Thursday, Remi and I hiked in one of our favorite spots, Pine River Park in Alma. The mid-morning weather was mostly sunny with a frigid temperature of 7 degrees and a steady wind out of the northwest that produced a wind chill of 7 degrees below zero. We left the warmth of the car and headed south on a seasonal road into a stand of pine and spruce that sheltered us from the very cold wind. Looking down, I noticed some fresh rabbit tracks. Gazing east, the bright morning sun produced long shadows on the snow as it penetrated the dense forest. I turned north into a clearing where the wind hit me head on as I came to a vista to see that the river was frozen solid. Turning around, I continued hiking south where I noticed we were following some fresh tracks of a fairly large dog. Up in a tall tree against a blue sky, several perching Mourning Doves were warming themselves. Rounding the bend, I continued east and found shelter from the wind again as I entered a woods dominated by conifers. Near the entrance, I was surprised to see one remaining frozen blossom from a Spindle Tree. Following the meandering trail, I was reminded of a hike we took here back in November of 2013 during hunting season. There was quite a contrast between the landscape of last autumn and this winter. Approaching a familiar footbridge, again I thought about this same setting back in November. Finally, we completed the circuit and found the car for our short trip home.
In coldness of winter she snuggles down
Over a blanket of snow on the ground
In newness of spring she comes alive
She warms the earth so creatures survive
In greenness of summer she hits her stride
Her lush landscape is where wildlife abide
In briskness of autumn she paints the leaves
Colors of the rainbow to show off her trees
Last year is over. A new year has begun
Mother Nature’s seasons pass one by one
D. DeGraaf
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