There’s Magic Out There

There’s magic in them there woods!

Spring is here. 

It’s warm enough that we are out hiking again. We’re working our way through the system of recreational trails, focusing on easy ones. My partner has a bum knee and I have tendinosis in my elbow (you wouldn’t think that would hurt hiking, but try walking with a straight arm for a few hours—ouch).

So far, not too much elevation, just a few miles at a time.

The perfect challenge for now.

We are starting to dream again about the 4000-footer mountains waiting for us this summer. Of the 48 total in New Hampshire, I have 20 down, 28 still to go. You can tell by name alone that some of these are not super fun: Mount Isolation. Or Owl’s Head. And there’s the Bonds—Bondcliff, Mount Bond, and West Bond—21.4 miles out and back. 

Remember, a marathon is 26.2 miles. Usually on flat ground. 

I want to keep tackling these mountains. 

But we have to get over our injuries first. So, we’re on the remedial path. 

This past weekend, in one of our local faves, we found some of the magic in the woods. Kimball Pond Conservation Area is almost 1000 acres and a sweet 5 miles from our house. No snow, moderate hills, birds and trees at all stages of life. It was quiet—only one other family in the hour-long hike.  

But there was a surprise in store for us on the East Side Trail. 

About a third of the way down the trail, we stumbled across a decorated Christmas tree.

A decorated Christmas tree!

In March!

It had a silver star at the top, and dozens of small red, purple, and pink bulbs on it.

Now, I consider myself an environmentalist. It’s not great to be putting plastic crap out in the woods. But, on the other hand: The magic of it!

I wanted to know the story of this enchanted tree.

I imagined someone sneaking out ahead of their family, toting tiny bulbs in their backpack. I could picture them smiling as they hung the tiny bulbs on the little branches and then placed a star on top. And then they suggested to that family member or friend they go for a hike at Kimball Pond.

Perhaps they asked that person to marry them.

Or maybe it was just a fun surprise for someone who loves Christmas.

Or maybe it was just a fun surprise for us—for those of us out hiking that way.

What magic is catching you off guard in your life?

And do you recognize the serendipity when it shows up?

Who do you know who might need some magic like this infused into their life right now?

My partner pointed out that a few bulbs had fallen to the ground, so we picked them up and hung them back on the tree. A few no longer had their hanger attached—so I said, “We can still hang them! We can just hook them to another ornament’s hanger!”

And as we did just that, we noticed there were several other two-bulbs-to-a-hanger on the tree. 

Other hikers had done the same thing.

I smiled to myself, imagining others happening upon the same tree and finding the same delight that I did. And then seeing bulbs on the ground and rehanging them.

Of course! This is why the tree was still so intact three months after Christmas,

I am grateful to be able to be outside more now that it's spring. I’m grateful to live in a state that has 1.8 million acres of protected land and that is committed to taking care of its natural resources.

I know I will always find something in them there woods. 

Just enough magic to keep me going.

And sometimes, I may find myself.

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