It's been cold, windy, and did I mention cold?
I've spent about as much time in the house and the garage as I could stand so I just had to get outdoors!
Boy am I glad I did! The cold air was actually quite refreshing and the river here around my house is just breath taking as usual. No matter what time of year it is, the river never seems to disappoint me. I feel so relaxed and content when I'm near it, even when I'm having the crappiest day possible the river always cheers me up.

I can stand near areas like this and just get lost in the wonder of God's creations as all my troubles just seem to melt away and I remind myself of how lucky I am to live here, and just be alive!    

Best of all, it's basically right out my back door. I can be at any one of these spots in just a matter of minutes at a leisure walk.






The cold didn't seem to be so bad either once I got a little fire started to knock the chill off my bones.

Those are very beautiful pictures you are lucky.

Nice Backyard.

looks like a nice place. too bad some has to leave thier tire and pale behind.

Now I'm jealous.That is a nice area

NOthing like a river to take your troubles away.

Thanks guys.

Highelk, those tires wash in from upstream somewhere every time it floods. That particular one is firmly planted in the mud and wouldn't budge. I thought about burning it out, but decided the toxic fumes would be worse than just leaving it. The pail you see in the upper right corner of the pic is actually my minnow bucket. I decided to get some bait for fishing this week, maybe tomorrow?

Looks great and I know what you mean about felling being house bound but around here you can drive snow mobiles on the river.

Which Missouri river is that? It looks serene!!

It's very understandable why and how it soothes your soul.

Thank you for sharing.

God bless,Mudd

Can't tell me there is no God!!!   Sweet pics thanks for sharing.

Know what you mean Semo about sick of not being out. I ventured out Friday to hunt a new spot above the St. Francis, got my feet tangled up in some tops coming out in the dark and reinjured my back that I had been staying in and nursing for a couple of weeks. What really stinks is I havent been able to spend much time working on some bows, I got 4  started tiller and cant stand to stand and finish them. I can set up until that stage.

Hey did you check out the birch in the upper left corner of the third pick. LOL do they make a pill for this illness.

Mudd- It's Big River and it starts out as a spring just about 25 miles from my home. It gets bigger as it goes by picking up spring fed creeks along the way. By the time it winds around through all the hills and bottoms it's fair size when it gets here where I'm at. Some really good bass fishing, goggle eye, blue gill, and catfish in some areas on it.
I'm a poor man by monetary standards, but a rich man in more ways than most people are when I stop and look around at all the Lord's gifts surrounding me. Sometimes I forget just how blessed I really am, then the river always reminds me to be thankful.

ductape- Some people are blind and just can't or won't open up their eyes and see him. That's why I love the outdoors so much, I feel closer to Him.

Living Waters- I got 2 bow projects under way, just got finished with 2 bows for my nephews Christmas gifts a few weeks ago. I decided to get in on the Bow Swap and I'm already starting on that bow. Sorry about your back, take it easy and don't over do it. My back is in fair shape, but after spending about 6hrs. at a bow bench pulling a draw knife I feel like I'm 70 yrs. old. and I get out of bed the next morning moaning and groaning.

QuoteOriginally posted by dtarbell:
Looks great and I know what you mean about felling being house bound but around here you can drive snow mobiles on the river.

I don't think I've ever seen the river here freeze over hard enough for that? I'd be afraid I would hit a thin pocket and fall through because there's quite a bit of current in places you would least expect it.
When I start getting cagey from being cooped up, I'll get out and take a long hike around a mile and a half along the river, then I can relax a little. I carry my bow most of the time just for company.  

Now I don't wanna cross the line here but! That pond's not iced over and I don't see a foot or two of snow on the ground. I'd say that's almost got that Vega's look going!! That being said that's one heck of a nice back yard!  

Great pix....how beautiful is that! As far as cold??...I guess that is all relative. Thanks!

Oh definitely Mike, if it's 20deg.F here that's cold to me, with a 10mph wind on top of that and it's downright brutal cold.
But to you all up north and east of me that's probably just light jacket weather for you folks?    

Here's what it looked like the next day after I took those nice pics.
The temp dropped down to 10 deg.F overnight.

Nice pics. I'll trade you weather. -19.8 this morning. Windchills supposed to be -35 today through Wed. Snow is deep and the wintering critters are hurting. Dead antelope laying everywhere.  :(

Knew it was going to be real good & it is. Thnks for the pix. It would take awhile to leave. Maybe after a fish or two.

Thanks guys, your welcome.......I figure that everybody likes to see pics of each other's stomping grounds. I know the river like I know my own garage.......every little nook and cranny of it.

Shedrock- Man I hate to hear that, I'd love to have an antelope in my freezer right at the moment. It seems like such a waste, but really it's not.......other creatures gotta eat too.

Great pictures!  As I'm pecking away at this keyboard the snow is falling, and is supposed to continue all day.  Very beautiful!  The animals around here are working hard for their victuals, and we've had some bone-chilling temperatures (-12 Saturday night).  I hope we never take for granted this beautiful land.  I enjoyed "your" river!