February’s Snow Moon marks our first adventure
About 29 years ago when my daughters were 8 and 2 years old, we camped at Cave Run Lake in Kentucky. There was a visitor center where I found a book called Walk When the Moon is Full. The author describes thirteen moonlight walks with her children and the nature observations they made. I fell in love with the idea and initiated the practice that year.
I don’t know why I didn’t document the expeditions. Life got in the way. Priorities shifted. Years passed, the girls grew up and moved away, and the book got lost in the shuffle.
Enter my curious 7-year-old granddaughter, Ellie.
I located a copy of the now out of print book to revisit ideas and Ellie, Pawpaw, and I walked Saturday night under the full February Snow Moon.
We didn’t see any wildlife, it was extremely muddy, there was a light rain and lots of cloud cover. Ellie nearly lost a boot in the mud crossing the creek. The dog ran off, our two cats stalked us like panthers, and Ellie talked herself right into being afraid of the dark. She was eager to get back to the house.
But here’s the thing—we had fun. She spent the day beforehand getting ready for the journey. Flashlight, boots, rain coat. The anticipation was delightful. The preparation.
We saw the little pond at dark. We heard strange noises and tried to identify them. We heard the blue Heron squawk as he flew away from the nearby cove. We waded into the swamp a little way. We made scary faces in the flashlight glow. Took some photos.
Nothing major, really, but it was an adventure. One we will refine and repeat. Next month is the Full Worm Moon on March 28th and we will walk again.
When the moon is full.