I have not been to the woods since before the blizzard. I felt cooped up – sluggish and stiff from confinement. It is a physical and mental state that can only be soothed by an immersion in nature.
I only had a brief hour to myself, so I headed to Nick’s Woods. I parked on Stetson Road, crossed the street, and headed down Smith Lane. The trailhead was a mountain of plowed snow.
I strapped on my snowshoes and headed down the trail.
Sun! Glorious sun! The brightness is embodied in the world. I am in this world. And the brightness is within me.
I feel myself unclench. I am bathed in beauty and peace.
Grey spires cast blue shadows. But, they are shadows without darkness, akin to the blue brilliance from above.
Snow clings to the north side of trees, highlighting their undulations. An oak reaches over the trail, like portal to a magical realm.
A single feather lays in the snow – a reminder of our majestic raptors. Beads of water shine on its surface.
A flash of intense orange – complementary color to the blue skies and shadow. Turkey tails on a log.
Alas! I must turn around and head back. A brief time and short distance. But, what joy!
Hellstrip Heaven 