~ ~ ~ ~ The Bobble Cap ~ ~ ~ ~
There was still ice on the water when Paul and I walked on the Kennebec River Rail Trail early last week. We were bundled up; the day was bright but cold. We were alone on the trail, save for a bald eagle perched high in a tree. He watched us solemnly, and judged us to be not good eating.
We had returned to the trail, where we walk regularly in spring, summer and fall, after weeks of exercising at the YMCA. We’re grateful we have a place to go when it’s too icy and frigid to walk outside, but we’re eager to get back into nature again.
Spring officially arrived last Friday. On Saturday, we walked on the trail again. It was cloudy and raw. But yes, we said, we want to be outside. The trail was quiet as we headed toward Hallowell. The ice was gone, I noted. A tufted titmouse sang mightily. A group of raptors flew overhead.
Suddenly, a voice. “Hello!” It was a woman we often see walking. She passed us and waved. “Good morning!” We responded. She headed down the trail, her bobble hat bouncing merrily.
Soon came another familiar face, the man with the Very Good Black Lab. “Hello!” We all said.
We turned around after walking a mile. The sun came out. More people were heading down the trail. More familiar faces. “Hello! Hello!”
I felt like perhaps, maybe, spring had truly arrived.
Today it is snowing. I am not walking today, but I’m not fretting. I have literally seen the light—shining over the Kennebec’s free-moving waters. The weather’s not settled yet, but it’s already brighter and warmer out there. The natives—the eagles, the titmice, the walkers—have returned to the trail.
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I welcome email at lizzie621@icloud.com
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