The Nature Conservancy's trail loops from right to left, stretching all the way to the mountain tops.

Let's go back two days. The sun shone through a leaf-less forest. I rolled up my wind pants because I had toasty legs, and cinched my jacket around my hips because the temperatures hit the 60s. Today ... snow. This place is covered in snow. Cole got a snow day. What is happening!?!

Sigh. I'll just look forward to the warmer forecast and past the snow. That blissful sunshine day was Saturday though. Cole and I traveled outside Charlottesville to Fortune's Cove Preserve to hike the 5.5-mile trail maintained by The Nature Conservancy — hence the Green Speak Monday title.

The Conservancy, if not familiar, preserves land and life throughout the country. Virginia has a branch right here in town. The particular hiking spot meets at the convergence of the Piedmont and Blue Ridge areas. This preserve sits on 755 acres in a 29,000 acreage. Thanks to Landowner Jane Heyward, the Conservancy acquired this land and keeps it open year-round for hiking.

I'm excited for all these outdoor activities, and more posts will follow because of it. Enjoy a snapshot of our four-hour hike.

Conservancy staff and volunteers maintain the trail and surrounding area.

A little white house sits in the bottom of the valley.

Of course, we are taking the higher route.

Small, rocky spots allowed us to see out past the trees to the view below.

I rest while Cole clambers on rocks.

What happened to that poor tree?

Making it to the top of the highest point, but you can't see much.

Tired, but at the top.

And this is the view ...

On the highest point, a tower stretches up past the trees.

Cole leads the way from the top down.

We stop and rest by a little waterfall.

No leaves up on the trees yet.

The boggy area has planks to keep our feet dry.

I made it all 5.5 miles!