Hard to believe that I’d be riding the trails and have this view on the first week of February. I’ve always loved the silver birches. As a child I would take the curling papery bark from the ground and pretend it was paper, writing messages to invisible friends. The birch is a symbol of renewal: They are known as “nursery trees” and are the first to grow on land scorched by fire. They are one of the first trees to bloom in the spring and their wood was traditionally used for May poles, to celebrate renewal and rebirth. Druids used birch branches to drive out the spirits of the old year. Funnily enough, Silver Birches are not native to North America. In some states they are considered an invasive species, so quickly do they procreate. But I’m just hoping that on this February day, these white trunks glowing in the sun are the sign of an early spring.
Funny, with the exception of the blizzard, it’s not been a terrible winter here in the Mid-Atlantic. Yet, I’m somehow very weary of winter and looking for signs of spring. Your silvery, shimmering trees light up the landscape and illuminate the way.
Funny, with the exception of the blizzard, it’s not been a terrible winter here in the Mid-Atlantic. Yet, I’m somehow very weary of winter and looking for signs of spring. Your silvery, shimmering trees light up the landscape and illuminate the way.
Of course, just to mock us, today we’re getting 6-10 inches of snow!