Winter Landscapes

We had 16" of snow on Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, and then on Sunday, we had some more snow, although just a couple of inches.  According to the weather forecasters, who are less accurate than a pack of drunken orangutangs, we are to have snow Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.  I would have mixed feelings about this, were it not for the fact that by chance I encountered Javier and his merry men last night digging out my neighbor as I was heading off to a birthday celebration for my brother.  It turns out Javier and company shovel walks, plow driveways, and clean off cars during the winter, and do landscaping during the summer, and now they work for me as well as for my neighbor across the street.  So I laugh at the snow - HA! - I have nothing to fear from it any more, and I can just enjoy its beauty, confident that my sidewalks will be safe for passersby, and that I will be able to get out of my driveway without a marathon shoveling effort.  I feel a twinge of regret at the lost challenge and physical workout, but I am going to make up for it by going for a 45 minute walk on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the weekend.  I should get a digital camera, so that I can take pictures as I stroll.  It seems everywhere I look, there is something wonderful I wish I could internalize and remember forever.

This weekend I drove down to Stonicker Road to walk along the brook there, knowing that soon more snow would come and cover any treasures with a white, frosty blanket.  It was cold, and the brambles were vicious, but I found a few stones that I am almost certain when split will have crystals inside.  Today, despite the fierce cold and the fresh snow, I went walking along a part of Stony Brook I haven't explored before. 

The brook was almost entirely frozen; the surface of frosted silver gray, dusted with snow.  In a few places, the rushing currents below had broken through the ice, and I could hear the coursing ripples.  It was beautiful and still.  In several places deer tracks crossed the frozen surface, and I wondered if the ice would bear my weight.  Uncharacteristically, I decided to be prudent, and didn't attempt it.  As I contemplated the frozen beauty of the scene, a though came to me unbidden - "The world is beautiful."  It surprised me, because I often feel that the world isn't beautiful, especially when I am driving past a strip mall or some particularly muddle-headed architecture.    But I have to agree with myself - the world is beautiful.  You just have to know how to look at it.  For example, there were several two or three inch little conifers poking up through the snow.  As I looked at them, I imagined themd as full-size trees seen from a great distance - it was magical and slightly disorienting at the same time - and I would love to photograph it.

As I wandered through the snow, I came upon the remnants of an abandoned bridge!  I have no idea when it was built, where it went, and what vehicles it was meant to convey, but it was somehow thrilling to come across its archaeological remains.

Looking for information about it on the web, I came across information about a different abandoned bridge further up and around the bend on Stony Brook, and as I looked at the pictures, I felt a throbbing of excitement and anticipation in my chest.  I can hardly wait to go exploring there. This is a photograph of the area obviously from the spring or summer.  I will try to take a photo from the same vantage point when I get there . . .