I started to call my post title "Cabin Fever Blues", but I'm really not sad.

However, it's the dead of winter--cold, blustery, 5" of snow on the ground--and I'm pretty fed up with it. And if I hear "the snow is falling down" or "when it's all said and done" one more time from a TV weatherperson, I'm going to scream! (Why can't they simply say, "It's snowing...", or "When it's all over..."?)

Back to my point(s).

I haven't left the house in 5 days--and won't for two more when I have an optometrist date (annual check). Oh, I get outside to get a wheel barrow full of firewood for my furnace (and man, am I going through the wood quickly!), and to go to the mailbox. But I haven't gone anywhere in my truck. I might not be able to anyhow.

Because of this so-called "cabin fever", I've had the urge to look at the road atlas and "map quest" for vicarious trips throughout the United States. My recent Backpacker magazine has fueled my imagination with great hiking places. The warm, sunny photos are enticing.

Planning for real (or imaginary--maybe future) trips is half the fun. I'm headed for the Florida Panhandle (Mexico Beach area) in 9 days (weather permitting down I-65 and side roads). So I've mapped out my route and scoured the internet for places of interest, both on my way and at my final destination. I like "off the beaten path" routes, but I'm eager to get to "home base". I've also done the same thing with my April trip to Utah (Wilderness Volunteers). LET'S GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD!

I the meantime, I'm hunkered down with soothing food--hot oatmeal with thawed strawberries for this morning's breakfast, a butternut/pecan pie, chili, etc.--you know, comforting food. I'm going to bake a cherry cheesecake this afternoon (from my really ancient frozen cherries. I won't admit how ancient!). And I'll return to perusing maps for my next venture (and adventure).

Did I mention my Spring seed catalogs are arriving?!!!!!!