First Snow

Although there were some snow flurries in early November and a dusting a week or so later, the first time we had what most of us would call a real snowfall was in the pre-dawn darkness a few days before Thanksgiving. It still wasn’t much, with only about an inch and a half of heavy, wet white stuff on the ground. Still, it was enough to prompt a neighbor to clear his driveway – despite the forecast of 45°F late in the afternoon.

There will be plenty of chances to wield shovel and snowblower in the coming weeks so I headed to the Big Woods to enjoy what might best be called a winter wonderland – in spite of the fact that it was still fall.

During the short drive to my usual parking place the trees on surrounding hillsides were coated with snow –

From there I walked an old road into the forest –

That old road passes a line of sugar maples that, over 100 years ago, shaded a one-room school where the local children received their education. The building is long gone, but the sugar maples remain –

Further along, the road swings close to the stream that drains the valley; the rocks in the stream had a topping of new fallen snow –

From there I left the road and walked into the forest –

Where the few leaves still hanging from maple twigs also bore a layer of snow –

Small American beech hold their leaves long into the winter and bear a heavy burden whenever a wet, sticky snow falls –

Speaking of beech, a contorted beech sapling provided a change of view from the otherwise straight trees –

Back along the stream I went, enjoying the sound of the flowing water and the snow covered logs and rocks –

Time to head for home, passing a picturesque small hemlock –

And an American hornbeam along the way –

Yes, by late afternoon almost all the snow had melted and the next day there was none.