a winter walk

After a week of bitter cold weather, then spending seven hours in the car driving to and from a funeral visitation, and yesterday getting the last of the Christmas decorations put away, cabin fever set in and I was ready for some fresh air. The day had started out at 31° (-0.55 C) but after putting the last of the Christmas ornaments away, the temperature had risen to 45° (7.2° C), the sun was shining, and I hopped in my car to take a hike a Hills and Dales MetroPark.

It was later in the afternoon and the park was empty; my car was the only one in the parking lot. The park was peaceful but it wasn't quiet. In the distance I could hear the traffic noise from I-75 and right above me geese honked as they flew in their Flying V formation. The park borders on a golf course and a foursome of golfers teed off and either complimented or chided one another for their good or not-so good shots. As I walked along the path, I heard some crunching in the leaves and there was a buck, and then another, and another, and another! Four bucks walking on the hillside. Hellos were shared with dog walkers. One man had a chocolate Lab that reminded me of one of my Labs and I got to give him some ear scritches. A road with a speed limit of 25 mph goes thorough the park and today a very loud car sped down Patterson Road. Nothing like a noisy car to disturb nature's peace. Since I arrived at the park a little after 4:00 (16:00), the sun was starting to decend toward the horizon as I headed back to the car. It was going to be a pretty sunset and I picked up the pace to get back to the car before it got too dark.

Fresh air, sunshine, tranquility. Nature calms the chaos.