With the temperature finally rising above freezing, and the snow packed down from snowmobiles, it was time to hit the trails for Asa’s first walk in the woods!  We were all excited to show him our favorite places along the trail: Dad, the open field; Mom, the frozen brook; and I couldn’t wait to start tracking wildlife with Asa by my side!  I could see so many animal tracks in the snow from as tiny as a mouse to as big as a deer.  There were even coyote tracks heading off into parts unknown.  Just one sniff of the wind, and I knew this was going to be a great hike!

But as usual, Asa had his own plan on how he wanted to spend the day.  He insisted on slowing us down to inspect (not to mention taste) each and every tree and bush, and even to go on leaf search and rescue missions in the snowdrifts along the trail.  How boring!  That is until he discovered his first rock.  The little guy was so excited.  Then it hit us – this is all new to him!  So we slowed our pace, and followed Asa’s lead by enjoying the beauty of the world around us, walking in a wooded wonderland.  Besides, I’m not sure what we’d do if we ever caught up to one of the animals I was tracking.