12.29 - Snowstorm

12.29.12 Snowstorm • © Margaret Helthaler

12.28 - Northern View of Rondout Reservoir

12.28.12 Northern View 1 • © Margaret Helthaler

12.28.12 Northern View 2 • © Margaret Helthaler

I usually walk along the northwest end of the Rondout Reservoir on route 55A, so while I did not have time for a walk this morning, I did take the opportunity to stop along route 55 while running errands to capture the wintery view from the southwest end...

12.26 - Christmas Tree Farm

12.26.12 Xmas Tree Farm • © Margaret Helthaler

12.26.12 Xmas Tree Farm • © Margaret Helthaler

I took a brief hiatus from my morning meanderings during the rush of the Christmas holiday, but I am now ready to get back in the game. In spite of this morning's frigid temps (a mere 23 degrees) my friend and I decided to take a route we'd been meaning to visit for a few months: Yeagerville Road - specifically the stretch of road that runs through a Christmas tree farm offering an expansive view of the rolling Southern Catskills and Shawangunk Ridge. The panorama was worth the steep incline. :)

12.14 - Frosty Branches

12.14.12 Frosty Branches • © Margaret Helthaler

The sun was just beginning to touch the south side of Thunder Hill Road as I opted to walk in a western direction this morning - revealing a bedazzling array of crystal coated branches in the early morning light.

12.13 - Passages

12.13.12 Passages • © Margaret Helthaler

I learned of an old friend's passing this morning - which gives this frost covered path bathed in wintery light a special significance. His 47 years with us were too brief... Each day truly is a gift.

12.7 - Oh Christmas Tree...

12.7.12 Oh Christmas Tree... • © Margaret Helthaler

A lone little pine sapling makes a stand among the roadside weeds...

12.6 - COLD!

12.6.12 COLD! • © Margaret Helthaler

The damp air made the 20 degree temps feel especially frigid this morning...

12.5 - December Light

12.3.12 December Light • © Margaret Helthaler

12.5.12 December Light • Margaret Helthaler

I have been off track with my morning meanderings these last few weeks as a result of work, travel and a bad case of tendonitis in my wrist. I've also felt  uninspired by the gray December landscape... But the golden kiss of early  winter light is always appealing - so I am grateful for sunny mornings...