This was happening just eleven days ago.

When the snow started falling I hastily donned layers and boots and headed out with my faithful walking companion.  Xav seems to love the snow as much as I do and I had a feeling this would be our last significant snow of the season.  After visiting our normal trails we eventually headed off in a direction I’ve not yet taken this winter, in the woods behind our home.  I was looking for something we used to visit often in years past but which is hard to find in the summer when underbrush tends to hide it.

It’s been more than six years since I last looked for this old girl and I almost missed her this time.  She’s nestled way back in the woods and it wasn’t until I turned around to head home that I spied her.

I’ve always wanted to know her story….how she got there and when.

Way back in the 70’s when I  was in high school my friends and I used to hang out in an abandoned car in a store parking lot.  We spent many hours in it….talking, planning, dreaming and wondering what our adult lives would bring.  I imagine the same has been done out here in these woods, in this car, probably by several generations of teenagers, away from adult eyes and ears.

I can already sense spring in the air.  Soon these woods will explode with growing vines and new leaves, and the air will be full of sound. She’ll blend back into her surroundings and many hikers will pass by without noticing her but I’ll remember this last winter walk in the woods when the silence was deep and I stopped to contemplate the many secrets she holds.

I’ll miss these winter walks.