Winter 2019-2020

snowshoe hare tracks

By Shelley

With the early heavy snow, we already have perfect conditions for snowshoeing, and in fact, bought two pair of snowshoes for our guests to use in the 20 acres of ribbon marked trails at Cedarwood Hideaway. Devin and I finally got out there to groom the track, and it is beautiful. The quiet of the forest, provides the meditative time needed to refuel after the hectic holiday scramble . Trekking amidst towering aspen, ash, spruce and birch, with a few cedar trees in the mix, is a great way to submerge oneself in the natural world.

All around me, an abundance of tracks from fur bearing inhabitants of the woods, form trails of their own. Especially, the well- camouflaged snowshoe hare, which I stop and strain to spy wherever I come across an area tamped and nibbled by their kind. It is likely that one is watching me as I scan the snowscape.

The temperature warms, chunks of snow fall from evergreen and deciduous limbs, and water from clumps of snow, still clinging to branches, drips in the sunlight. A raven squawks a few times, just before a train whistle sounds through the timbre.

I imagine living here a hundred years ago, when spending time foraging and hunting was the work we did. When more of us understood that we are vitally connected to the land and all that lives upon it.

As the cabin comes into view at the end of the trail, I am grateful for these places in which we can reconnect with all that is wild and beautiful and VITAL.