Fall winds and winter cold stripped the Gold Creek cottonwoods down to the bones. Thanks to the snowstorm that hit last night they look dramatic in front of the white flanks of Mt. Juneau. Enjoying the soft, new snow, Aki charges up and down the trail. The 30-knot wind gusts that fly overhead seem to energize her. The little dog enjoys the soft side of winter.

A wall of stalactites has formed from water seeping through a rock wall. On a sunny day, I’d find the season’s hard edge in the ice. But in today’s mild light, they glow as soft as the wind and cottonwood skeletons are harsh.