Here it is mid-January in Pennsylvania and this weekend was the first time I needed to broom off the driveway! The snow cover was only a few inches deep.
The mid-afternoon hours came and I couldn’t fight the urge to go walking in the snow armed with camera and walking stick. The trek I decide don was along Cowanshannock Creek here in Armstrong County. This section of the creek is covered with rocks varying in sizes up to as big as trucks. 
The trail runs parallel to the creek for a distance, but I chose to search the rocky creek banks for photo opportunities. This area is hazardous walking all year. Today, instead of wet moss the rocks had ice and snow on them. (Understand why I needed the walking stick as a third leg!)
The water was colored and fast, but still beautiful to view. The rocks were snow-covered. The banks often yielded to contrasting colors of hemlock and rhododendrons.
Drenched!
A one point, I glanced up-stream and could see some vividly colored clothing covering two bodies. I wondered just what I was seeing when I realized these two guys were “surfing” down the stream. I watched as they both often fell into the water as they pursued their sport.
The walk continued, but, there were several sites where I was forced to go upslope and walk the trail some. Eventually, I came to the rail’s end at a [place known locally as Buttermilk Falls. I spent some time at the site captivated to the beauty of nature. Time’s like these one would have difficulty in believing in a creator! 
Skunk Cabbage
I noticed still water coming from a spring seep. In the midst was a single skunk cabbage stalk shooting forth awaiting the early spring warmth.
The hike back was on the trail. I walked slow for I didn’t want the afternoon to end. times like these often cause me to reflect on the things of my life. Things such as: bad decisions;missed opportunities; passed away loved ones; my future; my wife’s future; family and so many other things. Sometimes I arrange songs in my brain waves. Today, I wished I could see my grandparents and dad once again. I long hug would be appropriate with simple words of, “I miss you.”
The snow floated down softly and quietly from the heavens above. I tried to focus on a single flake. I thought how a very small flake in its origins joined with other flakes to make this one of about half an inch in size. How many small flakes joined to make this one? I wondered to myself. The sad aspect of that flake is once it touches the existing blanket of snow it immediately disappears. I could not pick it out. So many snow crystals to make this white blanket of white soft snow. This amazes me!
Ice Ornaments
The walk came to an end way to soon, but I felt all the better for engaging in the time. As for critters, few were out and about. I saw a couple of winter wrens and three cardinals. Monday, cousin Donny and my step-father are planning on some outdoor time together. Should be fun! 
Larry A. Smail's Blog 
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