March 17, 2019 Our St. Patrick's Day Hike at Snow Covered Sweet Woods

I love the change of seasons. Even though I work outside for my job, I love winter. But I am sick and tired of winter by mid March. Early this morning a heavy wet snowfall was clinging to everything it landed on. The photographer in me loves winter scenes like this morning. The old man who no longer wants to see snow anymore wants to stay inside until it reaches 60 degrees. But the old man pictured above is thrilled that it is snowing and is giving me that "let's go hiking somewhere in the snow" look. Since there is an increasing chance Oslo may not make it to next winter....

....we arrive at Sweet Woods for a hike in this monochromatic winter wonderland.

It really is a beautiful morning for a hike with all the trees covered with snow.

The Cook County Forest Preserve paved this trail about five years ago. It now connects to the Old Plank Road Trail in Park Forest. 

So I can bike from Lansing Woods to Joliet without riding on a street.

This bridge was added when this former horse trail was paved.

A girl and her dog enjoying a walk in the woods.

Thorn Creek is running high and muddy due to all the rain we've had recently.

We weren't the first ones on the trail this morning.

I love this dog and the lady holding the leash is alright too.

We walked along some of the mountain bike trails too. They all loop back to the main trail.

These are all full color pictures except one. But now I can't remember which one I converted to B&W.

Nola & I fell behind because we took the mountain bike trails.

This rope swing had a tire on it years ago. I didn't swing out over the creek this morning.

This impressive bridge over the train tracks in Thornton was also added when the CCFP decided to pave the trail and connect it to Forest Preserves in Thornton and Chicago Heights.

We had to convince Oslo to turn around and head back toward the car.

Nola & I left the two old timers on the paved trail...

...and hiked along another mountain bike loop trail.

Chrissy & Oslo joined us on another loop trail along Thorn Creek. Oslo looks so happy out here.

So does Nola but she doesn't love the snow like Oslo does.

Break time for Oslo to clear the snow from his paws.

Oslo cooling down the under carriage.

Oslo limps in the house but out here he has no trouble climbing up the ravine.

Meanwhile, Nola has snowballs on her feet.

Nola hears something across the creek.

The snow stopped early in our hike. By the end the sun was breaking through the clouds. 

Oslo must have sensed the snow would not last the day. He sat in the shaded part of our yard until all the snow melted. Happy Snow Patrick's Day my four legged friend.