Monday, January 10, 2011

Walk in the Woods

These last few posts have had a snow theme due to the continuing heavy snowfall here in western North Carolina's mountains.

Having spent two years in the tropics and arriving back in the states just in time for winter, I had forgotten the thrill of wandering in deep snow in the trees. I went for a short hike today in the woods I also had forgotten the deep sense of silence the blanket of snow creates. I found it so refreshing to just stand on the mountainside and listen to the silence -- with the silence decorated by the occasional bird song or a squirrel jumping from one tree branch to another.


                                                     Below is my hiking partner, Claudia.
With the temperature hovering around the 20 degree Fahrenheit mark, the timber around me was creaking and popping in the light wind. It gives a new definition to woodwinds.