Report from the Winter Escape. . .

 

First view of the Great Smokey Mountains

Well. Our winter escape trip has definitely been a snow escape, but wintry temperatures followed us all the way to Asheville North Carolina. I exaggerate a bit. It was cold both day and night through Blacksburg VA, but the day temperatures have been in the 40's and 50's since arriving in Asheville. We also had a beautiful day on the way down, visiting John's sister in Fairfield PA. 

Hellebores in M's garden

I couldn't help but notice that our beloved central Maine is expecting snow this coming weekend. We won't be home at that point, but it makes the point that last winter (when we returned in late March to all snow melted and gone) really was a mild one. Or at least, a shortish one for the area. Some Maine hiking friends are also on vacations to warmer climes, so I don't feel like SUCH a weenie for wanting to see soil and feel sun for a bit. 

Early in the trip, Jasper developed a nasty limp in his right back leg. We think it was a result of snow-leaping in Bennington VT.

Virginia forest in early spring

Bennington was a wonderful surprise. We stayed at The Paradise Inn, an old-fashioned resort hotel, complete with pickle ball court, swimming pool, and a ton of outdoor spaces designed for warm weather activity and interaction. It reminded us of a movie from the Poconos in it's heyday. When I walked into the lobby to check in, I was greet by a Golden Retriever named Taylor. The hosts were great, and the room was fabulous, with a slider that went outside, and large grounds for strolls whenever we felt the need. 

View from our room at The Paradise

Jasper was limping pretty badly at that point, so it was great to be able to take a bunch of short walks rather than our usual extended hikes. Let me say that limps in dogs have resulted in Very Bad things in our experience. Lacey's limp turned out to be a terrible case of hip displasia, and Moxie's was an osteosarcoma that signaled the cancer that soon took her life. Fortunately, Jasper's has healed, slowly over several days, so we're cautiously optimistic that it was a pulled muscle. The snow was pretty fabulous.Note to self: Old dogs should be careful about ecstatic leaping. . .

Water. Always welcome. . .

The snow disappeared as we moved southwest, and we were delighted to arrive in Harrisonburg VA and find it a very fun town. It's home to James Madison University, which was larger than we had expected. Lots of nice eateries, though it still wasn't warm enough to eat on a patio with Jasper. He's a very tolerant boy, though, and I think the back seat of the car feels like a large crate to him. Not that I ever am comfortable caging him, but sometimes needs must.

While the daytime temperatures warmed, the night temperatures were well below freezing. We were heating up on one Asheville hike, but the cold night temperatures were still obvious by the icicles on some of the rock formations.

Icicles in the forest

 

 

Still, signs of spring are everywhere. Birdsong is much more complex than at home, and the groundcovers are exploding from the soil. A welcome sight. Jasper seems to be completely healed, no residual swelling, and he is walking over 2 hours with no more apparent discomfort, though his age is showing. He'll walk as far as we ask him to, but only cavorts for an hour or so. Which is ok. No more pulled muscles!

Si

Today is our last full day in the Asheville Airbnb, which is a terrific place. It was drizzly when we woke, so John went fishing, and Jasper and I stayed here to take care of some details, which always take me longer than I expect them to. We may go to the Biltmore Gardens this afternoon, but regardless, we'll start wending our way back north tomorrow. Lots of stops on the way, so the trip is still in play. Afoot, as the famous detective said. . .