Let’s go on an adventure! I don’t know where we’re going today but the surprise is worth the wait. Wherever our journey takes us, I know that trees will be patiently awaiting our arrival, creeks will be eagerly flowing to greet us, creatures will leave their tracks behind for us to discover and follow, and there will be SNOW! Crunchy, icy, wet, cold, melting, deep, powdery, packable, crusty, slushy snow! It has blanketed our forest destinations, tucking in all the members of the wooded community.
But we know as we trek through the diverse forms of snow, that not all the forest creatures are asleep. Even though we often can’t catch a glimpse of these carefully silent denizens, we can track their footsteps. On our expedition, we pause and let our curiosity take over as we examine animal tracks, gaze at the towering, naked trees whom we know by name, and listen to the rushing stream or pure silence when the Ice Queen freezes over the water. We turn snow-covered cliff sides into natural slides, play stalking games to understand our animal friends, and create fire solely with the wood of the land and the work of our hands. We don’t follow a predetermined path, but make a trail of our own accord, pursued by our inquisitive minds.
A frozen waterfall at a distance from the trail catches our wandering attention. A less curious mind may not see the inviting journey that the cascade of ice offers. We scurry off the trail to explore this mountain of ice. As we scramble to the top with hands and feet, we peek inside openings in the ice to gain a different perspective of the frozen water. We listen to the trickle of water echo underneath the ice.
Oh look! A willow tree is spotted for making bow drill kits out of its branches. Again we trudge through the snow toward the tree, creating our own path.
There seems to be an alluring force within nature sparking our curiosity and guiding our exploration. The natural wonders of the forest keep pulling us in to unearth their mysteries. Our curious minds are always open to new discoveries from which we can learn. In the same way, I encourage you to create your own journey through the forest. Let your interest in the fascinations of the earth guide your exploration and stimulate your yearning for knowledge.
Katie Power - grew up in Newtown, Connecticut exploring the woods and creeks near her house. Now a student at Ithaca College studying Outdoor Adventure Leadership, she has continued her love for exploration, seeking out new adventures within the woods of Ithaca and surrounding areas.
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