Chapter One, Hays Brook Truck Trail

It was midday Monday up at the farm and I'd already toured Brasher Iron Works (see previous posts) and done my shopping in Massena.  There was still time for a hike and the weather was beautiful. So I drove south to the parking area for the Hays Brook horse trail and was surprised to find that in spite of the snow cover, quite a few other people had the same idea:

But there were four trails to choose from and a huge expanse of Debar Mountain Wild Forest in which to hike. I chose the Hays Brook Truck Trail, let the dogs out and headed down the road to the trail head:  

The road itself was quite beautiful although the snow was deep and the walking difficult. But the dogs were ecstatic and we forged onward:

We arrived at the trail head for three of the four trails and noted that Hays Brook, our destination was only 3 miles. Well, I thought, 3 miles each way might turn out to be quite a lot if the snow made for difficult walking. But there was nothing for it but to get started and then decide:

The cross country skiers had made a nice indentation in the snow and I kept inside of that. The dogs did also, at least most of the time:

It was sunny, the scenery beautiful and all was right with the world:

Madeline looked back to see what was taking the rest of us so long:

Seamus went ahead while the other four were stuck at some fascinating smell:

We proceeded through a forest of Red and White Pines, exquisitely beautiful with their frosting of snow:

And the youngsters ran ahead, then back, then ahead, then back. Oh, to have such energy!:

I was just happy to be out in nature again and especially so on such a clear, bright day:

I knew that the Osgood River was just ahead, but I'll post about that tomorrow: