Stepping out the back door…
By Peg Lariviere
There’s something enchanting about a snowy forest path, especially when it feels like you’re stepping into a hidden world.
Today, I strapped on my snowshoes and picked up the narrow trail that runs behind 85 Washington Crescent. The soft ribbon of fresh snow beckoned me deeper into the heart of the woods, each step revealing more of nature’s quiet beauty.
As I made my way along this path, the towering trees closed in on either side, their branches bowed low and heavy with powdery snow. It felt as though I was navigating through a secret tunnel, with a canopy of white arching gracefully above me. The scene was largely monochrome—a bright, clean white set against the deep, almost-black silhouettes of the trunks, with muted greens of the needles peeking out beneath the snow, creating a striking contrast that was both serene and stunning.
I couldn’t help but notice the surface of the trail, which showed faint impressions of two tracks. Perhaps a narrow sled or ATV had made its way through recently, but otherwise, the snow appeared pristine and untouched. It was as if the forest had been holding its breath, waiting for someone to come and disturb its tranquil blanket.
Snow clung in soft clumps to the horizontal limbs of the evergreens, forming rounded shapes that contrasted beautifully with the thin, vertical lines of the birch and fir trunks. The light here was diffused and gentle. This soft glow bathed the entire scene in a muted, shadow-free light, reinforcing a sense of intimacy and calm.
In this moment, the world felt hushed. The snow blanketed everything, absorbing sound so that even the usual forest noises were muted. The air was cold and crisp, inviting a mindful, gentle pace. With each careful crunch of my snowshoes echoing in the stillness, I felt more in tune with my surroundings, as if the forest was weaving me into its quiet story.
As the path narrowed and faded into the embrace of darker trees ahead, I sensed the promise of mystery waiting in the deeper woods. It invited a slow, mindful walk, the hushed crunch of my snowshoes the only disturbance to break the stillness.
If you ever find yourself wandering a snowy trail, take your time. Listen to the whispers of the trees, the soft crunch beneath your feet, and allow the enchantment of the woods to envelop you. It’s a journey worth savouring.