Ring It In Right

How best to celebrate the New Year in a new place? By exploring it, of course. New Year's Eve found us driving north in search of home brew supplies to complete the kit Carl received for Christmas. After checking out a couple places we wound up just around the corner from the Rogue Creamery. They claim to make the world's finest handmade cheese; as discerning dairy consumers and chronic sceptics we simply had to test their hypothesis. Several samples of blue cheeses and the best sharp cheddar I've ever had later, they just might be right. We walked out with our wares only to discover wine tasting right next door. The wonderful older couple working the counter told us all about the grapes they grow on their land up near Jacksonville, describing each medley as they poured for us. Thanking them, we continued on to the next building and found handmade chocolates. Fully sated, loaded with goodies, we headed home where I whipped up some leek and potato soup from all local veggies to ring in the New Year. What's not to love about a place where all these wonderful tastes are created right in your backyard?

Carl and I turned in early so as to get a good start on the new year. He was up early as ever despite being out of coffee; Bubba and I muddled our way groggily out of bed as per usual. The clear, frosty morning made for a gorgeous drive east on the road towards Klamath Falls. The trees got denser and taller, the snowbanks grew higher, and before we knew it we were in a veritable winter wonderland.

Our chosen trail head took off from the road right at the borders of the Rogue River and Winema National Forests, just south of Sky Lakes Wilderness. We had the parking lot to ourselves except for one other truck. Carl spent a couple minutes adjusting his new snowshoes before we set off into winter.

Bubba was anxious to get going.

Since any blazes or signage was covered by the feet of snow, we followed an old track up into the woods. For once Bubba had to do twice as much work scouting out the trail and then reporting back.

He managed to find a hole on one mission...

...extrication successful!

Hiking out of a creek bed on our way back to the truck.

We stopped at Fish Lake to check it out. Mt. Brown is hiding in the clouds.

We're back home with tired legs and an exhausted dog, sun burnt noses and a much better appreciation of the lay of the land. Here's wishing you and yours a happy 2011 - may it be the best one yet!