Sam had class this morning and lab in the afternoon. Thankfully, Rick was able to telecommute so I had all-wheel drive for the chauffeuring duties. I was in control for all of the drive; the only issues were other drivers and visibility. It did mean that I didn't get out to play in the snow till after dark.

I strapped on my snowshoes, knowing it was going to be tough going. At least I got to be right! Where I could see our previous path, it was slow going, much like after the last big storm. Where I couldn't tell because it was totally filled in and drifted over, I was sinking to mid-thigh. I haven't looked at the garmin data yet, but remember seeing something like .56 miles at 25 minutes. To be fair, I wasn't dilly-dallying, but I was trimming back branches that were now in my face (the added height of the snow and the weight of the snow on the branches put a lot more at eye level).

As I struggled in some really deep drifts in the far field, my mind started having some funny thoughts. I was along the woods where we see most of the coyote tracks . I was thinking about how I must look like a floundering animal (I really was one). Then I remembered sticking up for the coyotes recently on FB against people hunting them. In fact, I always stick up for them even though I'm pretty sure I've lost two precious kitties to them. THEN, I started wondering if the universe could pass up on the irony of having me attacked by the canine. I'm not easily spooked, but this was hard to shake. It just seemed too perfect.

Fortunately, my funny bone began to outdo my fear. And I made it to where I knew snowmobiles travel. I stopped sinking so deeply and my pace improved. When I got to the power lines, I could actually run, slowly, to be sure. Before heading home, I did several back-and-forths on this stretch just to feel like I'd run.

Back home, I was surprised to find I was only out there 55 minutes. So I stayed out packing down paths for Spot and Ally.
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