What's In The Woods

by Victoria Vacher and Christopher Vacher

    Spring, with its bounty of brilliant colors, provides immense enjoyment after a long winter.  Summer has a plethora of blooms, fresh produce, and comfortable weather for adventuring outdoors.  Autumn foliage is magnificent and a tourism boon to communities in the Appalachian Mountain range. The eastern hardwood forests invite people from all over the world to come and enjoy 'leaf peeping'. Winter, however, is viewed by many people as dull and lifeless. Except for snow sport enthusiasts, poor winter gets a bad rap among many nature lovers. The truth is that the forest is very much alive in the winter as well and there is an abundance of beauty to see and enjoy. The absence of leaves in the winter reveals the natural features of the landscape scenery hidden in other seasons.  After a snowfall, hardy nature lovers daring to hike out are rewarded with the beauty, quiet and peace surrounding them. A brisk walk in the cold can be invigorating and enjoyable especially when hot cocoa or hot toddy's await you by a warm fire afterwards!