December 5

Tuesday, Remi and I again traveled 10 miles west to Lumberjack Park to hike this time on the south section of a nature trail that I’m in the process of constructing for the park. Just east of the Pine River off Madison Rd., I followed a 2-track north for a short distance into a wooded area and parked the car. The early morning weather was party sunny, hazy with a temperature of 28 degrees and no wind. From the car, we followed a path west down a gradual bank to the edge of the Pine River where I noticed some patches of snow on the far side that remained from Sunday’s snowfall. Also, I recalled that this is the starting point for the 30-mile canoe trail to downtown Alma. Back up the slope, I followed the path north where the leaf litter revealed the presence of surrounding pine, oak, maple and aspen trees. Continuing north, I descended a steep bank into the river flats where I’m in the process of constructing stairs and continued on a snow-covered, temporary boardwalk I built over a seasonal wetland. Turning east, I followed the trail along the edge of Mud Creek where Remi’s hair color blended well with the snowy ground. Speaking of color, moss growing at the base of a Cottonwood tree was the only green to be seen in the late autumn landscape. Continuing east, I stopped at the point where we plan to build a footbridge next summer to cross and join up with the west section of the trail. Retracing my steps back up the steep bank, I followed the trail east and then looped south through a woodland of White Pine back toward the parking area where I spotted what remained of an old stone foundation from a building of unknown origin. Finally, we returned to the car and headed home.

Blossoms of pink

Finches of gold

Dormancy and death

Have taken hold

Voice of the Vireo

Pines embrace

Song of silence

Has taken its place

For other seasons

Do not yearn

Nature is ready

It’s winter’s turn

D. DeGraaf