The temperature was just below freezing, but it looked a lot colder than that. Rime ice formed on the trees at higher elevations, creating very wintry scenes.

John and I were on the way back from the creek, walking at a good pace before we got to the steep part of Qualla Road. A woman, who was about 40 years old, rolled down the window of her car. We all burst into laughter when she called out, “I want to be like you when I grow up!”

We had no instant reply, but her smiling face and amusing statement made our day.