One of many wonderful things about deep winter here in the Northeast is full moon hiking. Out in a nighttime forest, civilization recedes, and something – more primeval – emerges; you become just another animal abroad on the land. The senses, particularly hearing, will sharpen to find a new equilibrium. Safety seems less assured, the town distant. You move beyond your comfort zone, go as deep and as long into the night as you dare, and eventually turn back, to hearth and home, a bit wilder for the experience.
The steady flow of sap in March, triggered by the day/night rhythm of temperatures moving above and below freezing, is a sure sign of Spring in the north country. The apparatus used for sap collection include the taps (inserted into the trees), the tubing (through which the sap flows – by gravity), and the collection barrel (partially visible behind the trees). The collected sap is then carted off to an evaporator, where it boils down to – voila! – maple syrup.
The evening twilight grows longer with each passing day at this time of the year. The phenomenon has long been observed, and commented upon, in these parts: “as the day lengthens, so the cold strengthens.” Well, until the end of January anyway, when, according to the hardier souls up here, winter is basically over. This photo was taken about 25 minutes after sunset (and about 30 minutes after the photo immediately below).
I remain quite fond of these north country winters, harsh though they may be. Snowshoeing a quiet forest at dusk under a waxing moon, shoveling the driveway (ok – when the snow is light and the accumulation under 6 inches), feeling the solar gain on an early February day, or just the simple way the season turns you inward – its gifts are manifold. Perhaps the best though, are in the heat and dancing light of a good fire in a wood stove, (complete with a cast iron pot full of water to humidify the air) – these have carried me through many a winter.
