There’s no better way to spend a winter morning than a walk in nature. On Monday morning, January 30, a group of us met at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve at 10:00 am, and after brief introductions headed out to the trails. Randy Barker led us through the preserve for an approximate 4 mile walk in what turned out to be a brisk, 25 degree, snowy morning. We were fortunate that the snow arrived just in time to coat the icy surfaces of the trails. We all donned traction devices as an extra precaution, so we felt sure-footed as we strolled along. The soft snowfall always adds a bit of magic to being outdoors in the winter and it was a delightful time for all. 
The woods were unusually quiet and the wildlife absent, but we enjoyed visiting with each other and getting to know a couple of the newcomers.
This winter has been quite bizarre with record snowfalls early on, and nothing much thereafter. The early storms forced most of us to remain indoors so our snowshoes and skis suffered the same fate.
While lamenting the lack of snow, we can at least hope this will predict an early, mild spring. Either way, it shouldn’t be long before the weather warms up for good and the peepers begin calling. Be sure to check our newsletters for a future spring peeper walk at Reinstein!
– Susan Kolasz & Pamela Sander