Avanto in the Toe

Tim Peterson and George Brasington organized a New Year's Day dip in the South Toe at Carolina Hemlocks as a part of their monthly 'avanto' (Finnish for 'hole in the ice') Cabin Fever offering.  Above, fueled by equal parts terror and elation, Tim scampers ashore after his plunge; below, all who braved the icy waters warming up around the fire. Thanks to Whitney for the pictures!

Rummage Room(s)

From our intrepid correspondent, Ben McCann: "Happy new year from Leverett MA, home of the best county-run rummage room at the transfer station. Each shed is a different category. Takes a dedicated crew to peruse in zero degree weather."

Icicle

Tammy holding an icicle she got out of a drainpipe.

Crabtree Falls Illuminated by December Supermoon

Randy and Nancy led a hike up to Crabtree Falls on the night of the Supermoon.  This photograph is a reasonable approximation of how it looked to me.

[Since the color receptors (cones) in our eyes don't function in low light, we must use our rods only, and these more sensitive receptors have a much lower spatial acuity and don't register color.]

Bedroom Window, Saturday Morning

If you stop and think about it, it's kind of mindblowing how different the world looks after a snowfall.

There are two birds in this picture.

Morning in Spruce Pine

The coffee and bagels are good, too.

Parkway Donuts

Yeah, let's head up on the Parkway tonight and cut some donuts.