We weren't the least bit interested in experiencing a repeat of yesterday's excitement on the icy trails in the ravine for today. And although today was considerably milder, at 2C, than yesterday's -4C, little wind and plenty of sun, we anticipated that the  trails would still be treacherous. Not so bad in flat areas, but on the hillsides, too exciting altogether for our 87-year-old armatures.

 

 

We really didn't want to use the new crampons yet because they're just too heavy-duty. Walking on hard concrete like the roads wouldn't do them much credit either; for one thing it would mean a quick wearing-down of their properties, not to mention feeling pretty awkward walking on the raw concrete road surface bare of snow and ice. So we decided to use the old, much lighter rubber pull-on icers, and we set off with confidence early this afternoon for the ravine.

 

 

Disconcertingly, before there's a layer of snow on the forest floor, the forest interior even before 3:00 in the afternoon assumes a dusky appearance other than in areas where the forest canopy recedes briefly admitting a full measure of the sun's bright atmosphere.

 

 

Because it was early and since it was such a beautiful day we decided to stay out longer and forge ahead for a much longer trail hike through the woods. At first we saw no one else out, attributing it to the icy conditions underfoot, but after the first half-hour, we began to see others on the trails. And where people are out in the ravine, so too are their quadruped family members. 

 

Now and again, one or another of our hail-doggy-well-met friends would lope over to say hello and wait for recognition which was never long in coming. Big or small, they're always well-mannered and respectful, with rare exceptions. And even those rare exceptions are so ingratiating in their manner that it hardly matters when they leap up since an admonishment will see them once again seated obediently. It works beautifully for other dogs, but never for ours.

 

Of the people we did see out, many avoided the hills and the ascents and descents that required an effort to remain erect, confining themselves to the forested areas that were flat and above the ravine itself. We had the luxury of going wherever we felt inclined to, thanks to the icers. Inconveniently though, because of the unevenness of the terrain, the rocks and roots that we invariably have to negotiate, one of Irving's icers parted company with his boot on several occasions.

 

And it's a right royal pain to have to restore the things to their proper position when you're out in the forest, and dressed in winter gear. At one point, near the final portion of our day's outing, the problematic icer fell off just as we were ascending the next-to-last hill. And just then, one of our furry friends, always excitable because that's its character, charged at Irving in its anxiety for a cookie, threw him off balance, and he almost fell, caught by a helpful tree trunk.

So there was a modicum of drama in today's outing, after all.