An Energizing Winter Walk Through a Sparkling Snow Covered Forest is Pure Magic
Reciprocal Nature prompt: Winter nature exploration
I woke up to a glorious morning in Wisconsin. Pushing the motel curtains aside, there were fat snowflakes falling from the sky. Sparkling icicles hung from the eaves of the motel roof. Youthful jubilation flowed through my veins. This was exactly why my daughter and I had driven here yesterday. Iowa has experienced a dearth of decent snowfall for years. We decided this winter that we would locate the beautiful white stuff.
“Get up, Chris,” I exclaimed, shaking her slumbering body vigorously. “It’s snowing outside!”
We dressed warm for a day’s outing at the Minocqua Nordic Center. It didn’t open until 9am. There was time to eat a filling complimentary breakfast. Back in our room we packed knapsacks with sandwiches and snacks. Filled thermoses with hot chocolate. Then loaded our Kia Soul with snowshoes. Slowly we drove snowplowed streets to the Nordic Center.
The snow packed drive leading to the Center skirted snow covered evergreen trees. Wiper blades cleared the windshield of soft fluffy flakes. The sport shift on our Kia handled slippery road conditions well. This was our first opportunity to test that feature out.
We parked beside other vehicles discharging fellow snow crazy people. Cradling skis and snowshoes we all invaded the building. Everyone anticipated a glorious day playing in six inches of new snow. Benches lined the walls for snow revelers. A place to change into boots for respective sports. We paid for a day pass and left with a detailed map of the ski and snowshoe trails. Lockers were available to hold discarded shoes and personal gear.
The sky cleared and the sun shone brightly as we stepped outside. We tramped on snowshoes to the trail that meandered through forest to a lake. My breath escaped in puffy clouds. The cold shocked my lungs with each inhalation. I used a scarf to cover my nose and keep it warm.
My dark sunglasses highlighted the trail ahead. Otherwise it would have blended into the snowscape. Snowshoes crunched a path with each wide step. We looked like ducks with webbed feet as we trudged along. Trekking poles helped to keep our balance as we forged over sudden depressions. Other than disturbing virgin snow with our steps, the woods were silent.
Walking that snow laden forest we were enveloped in a magical wonderland. It reminded me of childhood days spent in deep New York winters. I spied telltale footprints of a rabbit that had traveled this way before us. The temperature invigorated me. I felt invincible, full of energy. My entire body rejoiced to be in this white pristine wood. Soon a frozen lake lay exposed before us.
Snow provokes responses that reach right back to childhood. Andy Goldsworthy
Hunger pangs growled. Our energy reserves needed replenishing. We swept snow off a nearby log. Sitting comfortably, we opened individual knapsacks to retrieve enticing sandwiches. We were alone. No one else was within hearing distance. How rare to sit in hushed silence. The only sound being soft plops as sun kissed snow fell from branches overhead. Drama on the lake was about to start.
A shadow fell on us, accompanied by the noise of sweeping feathered wings. A large hawk zoomed in on a frightened rabbit, trying to escape piercing talons. The unfortunate prey twitched as the hawk flew aloft in victory. The raptor must have perched in a tree for an unsuspecting mammal to appear.
After this rare display of vibrant nature, we continued to tramp through the woods. Blue discs attached to tree trunks showed the way. Virgin snow undisturbed by humans would have hidden the buried trail from view. Sunbeams cast tree shadows on the white canvas around us.
Nearing the Center we encountered cross country skiers on their groomed tracks. Everyone had rosy cheeks and noses. We exchanged merry smiles and greetings. Indulging in winter sports has that effect on people. Infectious joy just bubbles forth with great delight.
The afternoon was waning. We slipped out of our snowshoes, found our locker and pulled on snow boots. A delicious weariness pervaded our bodies. We drove back to the unappealing noise of civilization. Changing into warm dry clothes, we entered a restaurant to satisfy ravenous appetites. That evening we basked in the glow of a captivating day. Bone weary there was no trouble falling asleep. We planned to use nordic skis tomorrow. Can’t let such beautiful snow go to waste.
The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found? J. B. Priestley
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