Subconsciously influenced by the composers of Christmas carols written in snowy European countries, most of us imagine the first Christmas as occurring on a midnight clear in the deep of midwinter… in a marshmallow world… sort of like within a scene on a greeting card. We at Crossroads are consciously dreaming of a White December.

In spite of their name, snowshoe hares probably do not dream of snow. It is unlikely that most hares have even experienced snow. Mortality rates are dismal for members of the rabbit family Fewer than one of three snowshoes survive to their second winter. But were it not for snow, survival rates would be even smaller.

These winter-white mammals are perfectly adapted to days when snow lays all about, crisp, and thick and even. In fact, crisp snow is offers a real advantage to hares. Their hind feet are enormous and covered with coarse hair which enables them to bound over the snow, while their numerous predators get bogged down in the drifts.

Ruffed grouse , similarly, can walk on snow. These chicken-sized birds sometimes even sleep in drifts.Their feet are not that large, but this time of year, funny little projections grow on their toes, sort of like the teeth of a comb. The projections act like snowshoes.

Whether we are talking about mammals and birds with large, wide feet, or people who strap on snowshoes, the principle is the same. An enlarged surface area distributes weight across a larger area so that snow can support the weight of a body.

And at Crossroads – once we have snow – grouse and hikers will be walking on the surface of the snow. Again this year, Friends of Crossroads will continue to administer Community Ski program. Between 1 and 3 pm on Sunday afternoons, visitors are invited to borrow skis or snowshoes and to celebrate the beauty of winter on our trails.

Thanks to a grant from the Door County Memorial Hospital Ministry Health Care, our trails are and will continue to be in great shape. Ski trails will be groomed for traditional and skate skiing. Designated hiking trails will be groomed for dog walking and hiking.

If you’d like to know more about snow, Crossroads will present a lecture called, “Snow” on Sunday, December 6, at 4 pm (by which time we will no longer be loaning skis, though many do enjoy skiing by the practically full moon. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Crossroads is a donor supported preserve welcoming learners of all ages for programs in science, history and the environment. The Collins Learning Center, located at 2041 Michigan Street in Sturgeon Bay, is open 2 – 5 pm daily. Trails are open. Pets (on leash and under control) are permitted but once we have snow, hikers and dog walkers are asked to use the designated trails.

Wednesday, December 2,
Friends of Crossroads Deck the Center Party
The Friends of Crossroads will gather at the Collins Learning Center to Deck the Halls. After preparing the learning center for the holidays, the Friends will hold a short meeting, while sharing merriment and holiday goodies. Visitors are encouraged. Collins Learning Center.

Sunday, December 6, 1:00-3:00 (snow permitting)
Community Ski
Friends of Crossroads will loan skis and snowshoes to children and adults who wish to use them on a first-come-first-serve basis. This is our gift to the community. Come to the Collins Learning Center. If in doubt about snow conditions, call 746-5895.

4:00
Lecture: “Snow”
This slide presentation will show the amazingly varied shapes of snow flakes and describe how snow forms under different conditions. The lecture is free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.