Snowless at Silver Creek

Today was the monthly hike of the Spirit of the Woods Chapter of the North Country Trail Association (trail club). We went to Silver Creek Pathway, where Ellen and I hiked in February. Ellen and I drove up together- it's a fairly good drive, and Loren came too, with her dogs. So we were three people and four dogs!

We are supposed to get rain tonight, but we haven't been getting the predicted rain all week, so things are still dry and brown. Nevertheless, there's a big difference from February.



This picture of Loren and Ellen is taken the same place as a picture of Ellen with all the snow in Ellen and Joan Go To Silver Creek

This time, we did the whole 4-mile loop. I had forgotten how pretty the east side is, with views from high banks like this one.



The day warmed to over 60 degrees, our first this year! The pines started to heat up and we could smell their clean scent against the background of the gurgling river. Chickadees, nuthatches, song sparrows, and robins sang! At Silver Creek we saw some interesting tracks in the mud:


I'm pretty sure this from a mink. Five toes, nails show, about 1.5 inches across. They are very common, but secretive. I see one or two each year.

The pileated woodpeckers were hammering on some trees in the distance, and I even saw the first butterfly of the season. Predictably, it was a mourning cloak. Last year, I saw the first one on March 22: Today- Brown, Tomorrow- Green



Finally, I just love this moss in a spot of sunlight with dry leaves around it. It's like a fire of promise for more green to come. Bring it on!