We have not had significant moisture for a while so there were only three places that required some acrobatic balancing acts as we skirted large muddied areas of the path. We hung on to tree limbs and ducked beneath thorny branches leaving the well worn trail and making sure that our hiking boots did not get too caked with the muddy clay.
The local beaver plays havoc with the part of the hiking trail that skirts the marsh. The maintenance folks dumped a dozen boards across the path, but eventually they will have to build another boardwalk for the area. There was a delicate screen of ice on the top of the water in the more open areas giving witness to the colder night before. Local titmice, chickadees, woodpeckers and white-throated sparrows showed no fear in scolding us as we made our way. They also were enjoying the warm sun on their backs as they flew from tree-top to scrub brush.
It was nice to see that the park staff have a good sense of humor after all the downed trees the past two years. I do not know if it is global warming or just the age of the forest, but we are losing that climax forest look. We have none of the rare century trees that make one's mouth fall open. I regret that.
It is 1.8 miles and ends at the beach. But we decided to rest just a short bit shy of that and enjoy the swamp instead, while families with dogs and children headed toward the more popular destination.
What a lovely walk! Thank you so much for taking us with you.
ReplyDeleteStill have snow with ice underneath up here in Ohio. People slipping and falling all over the place. Yuk!
ReplyDeletedoes make for a very cool walk...and a neat seat as well, even hand rails...see much wild life this time of year, even with the warmer weather?
ReplyDeleteWe have a few downed trees on our property. My son took them out with the backhoe because they were dead and our neighbors will cut them up for firewood. However I am inspired to see if we can't cut out a couple of seats or benches for me to rest on when I go for a walk.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely nothing can compare to a walk in the forest!! Brings one such great focus of mind and introspection. Love your pics
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
Gorgeous place to walk. Thanks for showing it to us.
ReplyDeleteOh that path featured in the first photo! How could anybody not walk down it! Thanks for taking us on this lovely walk!
ReplyDeleteLove to go walking with you. Paths here are snow covered but a walk in the sun-filled meadow yesterday was breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteWhen our trees fall over they never look like that.
ReplyDeleteYou took us on a great walk with your camera and description.
ReplyDeleteGlad it is a nice winter for you - we are buried under snow here.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Nature is changing so fast -- your tree observation is not a good sign.Also I believe the warm temps does not bode well. That last photo of the swamp is fantastic. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteMore and more I long to walk. Maybe a new hip sooner....
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous park! And I love that tree chair.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful pictures. Thank you for taking us with you on your walk. :)
Great. Walkers must enjoy the scene. Ad, the poor Beavers, living in that place, pretty too.
ReplyDeleteSo enjoyed this sunny walk with you to the swamp! I just came back from a chilly, snowpacked walk in my forest - now I have the two extremes. That chair out of the fallen tree is so whimsical - you wonder about the person who thought to carve it.
ReplyDelete