Yeah, the weather is dreary, gray and that kind of chilly that’s neither here nor there, just above zero. The trees are bare and what was a beautiful white Christmas snowfall has melted into patches and piles of hardened, dirt-flecked snow.
Want to be reminded that summer is coming? Join the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes at their YouTube channel for a virtual hike called “Summer in the Doan Brook.” Walk along the boardwalk trail and explore the brook, lake, marsh and woods.
But you know what? If you want some exercise and a taste of the outdoors, and have a nice warm coat, you can head over the Nature Center now. While its building isn’t open, its trails are, including its new All People’s Trail which is ADA-accessible. From there you can walk through the woods, along Doan Brook and get a good view of the marsh and Lower Shaker Lake. And while the plants and trees will not be in lush bloom as they are in August, there’s plenty of winter wildlife to observe.
It’s free and open from dawn until dusk. They ask that you wear a mask and keep a distance from other groups.