Let’s take a winter walk.

I know. It’s cold. Wear your warm winter gear. We’ll walk far enough to get warm. It’s far enough to raise enough heat to sweat. You’re young, I’m old, you can do it.

 First, we’ll walk the hard surface of the street. Easy. Then we’ll come to the lake.

 Here we are, let me show you…To get on to the lake we’ll go down the steep bank. Use the small tree limbs for handrails. Then step on the cottonwood tree stumps towards the bottom. Yes, the snow is deep at the edge of the lake. Oh, there is water on the ice, hope your boots don’t leak.

 No, You won’t break through. No worries, the ice is nearly 20 inches deep. I know it is a lake. Yes, water on a lake in winter seems unsafe. Just put one foot in front of the other. It’s January with snow on the ice, lake flooding is normal. Yes, it makes you nervous. Walk in my foot-steps. Look ahead, when we come to the snowmobile track, we’ll walk on it. The snow will be packed. You’ll like it, easy walking.

 Ok, sorry, I did not think we’d break through the crust. Relax, it’s just water. I know its lake water. I know there is a deep lake beneath the ice. Just put one foot in front of the other. Do you see the deer tracks alongside the snowmobile trail? No, I am not trying to distract you.

 Let’s stay on the snowmobile track. It parallels the shore all the way to the woods on the south shore. Come on, you can walk that far. Wait until you go into the woods. You’ll like it.

 See, told you could make it. I’m proud of you. You never complained about the second stretch of water back there. Wow, look at the deer tracks here at the edge. They’ve walked along this whole south shore. Look, can you see where they’ve left the ice and jumped up the bank?

 Here’s our trail in. Do you like this soft deep snow at the shore? Me too. May I give you a hint about walking up the hill? Turn your feet out, walk like a duck, you’ll have more traction. If you fall, the deep snow will make your falling soft.

 Yes, I know the snow is cold and wet. Sure, use the hand rail someone put up years ago. It’s one of a kind. It’s made of Ironwood. I am surprised the deer have used this trail. Right, they have walked up hill into the woods on it. Look, the deer have turned off. Look again, there is a single coyote track which continues up the hill. Have you pictured the deer in this spot? What about envisioning a coyote here too? The tracks prove it.

 Why am I stopping? To listen.

 Stand still with me. Yes, this is quiet. Right, it is very peaceful here. I like it just like you. Let’s lean against a tree and listen longer.

 What was that? It’s a Nut Hatch. Oh, it’s a bird, called a nuthatch. And what is that? That’s a Pileated woodpecker. We won’t see it…it’s too far away. You should see one sometime. You’d remember it.

 That was quick, it’s almost time for us to turn around and walk back. Want to try an experiment before we do? Look for small things. Little things most people would walk by. Look for things which catch your eye.  I’ll take a photo. We’ll make a list and give each a name.

 Wonderful, we have a good list…

1.       “Peep through snow”

2.       “The mouse vent”

3.       “Snowy Ironwood Leaves”

4.       “Blue Lichen”

5.       “Yellow Lichen”

6.       “Birch Bark Curl”

7.       “Snow Melt on Bark ”

8.       “Snow Melt on Bark 2”

9.       “Snow Melt on Bark 3”

 Time to walk back, we promised we’d return in a hour. You’ll feel more alive when we get back to the house- fresh air and exercise do that. Thanks for going with me. What’s that?...Oh sure- We’ll go again.

1. Peep through Snow 2. Mouse Vent 3. Snowy Ironwood 4. Blue Lichen 5. Yellow Lichen 6. Birch bark Curl 7-9. Snow Melt on Bark 1-3