Today we hiked a loop around Tuscarora Sate Park. The hike starts along the lake. It was fine on the south side but the north (where the sun doesn’t hit) was icy as I expected. We switched into light traction which was more to keep from slipping as there’s really not much elevation on this hike. I love Tuscarora. The terrain here is not your typical ankle breaking rocks jutting out of the ground like most of the trails I’ve experienced in Pennsylvania. I’m not sure why that is, exactly, but it’s so pleasant when you can actually look up from your feet and enjoy the scenery. This loop trail isn’t listed on the map. You actually have to walk along the street for a bit and then jump the guard rail to reconnect with it to make it a loop. We did this over the summer and it was just as pretty in the winter. I spotted a white robin today too. It wasn’t an albino though. The white is caused by a genetic condition called leucism which prevents pigments from reaching some of the feathers. I tried getting some photos, but since I didn’t have my birding camera with me, they didn’t come out very well. At least I got a good enough photo to I.D. the bird. After the hike we took time to enjoy the icy beach. I’m really enjoying these beaches in the winter when no one is on them. In the summer, that may be a different story! :)

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