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Holiday peace

Take a breather from your fast-paced holidays to gaze upon the beauty and peacefulness of nature this season, much like Robert Frost in one of his most well-known poems, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” 

Nature’s holiday respite

Meld into the velvety shadows and pools of soft radiance that only a full moon can cast on a naturalist-guided Full Moon Walk at Secor Metropark.  Mingle in the quiet, tree-lined paths in the dappled light to see nocturnal wildlife and to hear their footfalls, wing beats and melodic calls. December 6th, 5:30pm to 6:30pm meet at Secor Park’s National Center for Nature Photography parking lot.  

Slow down and enjoy an intriguing field study hike, Night Life Naturally at Stranleigh, 6-8pm  December 11 at Wildwood Metropark, starting at the Metz Visitor Center. This insightful and informative naturalist-led outing delves into the history of the Stranahan estate grounds and the surrounding wooded areas, while revealing the beauty and mystery of the park’s nocturnal wildlife.  

5100 W. Central Ave. For all Metropark programs,
visit metroparksprograms.com and for park
maps go to metroparkstoledo.com 

Holiday lighting  

After sunset, gaze upward into the southeastern sky and behold the awe-inspiring Gemini’s Meteor Shower from December 4-17. Known as the most spectacular meteor shower of the year, it will peak between December 13 and 14, with 80-100 multicolored points of lights cascading hourly. Celebrate the longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice (December 21) with some dazzling holiday star and planet sightings.  Bask in Jupiter’s bright white radiance throughout the month, when the Red Giant will be low in the east at sunset and higher by 9pm.  Look for Mars’ yellowish orange glow high in the east between 2am and sunrise. 

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

— Robert Frost

Take a breather from your fast-paced holidays to gaze upon the beauty and peacefulness of nature this season, much like Robert Frost in one of his most well-known poems, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” 

Nature’s holiday respite

Meld into the velvety shadows and pools of soft radiance that only a full moon can cast on a naturalist-guided Full Moon Walk at Secor Metropark.  Mingle in the quiet, tree-lined paths in the dappled light to see nocturnal wildlife and to hear their footfalls, wing beats and melodic calls. December 6th, 5:30pm to 6:30pm meet at Secor Park’s National Center for Nature Photography parking lot.  

Slow down and enjoy an intriguing field study hike, Night Life Naturally at Stranleigh, 6-8pm  December 11 at Wildwood Metropark, starting at the Metz Visitor Center. This insightful and informative naturalist-led outing delves into the history of the Stranahan estate grounds and the surrounding wooded areas, while revealing the beauty and mystery of the park’s nocturnal wildlife.  

5100 W. Central Ave. For all Metropark programs,
visit metroparksprograms.com and for park
maps go to metroparkstoledo.com 

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Holiday lighting  

After sunset, gaze upward into the southeastern sky and behold the awe-inspiring Gemini’s Meteor Shower from December 4-17. Known as the most spectacular meteor shower of the year, it will peak between December 13 and 14, with 80-100 multicolored points of lights cascading hourly. Celebrate the longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice (December 21) with some dazzling holiday star and planet sightings.  Bask in Jupiter’s bright white radiance throughout the month, when the Red Giant will be low in the east at sunset and higher by 9pm.  Look for Mars’ yellowish orange glow high in the east between 2am and sunrise. 

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

— Robert Frost

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