The temperature did not rise above 14 degrees today, and it felt chilly, though with the sun shining, who could care? Today was the day for Sophie's makeover--she had to have her fur trimmed all over in preparation for our snowy adventures. Neil's Pet Salon in Glens Falls groomed her beautifully, and now the Adirondack weather can throw at us whatever wintry stuff it wants, the snow won't weigh Sophie down.

Last night it got as low as zero, and tonight the mercury will go down to the single numbers. To celebrate, we'll hike tomorrow morning on a notoriously muddy trail that follows the Sacandaga River in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness. Frozen mud is my favorite kind of mud, though Sophie is vehement in disagreement. I'll pack a thermos of hot cocoa and a bunch of dog biscuits and we'll venture forth. This trail is a great snowshoe trail, and I need to see if anyone has cleared it. If so, it'll also be terrific for backcountry skiing.