I know it’s been a warm fall because my toes are still dirty. The problem is, of course, wetlands. I cannot resist running through wetlands which leads to wet feet and dirty toes. Ferny, shrubby, marshy wetlands, forested wetlands, floodplains, beaver dams, vernal pools–it doesn’t matter, I hop and jump and squelch through all of them running the trails around my house. If the wetlands aren’t on the trails sooner or later I end up crashing through the underbrush investigating a reflection of water, the sudden flight of ducks, or the sound of frogs. I know the nearby woods as well as any hunter or hiker or birder or fisherman, not just the land above, but the soil beneath. The organic detritus of wetlands soaks through my sneakers dyeing my socks dirty grey and covering my toes with fine grit.
When the ground freezes my explorations will range farther crossing the frozen surfaces of deep marshes, lily ponds and swamps. I can’t wait. My toes will be happy too!
Have a great Thanksgiving!
Jeanne Christie
