Photos: Frozen winter wonderland

by Marlene Berlin

Cold weather has never stopped me from my daily rounds, so on Saturday, your intrepid reporter braved the frigid temperatures to explore the Soapstone Valley and Rock Creek Parks in their frozen finery.

Frozen Soapstone Creek

Broad Branch Creek

Steep part of trail leading to Rock Creek

Rock Creek

Though these photos suggest I was alone in braving the cold, a few hardy souls were out on the trails with me. Most were runners.

I met Casey and Jay on the Soapstone Valley Trail walking their dogs.

And I wondered how the two on horseback stayed warm since moving at a fast rate kept me toasty. I could only guess that the horses gave off enough heat.

For me, staying warm was not a challenge. I was bundled up – wearing about four different layers under my down coat, and two layers on the bottom.

Taking photos was a challenge since I had to bare my hands to the cold. Chemical handwarmers in my mitts provided instant warmth. The handwarmers had been in storage for 10 years, almost forgotten. But the frigid weather jarred my memory. Now, reusable ones are also available.

As for the face, I use a neck gator that throws my breath upward, warming my exposed face and fogging up my glasses. It was a constant annoyance. But I was thankful for the protection the glasses provided against the wind, which blasted me from the northwest when I reached the Rock Creek Nature Center.

The intrepid reporter, foggy glasses and all.

This winter wonderland will soon give way to the warmer temperatures forecast for this week. But to be prepared for the next round of frigid weather, I ordered anti-fogging spray.