With soaring temperatures outside, I thought it’d be nice to bring some refreshing coolness into our lives. Back in March of 2018, we had a beautiful Saturday morning just after a fresh snowfall. The temperature was relatively mild, and the snow was picturesque. It seemed like ages since I’d been outside, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to head out with my camera. I packed up my camera gear, dressed in layers, and loaded my snowshoes into the car, my destination – the woods behind the elementary school in Lyman where I grew up.

      It was a short 15-minute drive to the school, and it was absolutely beautiful. I wasn’t sure exactly what I’d find, but I knew it’d be worth it. I parked my jeep at the trailhead behind the school and geared up. The snow was quite deep and slow going, but it was fantastic.

      Soon, I joined the main trail, which had already been packed down by snowmobilers. That made the walking much easier. My head was on a swivel as I walked, not only on the lookout for potential subject matter for my lens, but also to just take it all in. I’d always loved those woods, and it was great to be back. I was reliving a lot of memories while also experiencing everything anew. So much was the same, while so much had changed.

      Those woods hold a lot of history. There are numerous small cemeteries scattered throughout, mostly forgotten, at least when I’d been small. I came across one of the larger ones and was delighted to find it was being somewhat maintained. There were some relatively new American flags on some of the plots. I decided this would be perfect for my first bit of photography. I think I was there for about a half-hour, working on different compositions. The juxtaposition of the old stones and the new flags with the young forest growth and fresh snow was fascinating.

Chained entrance to the cemetery. Lyman, Maine

Some of the old headstones with a new American flag. Lyman, Maine

Old stones and new growth. Lyman, Maine

Snow and lichen on a tree. Lyman, Maine

      In addition to the many cemeteries, there are other remnants of the past. You don’t have to walk far before coming across rock walls that were boundary markers between farmers’ fields or stone foundations that are all that remain of someone’s home. I don’t know how true any of this is, but it was always my understanding that those woods had all been farmland in the 1800s. During the Civil War, most of the men left to fight, and many did not come back. A lot of the farms were abandoned, and the forest started to return. Then, in the following century, we had the Fire of ’47, which burned most of southern Maine to the ground. All of those trees I had played amongst as a child and that I was snowshoeing through now had grown in the years since. As I said, I don’t know how much of that is exactly true, but it certainly made exploring those woods interesting as a child.

      After finishing up at the cemetery, I continued my hike along the main trail. This was an old forest road, and it appeared to have seen some activity in recent years, as it was wider and no longer overgrown like it had been in the past. I passed some old foundations and other smaller cemeteries. Eventually, the snowmobile trail veered off to the right away from the old woods road. Given how much had changed, I wasn’t sure where that would go, so I decided to stick to the more familiar route. I headed into the virgin snow, once again having a harder time of it, though still a lot of fun.

      I kept my eye out for animals along the way. I could hear some tweets flitting through the air as I went. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to spot any of the critters making the sounds. I came across some deer tracks, but nothing else. Lastly, I did see some sort of bird of prey flying about above the canopy, but I never was able to get a good look at it.

      Before long, I came to a spot where the trail created an interesting shape with the surrounding trees flanking it. It was enough to catch my eye, so I decided to get out my camera once more. I spent a good while there photographing the trail and details of the trees nearby. I kept feeling there was something else there, that I wasn’t quite getting it. I’m not sure I ever quite got ‘it’, but I enjoyed the challenge and the photos I came away with.

Curve in the trail around a fallen tree. Lyman, Maine

Same view of the trail, but the curve isn't as apparent. Lyman, Maine

Details of a birch tree alongside the trail. Lyman, Maine

Another birch tree by the trail with snow-covered boughs in the back. Lyman, Maine

Snow clinging to the side of a birch tree near the path. Lyman, Maine

      When I was done, I decided it was about time to head back. It was getting “warmer” with the sun nearly overhead, so a lot of the snow had already melted/dropped off the branches, leaving them bare once more. It was still pretty, but the forest no longer had quite the magical quality it gets after a freshly fallen snow. I started back, still keeping an eye out for animals and other compositions, but the only thing I found was a snowmobiler whizzing down the trail. It was a relatively short day out, but it was exhilarating, invigorating, and oh so much fun, as any jaunt in the snow should be.

Wonderful detail of a birch tree with snow-covered boughs forming the backdrop. Lyman, Maine