Gunpowder In The Winter

“I prefer winter and fall, when you can feel the bone structure in the landscape---the loneliness of it---the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it---the whole story doesn't show.” 
― Andrew Wyeth

There is a special beauty during wintertime in the mid-Atlantic region. The four seasons here provide that change, the death of winter followed by the birth of spring. Because much of the mid-Atlantic coastal region experiences relatively mild winters, the whole story is only barely hidden from our view.  We wait, knowing that it will be only a very short time until the spring story is revealed.

On a Saturday afternoon in early February, we walked the Gunpowder South Trail.  That the name that trail signs still proclaim and how it is referred to in older travel books. However, it is also a very well known section of trail in the fishing community and has since been dedicated as the Lefty Kreh Fishing Trail.

This area includes a handful of miles just under the Prettyboy Dam.  It doesn’t matter which name you use for the trail.  The important thing is that you should experience it if you have the opportunity.

We parked in the far lot, up the hill from Falls Road bridge.  We walked from the lot down the steep Highland Trail.  Despite having been whirled around in the Polar Vortex for much of the season, it was a glorious day. Warm and quiet. Just cool enough for the snow to remain solid and our feet dry.  No threat of bad weather approaching. The snow on the ground still lay undisturbed, marred only by infrequent footprints of man or wild beast.

We followed a feeder creek to the South/Lefty Kreh trail, along Gunpowder River.  We passed a pair of hikers as soon as we turned onto the main trail.  We didn't see humans again until we were exiting the trail at Falls Road bridge.

It was a glorious day, spent on a Maryland trail.  To keep updated about my adventures, please join me on my  mid-Atlantic travel page on Facebook.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

How I began Writing About the Mid-Atlantic States

As my sons entered high school, and empty nest quickly approached, I knew that I would soon have the opportunity to do more of the things I had always dreamt of doing.

One of those things was to move away from rural Indiana. I had always imagined myself living in a more urban setting and experiencing big city living. During that same time frame, I had friends scattered throughout the mid-Atlantic region and I traveled here quite a bit. The Mister was one of my friends at that time and one day we were driving down a scenic country road. The rolling farmland was covered in pristine snow and the sun was bright and warm.

I began to cry.

He was startled and asked what was wrong.

I choked out “nothing” and continued to cry.

After a moment, I was able to tell him that it was just so beautiful. The snow-covered hills, sparkling like crushed diamond waves, and the bright sunshine with not a cloud in the sky. It took my breath away. In some ways, it was vastly different than overcast Indiana winter days. It was that moment that I had decided that, in the areas I had vaguely considered, from Philadephia, PA to Washington, DC, that I was going to move somewhere slightly north of Baltimore. This Indiana girl that craved sunlight in the wintertime, had found her home.

 I suddenly knew that I was at home here.

I felt much the same way when I found this group of writing ladies. A whole new writing world suddenly opened up to me. A world that is bright, shiny, and full of promise. As soon as I got started, I immediately felt as though I were home.

This is why I am thrilled to share my stories about my travels in the mid-Atlantic Region. Maybe you are already familiar with the area. Maybe you've never heard of the area.  I’m so excited to find ways to show you the beauty of this region.

I am honored and thrilled to be here on Review This! with this group of amazing amazing and talented writers. They have invited me to be the Review This! writer on Mondays. I hope you will join me here every week.

Welcome! This is where I live. This is where my dreams are coming true. Please join me in exploring online writing and the mid-Atlantic states region.


Image Credit: Photographs ©Dawn Rae – All Rights Reserved (Click on photo for larger view)

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON: