Sleigh Ride

There's a wonderful place I'm going to tell you about. And if you like sleigh rides,viewing elk and going to a log cabin in the middle of woods to have a hot meal - then you will like this place!

Last winter, we went to Thunder Bay Resort located in Hillman, Michigan. It was like stepping back into frontier times! We hopped onto a sleigh and were given blankets. From there we were whisked through the woods by these beautiful horses above. We stopped to view their fenced elk herd and snapped some photos. Then we were off on our sleigh ride again through all these beautiful trees.

Next stop was the log cabin, hidden in woods where a blazing fire and a gourmet meal awaited us. We had a 5 course meal which included a crown roast of pork cooked on an antique wood burning stove. It was so delicious and the hosts were wonderful. I loved hearing their stories and information on the elk herd. I felt like I had stepped into a Currier & Ives painting and wanted to do this again. I would highly recommend this experience and I hope you get to do it one winter night.

A small hidden creek

"Creeks and ponds are great, as long as they have water in them."
- Thomas Murphy

This is a small creek I discovered on our land. We are on a small lake so this creek was a nice surprise. I can't wait to see what spring brings. Can you see the 2 Mourning Doves hidden in the branches?

My Computer Crashed!

My computer crashed this week and I am desperately trying to find a service that can at least recover my photos. The Geek Squad at Best Buy did not come through. Looks like I will be getting a new computer. I hope to be back in action next week (hubby is kind enough to let me use his work computer when he is able) and I'll be back to catch up with all of your blogs. Wish me luck!

Wild Ducks

Wild ducks and tomorrow both come without calling.

- Russian Proverb

Winter Dusk

“People live for the dream in their hearts. And I have yet to know anyone who has not some secret dream, some hope, however dim, some storied wall to look at in the dusk, some painted window leading to the soul.”

-Zane Grey

Horses in winter

"He that can travel well afoot, keeps a good horse."

-Benjamin Franklin

Ready to launch

The White-breasted Nuthatch is a comical bird in my opinion. With the way he creeps down the tree headfirst and his nasal "what, what" call to let you know he's arrived. In the winter you will often find them "hanging out" with the Black-capped Chickadees at the feeders.

Snowy Nose

This little guy was raiding my bird feeders all morning. I let him. He looked so cold and I knew he was hungry. This isn't a sharp photo but I liked the snow on his face. Hoping for warmer days ahead for my black squirrel!

Farm in Gaylord

“Only he can understand what a farm is, what a country is, who shall have sacrificed part of himself to his farm or country, fought to save it, struggled to make it beautiful. Only then will the love of farm or country fill his heart.”

- Antoine de Saint-Exupery quotes (French Pilot, Writer and Author of 'The Little Prince', 1900-1944)

Juvenile Bald Eagle in Flight

“Eagles: When they walk, they stumble. They are not what one would call graceful. They were not designed to walk. They fly. And when they fly, oh, how they fly, so free, so graceful. They see from the sky what we never see.”

- Author unknown

Elk

"All good things are wild, and free."

-Henry David Thoreau

Downy Woodpecker

I like to post my northern Michigan birds here for those who don't make it to my birding blog. The Downy Woodpecker is a year round visitor to Michigan and enjoys suet very much. They are the smallest and most common American woodpecker. I always find them to be such pleasant company with their beautiful colors and their sharp "pik" sound.

Happy New Year!

"January is here, with eyes that keenly glow,
A frost-mailed warrior
striding a shadowy steed of snow."

- Edgar Fawcett