A lakeside hike. . . . . .

Yesterday . . . . . . . warm, humid, overcast.

Not a sunbeam visible.

Predicted rain didn't fall but walking near water was sticky

ending up with damp clothes and frizzed up hair.

Walkers were out in force, dogs of every breed trotted along,

babies in strollers, toddlers on bikes with training wheels,

teenagers with phones and ear buds, taking selfies, runners, 

dawdlers. Lightweight jackets, Lycra legs, snazzy sneakers,

 all shapes, sizes, ages.

Late Sunday afternoon. Two and a half miles on foot around the 

grey languid lake, alongside a husband, chatting with a daughter. 

Crossing a few sturdy wood bridges beneath still leafless trees, 

nary a sign of spring above or below. A few ducks resting in the mud,

 Canada geese preening, a group of Greater White-fronted geese

 posing, a single heron in the distance. Lines of snapping turtles lay 

on floating logs, a few squirrels dashed up and down the trees.

It was exercise. It was fresh air and a way to see nature in the 

remaining throes of winter. Now it will start to change and I plan

 to go back when the trees leaf out in new green, and birds

 will be building nests. The sun will glitter on the water and

 change the sky to brilliant Carolina blue.

Those beautiful days are on the way.