Pond Keepers: Creature Collecting in Snow

Again, this snow is really cramping my Pond Keeper collecting style...I guess I won't be scooping goop for another few days...

Will we ever have a Pond Keepers program this spring?!?

TheChristyBel

Louisa Pond

No Access Today

Coxing is Frozen Solid...Even the Falls

Foothills House is Closed for Collecting

Nope.

Winter Storm Stella

This winter has been very different from last year's winter - there is more snow! After Niko, I thought that spring would be coming upon us...however, that is not the case. Winter Storm Stella closed the Preserve for 2-days giving us about 16+ inches of snow. I worked from home, cuddled the Ted, had a constant fire going, and just waited for the plow to come and shovel me out of the house. I really hope this is the last snow - Pond Keepers is coming up and I really would like to get into the ponds!

The Solar Panels would avalanche snow onto our front doorway...literally snowing me in!

Ted Trying to Help Me Work!

Just keeps piling up!

Ted Getting Stir Crazy

Post-Plow

Bertha is Halfway Covered!

Had to Make a Tunnel to the Front Door

Snow Day on the Mountain

It was snowing!
Mohonk Lake in Total Narnia Filter!

Foxfire Family Tradition 2016

The 2016 Foxfire Family Photo
Love is Love is Love is Love

We Have Been Family Way Before 2012

Mohonk Lake: Winter Style

Mohonk Lake, Frozen Over!

So Pretty!

Happy Holidays From the DSRC

Happy Holidays from the DSRC!
(The Wreath was Purchased, but I Decorated It)

Ginger Bread Houses

So since it is the holidays, this time of year calls for lots of food, fun, and festivities. Full of holiday parties and getting together with loved ones and friends, these are opportunities for lots of food, fun, and festivity. Around town, we have been seeing some excellent examples of gingerbread houses. This afternoon, we went to one of my co-workers' houses, and made our own. Check out our dream gingerbread home! And some examples from elsewhere in town!

TheChristyBel

My Chimney Work on Our Gingerbread House

Our Front Door
Check Out Marc's Excellent Shingling on the Roof!

Summer Houses at the Mountain House

A Replica From a German Castle at the Brauhaus!

The Mohonk Winter Scene

The Wintery View From The Mountain House Patio

My Mohonk Lake View Is Much Different Than My Summer View!

Little Blue Hates Winter

You would think, not being in the mountains of the west, we would be done with snow in April. Right? Wouldn't you think that? Well turns out, even though I am back east, I am still in the mountains, and the mountains still get snow at times, even in April. Well, it snowed pretty lightly while I was at work this morning. As my workday continued, the snow continued to fall and it started to get heavier. If you know my car, Little Blue, well, she is just not a snow bunny. So, I thought it would be a good idea to leave work early and get home before it starts getting even heavier. Little did I know, that is not the best idea. Wait until the work day is over and stay at work until the plow comes (especially when you live on a hill).

Yes, I think you can tell where this is going. So I left work. All was fine until I was on the LAST stretch before home. Living at the bottom of a hill, you need to travel down before you get home. And there are two ways to get to our house...either way, you must travel on a hill...

As I prepped myself to go slow down the hill, Little Blue lost traction and began to slide. Even trying to turn the wheels opposite would not have helped. She slid and aimed for a ditch. Luckily, I was slid pretty much right next to a house, walked up, and called for a tow.

It took about an hour or so to get the tow to the site, rigged up, and back to my house. After examining the car, it looked like there was not a lot of damage, just a lot of mud, and a bunch of pieces to the cosmetic bumper. But nothing else...however, when you turned the engine on, it was the loudest roar I had ever heard come from Little Blue. And then, in that moment, I knew...I knew Little Blue's life would change and I knew...it was time to get a new car (in the near future).

When we took the car to our repair shop, they said there was almost $1,000 worth of damage and a long line of close-observing and maintenance to follow. With that, I finally bit my lip and began looking at new cars. Oh, the joys of being an adult, but at the same time, I am finally going to be looking for a car that I really want and feel meets the needs for my lifestyle...so, to be continued!

TheChristyBel

A Birdy Snow Day

Winter here has been great! Want to know why?!? I have been able to put out bird feeders and bring a little bit of nature closer to my window. The bird feeder is a great idea to help you familiarize yourself with the types of birds you have in your area. It has been really helping me get reacquainted with east coast birds. Check out what I have seen so far! Special Thanks for Mr. Marc Sweet for his photos! Bino shots are me!

TheChristyBel

Dark-Eyed Juncos

Tufted Titmouse

Female Cardinal - Part I

Female Cardinal - Part II

Red-Bellied Woodpecker - Part I

Red-Bellied Woodpecker - Part II

Oh and even though the next picture is not a bird, it's a cute little Tedders!

Cuddle Tedders Time!

Chilly Morning

Temperatures here in the Gunks are not as frigid as they are back west. I think we have only gone below 0 degrees a handfull of times, but it has been really cold here. The humidity really plays a role in how cold the east is - it's bone-chilling cold! I am not sure if I like it.

But as I look from my office window at the Daniel Smiley Research Center, the ice crystals are just so beauitful and makes me really appreciate being inside and admiring the cold and winter from a warm room.

