The temperature “soared” all the way to 45 degrees today! Believe me, that feels like a Spring day here after the long and cold past several months. There is still snow here and there on the ground and some of the huge piles found in various parking lots look to be there until the 4th of July.

Anyway, today seemed like a great day to go see if any of the Snow Drops (flowers) have begun pushing their way through the cold earth and snow. I did not actually expect to see any…but I was hopeful nonetheless. What do you know! We did find a few hardy little flowers poking through but the flower petals have not opened yet. We will go back in a few days to check on their progress.

A few months ago the present owners of Hollyhock Hollow, the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy planted a Redbud tree in memory of my Dad, Bruce Dodson. Since today would have been my Dad’s 96th Birthday we also decided that it would be a good day to check on the tree. It will be several more weeks before we can actually tell if the tree made it through the winter OK and hopefully blooms this year, but as far as we could tell the tree looks nice and health.

While we were walking about we decided to see if the old water well that was part of the orignial homestead the Dr. and Mrs. Robert Rienow owned back when the property was called Hollhock Hollow Farm would still put forth water. I had to pump for awhile to get the pump to pull up some water and the first bit was a bit brown, but it didn’t take long before crystal clear and very cold water came rushing out. I have no idea when the well was put in, but it was a long time ago. Pretty neat to see some old stuff still working I think.

The trails were mostly still snow and ice covered so we didn’t venture far from the road that runs through the sanctuary, but that was enough to get us back out into nature even if it was just a glimpse or two. Theresa ventured out for a short distance on one of the trails that was close to the Onesquethaw Creek, but it was solid ice covered and slick. I decided that I would just stand on the road and take a picture of her trying her best not to take a spill. She didn’t fall, but it was a very careful and slow walk back to the road surface for sure.

With one day of warmer tempatures, the snow is melting quickly, which makes for a rolling Onesquethaw Creek. We love to visit this sanctuary and watch the creek flow over and around the rocks and boulders as the water makes its way to the Hudson River. Although we were only at the sanctuary for about an hour, it was a much needed break from all the cold weather and high winds we have been having. Come on Spring!!!