We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

• Native American Proverb

I say icy because it was icy in spots on my hike. Steps, trails, water, the ice was everywhere. I have never hiked in this area in winter. It was too mild the last few years, or it was closed for hunting or there were a million reasons. I spent 3 hours hiking, it was cold, it was sunny, but most of all it was peaceful. Hardly anyone until the end when some kids improperly dressed for the weather and carrying on ruined the serenity. I was dressed warm enough and once I got going, there were times I was too warm.

I took way to many photos. One of those times that had I been shooting film I would be sending it off in batches to save money. Digital has made a world of difference. I try to shoot as I remember, from my film days, setting to over-expose here and under-expose there. Look at the image on the screen and then adjust and shoot. If you have to check the screen after every shot, you do not have confidence in your ability and you need to practice some more. And while I shot a little over 200 images, I could have fired off 10 times that and thought nothing of it. Except the editing part, that is why I am doing this project. Do better by relearning and concentrating on better images, saving time and becoming a better photographer.

I kept going back to this image, in the distance there are some hikers, and the play of light and footsteps on the snow just seemed like a great combination showing you all that the area has to offer, inviting you in and making you want to wander around. Three hours hiking and the image I kept going back to is this one I took at the very end of my hike before I headed back up that huge ass staircase and to my car to come home. You know I also thought of all the talk of sand mining and just wondered how you could want to destroy a place like this. That is all I am going to say about that. The scenery we have in our backyard is breathtaking. Take time and enjoy it!