Natalie works at the Mountain Institute at Spruce Knob; and she has studied with the famous tracker Tom Brown. There was a thick blanket of fresh snow on the ground, as we broke paths through the forest, watching for tracks of wildlife. And we found plenty -- including tracks of fox, weasels, birds, and mice. We learned the difference between tracks made by creatures that walk "diagonally" -- like canines, cats, and deer -- and creatures that gallop and bound, like rabbits and squirrels. And of course, creatures that bounce around like Tigger -- like Jack Slocomb!

Blue skies, bright sun, cold air, and lots of colorful folks out cross-country skiing -- it was a perfect day, and a perfect way to start out the 2001 outing season. I found that snowshoeing is easy and really fun. And we won’t forget the scrumptious clam chowder and nachos at the White Grass Cafe, after we snowshoed home.

Thanks again to Natalie for great interpreting! See you on a Mountain Odyssey -- in 2001!

It's wild, wonderful winter scenes like the one we experienced with Natalie in Canaan Valley that makes you realize how truly the Blackwater Canyon area is "a little bit of Canada gone astray." What a cherished landscape, and how deeply future generations will thank us -- when we act to protect it today!