Ice Time

Ice Time by Earl Plato

We stood on a grassy knoll overlooking the acre-sized pond. Wife Elaine, daughter Liz, son-in-law Neil and I looked out over the placid waters of Trail Wood pond in eastern-central Connecticut. That was two years ago. What a pleasure to walk the trails of the late nature writer Ed Teale’s pristine preserve. I quote from his beloved book, A Walk Through the Years. It is November 29th at Trail Wood. “ Cold has turned the key. Ice locks in the pond. Ever since our short Indian Summer ended, dawns have lighted a fine fringing of frozen water along the edges. This lace-work of crystals has widened according to the dramatic drop in temperatures.”
Writer’s note: Teale’s records show the mercury fell to over twenty degrees Fahrenheit below freezing on that day.
“ I walk down the slope to the pond. Ice, in a thin but unbroken sheet, extends from shore to shore. One of those sudden dramatic landmark events has come in the night. Slowly I advance along the path encircling the pond edges. … with the coming of the ice much of the life seems to go out of the pond.”
Writer’s note: Be an observer of our local Fort Erie ponds. When do they freeze over? Remember Teale’s Trail Wood pond was more than an acre in size. Record the freeze overs?