Chintz & Swagger: New Year's Eve Stroll (& Mother Nature at Her Finest)

Earlier today as I watched snow flurries falling I decided the most important thing I had to do today was get out for a reflective & peaceful New Year's Eve stroll. After a few condensed weeks of socializing, being "on" & eating more (& less healthy) than I'm used to, I absolutely needed quiet time in nature by myself to get back to my center. I came upon my favorite area on the walking trail, stairs that lead down to a creek, & saw that the creek was flooded & frozen- what a cool sight...

My ipod was playing & as I walked down the steps to check out the scene I heard strange loud crackles...I took out my headphones to listen & all around me I heard crackly pop explosions, some quiet & some loud that sounded like trees were cracking & falling into the ice...but as I looked around I didn't see any trees falling or any ice breaking. I'm not sure what was going on in the ice to make such sounds but honestly it was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had in nature. As I continued to walk along the trail, which is flanked by the water, the sounds continued in a little symphony. The best & most beautiful things in life really are free (& often unexpected :). Check out my video so you can get a little peep of my experience- be sure to turn up the volume to hear all the crazy ice crackle pop sounds & a cute little bird chirping!... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAZFPBVNyP0