Happy New Year to everyone in Cavan-Monaghan! On the last Saturday of the old year I felt the need of a walk and so, in the late afternoon, I headed out to walk the Baxter Creek Trail from the Millbrook fairgrounds to Medd’s Mountain Park. It was a frigid but brilliant afternoon; but the cold was a positive thing, meaning that the ground was beautifully firm. You might remember that the day before the temperature had risen, for a single day, to 8 degrees with rain and then plummeted.
This trail along Baxter Creek is wonderful because it follows very closely the route of the creek. It is very flat, and in dry or cold weather the wet areas are no problem. Here and there along the creek, trees have fallen into the stream. Some people might think this is unsightly and something to be cleared out. But to me it offers visual interest, and I’m told it is beneficial for fish and other creatures who seek shelter in these snags. And not only does it offer visual interest, the sound of the water lapping at the tree trunks or making other interesting sounds simply increases the enjoyment of the water’s movement. You might think that this would contribute to a colder feeling but I don’t find that. In the summer heat, though, it certainly does offer a sense of refreshment.
One of the reasons for setting out for a walk this afternoon was to shake that sluggish, overfed feeling so common during the holidays where over-eating and under-exercising seems to be part of the tradition. But another reason for me was to get out in the hopes of seeing a Snowy Owl. I’ve written in years past of the possibility of seeing these magnificent raptors in the winter. They sometimes “irrupt” from their usual territory further north. This winter would seem to be another irruptive season (I have had several reports from friends to verify this!). Alas! I was not meant to spot one this afternoon. But the fresh air, the light and the other sights and sounds more than made up for this disappointment.
This sunny late afternoon meant that the sun was brightening the tree tops and casting golden light on the forest on Medd’s Mountain. Winter and summer this is a lovely effect. The colour of the light itself and the colours that this light draws forth are stunning. On a cold day it is even more satisfying than in the warmth of summer.
Rounding one of the bends of the boardwalk, I was interested to find that a very large willow trunk had come down some time earlier. It has all been cleared off the boardwalk, which from the look of the debris it would have meant great difficulty in getting past if it had not been cleared away. I stopped to look at the massive trunk that had fallen. Our native Black Willow is an impressive tree. It can grow very large. And the bark on large trees is very thick and deeply furrowed. The bark on one of the cut pieces was about 2 inches/5cm thick. Let me congratulate the trails’ committee that does such a good job of maintaining the trails. But they don’t do it alone! The outdoor staff of the Township are very helpful with large jobs such as clearing up a major tree fall. I have no doubt that a couple of them came out with their chainsaws in order to clear the boardwalk, allowing us to freely use the trail.
Our network of trails in the Millbrook area are a wonderful resource and they’re waiting for you. They are enjoyable in all seasons. But with our fluctuating temperatures and changeable precipitation it can mean icy conditions, especially on areas of the boardwalk. Be careful!
Health and happiness in 2019. Get out! And enjoy!
Get Out! by Glen Spurrell
