hiking into the new year.

The weather was extremely cooperative (near 60!) for our annual New Year's hike. We headed to the Jug Bay Natural Area in Maryland on New Year's Eve and met up with the Davis family. Amelia and Elsa were thrilled to have hiking buddies. Amelia just needs someone who will listen to her talk. And talk. And talk. Elsa can be prompted to walk quite far with varying distractions (like the prospect of being buried in the leaves). This was our first time exploring Jug Bay and it was a beautiful winter hike. We were pretty much the only people around. (Past hikes have included Turkey Run and last year's more treacherous hike at Scott's Run.)

More beautiful weather on New Year's Day called for a morning stroll around Huntley Meadows after a breakfast of warm chocolate croissants and hot chocolate.