When I saw the Winter Aconite blooming in my neighbor's yard, I immediately thought of another sign of spring...the red-winged blackbird. I decided to hike out to Cedar Pond where I usually see them.
The main trail was completely snow and ice-free.
At the turnoff for Cedar Pond I saw the first ice on the trail.
I started down the trail.
It wasn't as clear as the main trail but it wasn't bad. All I had to do was walk in the tracks of the "Gator" that the staff uses to monitor the park.
However the tracks disappeared. By then I was so far along on the trail I decided to keep going. I had my pointed end walking stick with me.
Beside the boot track I spied a deer track...
And looking up I saw a deer trail.
I made it to Cedar Pond with only a few slips and no falls.
As I returned to the parking lot, I saw park staff pulling in.
And before I left they were busy loading up sand to spread on the trails. Hurrah for the park staff.
Maybe the Winter Aconite was an enticement to get me out on this walk. It worked but I did decide that I was fooled by Ohio's Fool's Spring. I would do the walk again. I would hate to miss Ohio's Real Spring.
