This is my favorite kind of winter day...cold, windy, overcast and spitting snow. A pot of chili on the stove, a cozy fire in the fireplace and I am a happy girl! Unfortunately, we don't have too many days like this!

John and I decided to take an "exercise hike" on House Mountain this morning; two weeks and we are getting to be House Mountain regulars. We pulled into the parking lot a little after 9:00 am but unlike last week when 10-11 cars were in the lot, the only thing greeting us was brisk, winter wind.

Flurries blew about but did not accumulate on the ground, which is still warm from 60+ temps last week. We bundled up with fleece vests, gloves, hats, an outer shell and our hoods pulled tight around our faces. House Mountain is a short, steep climb so we knew we would be peeling items off quickly. Once we started on the trail, the mountain blocked the wind and we were able to enjoy the hike. After an elevation gain of several hundred feet, the snow began to stick. Amazing how much effect a small elevation gain has on the weather!

We stopped just before the top to take pictures and catch our breath. We could hear and see the wind above us and didn't anticipate the usual stop at the West Overlook. What a picture, it's a winter wonderland in East Tennessee.

From the West Overlook, we hurried across the ridge, thankful for the places where the trail dropped down and the mountain protected us from the wind. We stopped at Table Rock for a "spot" of hot green tea with a hint of jasmine (John is getting good at tea mixing), perfect on this snowy, wintry day. Then home again and around the fire.