On Salems way out she grabs a piece of the bacon, sniffing it before taking a bite. She waited outside for the rest of the group.

((I'm also fine with just heading straight out.))

While we're walking to the caves, Sanjay will make little flowers bloom through the frozen ground using Druidcraft. In effect (as an afterthought) it would create a trail of flowers as they walk. He would also use it to light a torch while they walk so as to attempt at staying somewhat warm. Sanjay will also stay towards the back of the group. He likes to be able to observe as much as possible. (Note that Sanjay's passive perception is 14 in case anything wants to sneak up on us.)

Sanjay and Thistle are quite keen on their surroundings as you make your way out in the early hours of the day.  When you reached a point past the last home in the village, about 100 ft. West you can see the Graveyard.  This is where Sanjay began sprouting flowers, much to everyone's enjoyment.   Looming North, you could see the peaks of Croaker Cave.  After walking for a bit, you are now about 100 feet out still from what looks like the entrance to the cave.

((lol I tried but your tokens just wouldn't work on this one - so the funny Pentagon is where you're currently at.  Blue things are flowers...))

Faineant has been trailing along with the rest of the group quietly. As they approach, she looks around, trying to see if there are any tracks on the ground.

Faineant, make a Perception check.

3

Faineant does indeed notice signs of tracks where likely bandits have been coming and going.

She looks up at the rest. "Look," she says. "Tracks."

Sanjay will look to where Faineant pointed and try to determine any other information about them. (Would I use a Survival check since this would be trying to follow tracks and "guiding your group through frozen wastelands..."?)

Survival: 10

If not, then Perception: 23

((That's so funny that the skill my character is better at, he rolled lower on...lol))

Senine takes the morningstar off her belt at Faineant's words, her grey eyes peeled for potential threats ( Perception: 12 ).

Thistle wipes her glasses and looks at the tracks. She glances around to see if she can get an idea of how fresh the tracks are. 

( Perception: 24 )

Thistle and Sanjay both can perceive everything around them at the moment. They hear what sounds like water somewhere in the distance, the sound of a twig falling into soft snow, and the way the tracks leading towards them aren't just soft imprints, but have hardened the snow as if the boots were soaked beforehand.  Not to mention that though there have obviously been bandits coming and going from the area, there's no sign of any guards anywhere.  Senine notices what may be a fox running behind some trees in the distance.

Sanjay, after studying the tracks further, also notices an obvious trail.

"It looks like whoever walked through here came from the water and headed that direction," Sanjay points in the direction the tracks are leading. "They had wet feet. So, they must have needed to take a break to warm up, unless they're using magic to stay warm." 

Are there any signs of a fire anywhere?

In a normal situation, Thistle would be enjoying the sounds and sights of the snowy environment. Instead, she finds it curious that the foot prints appear to have been wet. "I can hear water in the distance somewhere around here. But the docks are out in town, right? What would anyone be doing out in the water near here?" she wonders out loud. "I mean, if anything, this looks like a great place for someone to try and smuggle things in. Either that, or someone didn't have the luxury of finding a safe way to get around the water and was in a hurry.  Maybe both. What do you guys think?"

"Might have taken a small boat, landed it up the coast from town." Senine says, keeping her eye on the tree-line. "Not sure it makes a difference. We're going to the cave either way, at least now we know there's been activity in the area." She gives her morningstar a twirl, resettling it in her hand. "Just one more thing to keep your guard up for."

You continue on your way to Croaker Cave, the tracks continuing to be noticeable in the area. 

As you approach what looks to be the entrance of the cave, you can all see that there are tracks everywhere but still no sign of any patrol or guards. A plume of smoke rises from the ground beyond the cave entrance, but as far as you can tell, there's no way to get to wherever it's coming from.  This is the only way to get inside.

((Are you all ready to step up to the entrance?  If so, I'll post a map.))

"You all do remember what the bartender warned us about, yes? The Ice Frogs... so many things to watch out for," Salem groaned as she walked towards the entrance.

"Are they inside, or without?" Faineant asks, peering at the tracks. "I suppose it may make little difference, if someone knows we're here. I say we go inside."

((I'm teensy bit confused; is the smoke behind us or are we still far enough away that the smoke is in front of us, and the cave's just far away?))

((The cave is nearly in front of you now and, sort of behind or in the middle of it - you can't be sure- and therefore also in front of you, you see smoke rising.))