Arctic Snow

Cold fresh snow, blue skies, woods, and clear water are peace. Snow frozen by below zero arctic air has a density slightly more than air. Clean, sharp, crunchy-soft, a booted foot passes through 6 inches of the powder with ease and comes out snow-less and dry. This brand of snow sticks to nothing. I like it.

Doc, my 8 1/2 month old Chesapeake Bay retriever, and I took a 3 hour walk at Mud Lake today. We covered miles of trials. We made some of our own over frozen ponds and cut through thick woods by wondering toll free on a well worn deer trail. One place I discovered last fall, and is a favorite of mine now, is a place I call "Canoe-Pond". Two circular bodies of water are connected by a long wide channel, forming what I'm certain looks like a birch bark canoe from above. Cathy can't see it but I do. In the fall I found, at the narrowest part, a series of rocks placed a step apart and just right to walk on water from one shore to the other. Until proven otherwise I like to think the rocks were placed by native hunters 200 years ago.

With the sun shining down and the light wind blocked by the thick trees, Canoe-Pond was warm and peaceful. Doc and I left the only tracks on the pond. We rested under a giant oak...I call it "The Spooky Old Tree", but actually the pond has three Spooky Old Trees. That's a name from Aaron's first favorite book about The Bernstein Bears.

Continuing our hike back on the logging road, we arrived at a place where the water runs through a big culvert, spills into a swirling pond and then meanders through the woods and meadow into another wetlands. I decided this was a perfect place to send greetings to Aaron. The edge of the river was bordered by woods and an eight foot bank. A pile of dried oak leaves lit by the Zippo Aaron gave to me years ago for Father's Day produced a sweet smoke. The Northwest wind took the smoke, whirled it around the hollow, covered Doc, me, and the open water like a blessing, and whisked it off to the Southeast. As the smoke made its journey I thanked Aaron for all that he taught me during his journey on earth and wished him well in his adventures. I promised Aaron that I will live my life continuing our bonds and honoring his respect for nature.

Doc and I headed for home and made a quick stop at the local hardware store. A young lady working the cash register rang up my purchase. She used my last name and I asked how she knew my name as I had not given it to her. She said "I knew Aaron." I wish I would have asked what she remembers about Aaron. I could use some new memories.

Peace
Tom