TheChristyBel

It's a Bit Chilly Outside

Finally Using My JHMR Season's Pass

Last Thursday, Marc was off from instructing and I was in desperate need of a brain break from writing my Master's paper. So we both were able to test out my winter legs again and do some personal runs on the mountain!

Let me just say I was really worried about riding down at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. It just appears so intimidating compared to where I was at last year at Targhee. But Marc was pretty patient and allowed me to try a green before heading up the gondola! haha. So we took Teewinot up and I did a green run - totally had to remember what my legs, body, and feet were supposed to do...but got down the mountain very easily. So off my snowboard went, we unclipped and climbed into the Gondola. We were going to meet our friend, Sarah, at the Casper lift for lunch. Most of the paths to get there are blues and double-blues, which is where I left my skill level back at Targhee in April.

Simply just took my time working on turning and controlling how fast I wanted to go as we made our way down some traverses and down to the Casper lift. Not only did I survive my first time riding the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort's runs but I enjoyed it! Not to mention had a few tumbles, but it was super entertaining for Marc to watch as I did fall, I mean, 'starfish' on a traverse and maybe fall when I was getting into the lift line...and...getting off the lift. All laughs everywhere and in between though!

Also, throughout my days where I was scheduled to work at the Pioneers' Kid Ranch - I was able to go straight from work to some snowboard breaks. Have not done any Blacks yet - I want to continue my technique and build up confidence on these blues. I'll get there - will just take some time and practice. And of course, I am still liking it! Oh....and PS....my knees are doing great!

TheChristyBel

Top of the Hanna Run - Midway Down from Apres Vous

Longwood Gardens Christmas

Christmas Trees in the Main Observatory Room

A Peacock Masquerade Themed Tree!

Since I have been home, it has been non-stop making rounds to visiting some of my favorite people and places. But, I was able to get a visit that I did not expect: a visit from Whitney! She was willing to travel all the way down from Connecticut just so we could hang out. I have not seen this girl since we both stopped marching and dancing with Alter Ego in April of 2012.

After almost two and a half years of being separated, we were finally able to be reunited! Whitney arrived in Delaware around 11:00pm EST and we literally talked and caught up until 3am! It was awesome! We can literally pick up right where we left off, even after 2-years - from reminiscing about dance and guard to art to eduction and teaching to everything in between.

It was such a treat getting back together with Whit! The next day, I took her to Longwood Gardens. She has a degree and love for plants/botany, so I thought that it would be a great idea for her to visit Longwood, especially in the winter time with all the Christmas decor up! She absolutely loved it!

It was great to walk around the Longwood Grounds, catch up, see the beautiful decorations, and also nerd out over plants! It was so awesome! I definitely learned a lot from Whitney about the plants that Longwood used in many of their gardens, decorations, and in their exotic botany research. She will definitely make a wonderful teacher!

Even though less than 24-hours with Whitney was such a wonderful treat to come back to the East Coast to, it was definitely not enough. But, I'll be seeing her again soon when we head to New Mexico for Aud's wedding next fall. So we will soon be reunited again! Thanks for a wonderful visit, Whit! Xo

Enjoy the rest of the photos from our adventures at Longwood!

TheChristyBel

Cardinals Cover the Pierre House Tree!

Cardinals in Flight

Thomas the Tank Engine!

Being a Penguin in the Desert Room?! What?

Oh My Gosh....How Freaking Precious?!?!
Totally Making These Ornaments One Day!

Birds of Paradise in the Rainforest!

Two of Our Three Panty Party AE Girls!
Audrey, We Wish You Were Here!

Welcome to Winter...Again!

Woke up and there was frost all over my windows and my thermometer on my window said 'Lo.' So I went online and this is what The Weather Channel said it was outside.

Can you believe this?!?!? I am totally not ready for the extreme weather yet! It's also a good thing that I have heat in my apartment!

It just makes me remember the cold cabin of Cloudveil back at Teton Science Schools. And it made me wonder how Paige is doing (the current grad that is living in my old cabin)!

Stay Warm, everyone!

Welcome back to winter, ChristyBel! 

A Chilly Day in the Tetons

First, Shout Out to My Mom!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!!!

Wish I was there. :(

Love You!

This week, the entire cohort has been stationed on the Kelly Campus for our second and final week of Place-Based Education.  The best part about this, besides learning different place-based educational theories and methods, is that we get some great views and some time to explore around the campus.  Enjoy the photos from yesterday and today. :)

This was taken yesterday morning, a beautiful sunrise on Linda's Anniversary.

This was this morning's sunrise...extraordinarily gorgeous.

When hanging out in my 'special spot' for place-based education,
I found this next to me: evidence of beaver activity!

After class today, Mandy, Annie, and I took a 3.4 mi walk up and down Ditch Creek Road (basically from Kelly Campus to the end of the road and back).  Saw about 8 moose along the way, but the view of the Tetons was really pretty today.  So I took some photos, of course!

Starting the Sunset on Ditch Creek Road

Closer View

Alright...so since the winter season is upon us, not only is there snow, but there is ice...and well, since I am learning all things and activities that are snow related...maybe I should learn how to skate?!

So first, must try to skate with hiking boots!

TheChristyBel attempting to skate with her hiking boots!

Hope you enjoyed some moments from the past two days!

TheChristyBel

Going Down!