Winter's Tree

Today I'm going to dedicate my story to a tree. Yup, one tree. One amazingly wonderful tree! I've seen this tree maybe a hundred times before, but this time there was just something special about it. Maybe it's the snow that's gently laying on the branches. It just seems to have an inner glow that calls to me.

This tree sits quietly by itself at the front of Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve. I've taken pictures of it before, but this time it just popped out at me when I got out of my truck. I had to take a few more pictures of this tree this time. I usually just glance at it and head for the hiking trail.

Then when I got home, as I glanced through my pictures, this one photo seemed to almost beg for me to show it to the whole world. Well, who am I to turn down such a passionate request? I'm sure you can guess what I did next, since the picture is right here in front of you.

And since I already teased you with the one photo at the top, I decided that I should be generous and show you some of the other photos of this tree. I guess now you can choose for yourself which one you like the best. I don't think the tree would mind, as long as you choose at least one of them.

You know, I never planned to write a post about this tree, it seems as if it was all the tree's idea. Sure, I purposely took the pictures, but only because the tree called out to me in one of the sweetest voices I've ever heard. Then as I gazed at the pictures on my computer screen, I heard the echo of that voice again, calling to me, pleading to be seen.

I've done what you asked, tree. I hope others can hear your voice as well as I do. I guess not all things hibernate this time of year, because you belong to winter, and winter belongs to you. I'm glad you are so willing to share it in the best way with me this year.

And now I'm sharing winter with all of you. It's a good one this time.

Sights Of Winter

I want to show you some of the things I saw just yesterday from my latest hike. If you're not looking at the snow, then you're missing something wonderful. Some of you may have to look out your window to do it, and some of you may have to follow along with me and my stories to enjoy winter. However you do it, it's worth seeing this while it still lasts!

The forest is a completely different world when there is a fresh snowfall covering everything. This is a place that is magically transformed from a world of summer green to a world of winter silver and white. The air even has a different quality in the winter. When you breath in, you get such a clean, refreshed feeling, that you don't want it any other way.

When I go out here I dress very warmly. I wear hiking boots, with the best thick socks underneath. I wear long underwear under my pants. I wear a jacket under my coat. Multiple layers of clothing always work very well. I always wear warm, but thin gloves, so I can still operate my camera. And I make sure my head, and especially my face, is well-covered.

After dressing this way, which isn't difficult at all, I didn't even feel the cold when I went out yesterday. I was as warm as if I were still indoors. I'm saying this for all of you who can go out this time of year but choose not to because you think it's too cold. I'm telling you, with the proper clothing you don't feel the cold even a little bit. And I spent very little to get it.

Here is the place where I saw a squirrel licking the ice to get water a few weeks ago. The great thing about the snow is that the squirrels will never get thirsty. Almost every one of you already know that snow is just frozen water crystals, so all a squirrel has to do for water is to lick the snow. It's even closer to their trees than the lake is.

And now the squirrels can cross the lake to find new adventures, and new homes, for themselves. Some animals are built very well for winters like this one. I'm one of them.

Can you see the hiking trail in this picture? The snow is hiding it very well. Nobody walked along this trail since this snowfall. I was the very first. The marks that dot the snow in so many places are from snow that fell from tree branches as the wind blew. It was great to be able to walk on fresh new snow. Where no one has gone before.

The best thing of all was that I knew that I was truly alone out here. I was free to follow the animal tracks and listen to their chattering off in the distance, without any human disruptions. I felt peace in this snow. This is what I get from hiking in the winter. The great thing is that you can even feel this same peace when you have the company of another like-minded adventurer. Alone or together, it all works the same. Winter is a wonderful time.