Goodbye to 2015

It was crystalline cold this morning as Shyla and I headed out the door. The temperature hovered around zero but the wind was calm. Not a sound greeted us, aside from the squeaking of my fat bike tires on the cold snow, as we left our clearing. As always, I scanned for moose, although I saw none today. If anything, 2015 was the Year of the Moose for us.

Note the calf's eye peeking from below his mom's chin

This morning, clouds hovered on the eastern horizon so the sunlight flickered on and off just after sunrise. There was a moment of strong sun just after sunrise.

Just after that fleeting instant of sun, the clouds started moving westward up a valley toward us. At first, almost everything was obscured by them.

Then, much more of the landscape suddenly appeared. I loved watching the low clouds to the right on the horizon that were following the contours of the eastern hills.

Around the same time, I caught a glimpse of the sun as we rode through an aspen grove with ice encrusted branches.

It was a beautiful winter morning to say goodbye to 2015. For our pack, it was a good year, except for a few notable bad phases. However, I've learned that bad phases are part of life. They make the good phases even better!

We are ever grateful for our wonderful dogs who bring us smiles daily and for the incredible place we call home. I know how lucky we are.

And I am grateful for all my friends in Blogville. Thanks for visiting us and sticking with us through the good and the bad.  Have a safe and happy day, and I'll see you in 2016!