Spring Break Up

It is an impressive break up. The maestro conducts a symphony that crushes eardrums with locomotive rumbling, thumping, bumping, and dumping of large chunks of cracking, crackling crystalline ice pushing down river. Hundreds of tons of ice come together – hopefully without devastation. It is an environment of change. In soto voce, soft rippling rivulets, icicles dribbling, dripping droplets, the slushing of crusted, melting snow. Snowshoe hares, squirrels, and wolverine emerge into full Spring activity. Mush dogs’ serenades ride the winds, yipping and campaigning for dinner. Time to secure Winter’s store of firewood, move boats and fish wheels to higher ground. Time to hunt and gather fresh food for stores. Time to begin restocking fresh meats of muskrat, beaver, duck, goose, and swan. Time to rebuild and repair. Break up – one of the best times of the year.