A chilly week in the Valley of the Foot of the Turkey even included a bit of snow, but only briefly. Word is that we'll have temperatures approaching 60 by Sunday and into the beginning of next week. I need to get better acclimated for my morning walk - twice now I have looked out at what seems like warm sunshine only to have to turn around and add another layer. Or sit down with a refilled coffee cup. "No bad weather," Pam, "only bad clothing." 

For the masthead a golden afternoon at Hills Creek State Park. One of many beautiful shots by Jason Robson on the Pennsylvania State Parks & Forests private Book of Faces. If you're a member of the group, you should check them out!

This week (Tuesday) we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. We all know that water quality issues are far from solved BUT this landmark legislation went a long way to making important improvements to reduce pollution and give us new appreciation for the vital element water truly is. Drink up!

In the apologies column comes my incorrectly calling the Clinton County Economic Partnership & Visitors Bureau puzzle photographer Matt Hill. He is Matt Wise. Very un-Wise of me!

The Friends of Trough Creek & Warriors Path announced this week that groundbreaking for their eagerly anticipated playground at Trough Creek's campground will commence in November. Okay, so maybe not the optimal time for playground installation but when the paperwork stars line up, you have to be ready to dig! Volunteers will be welcome!

I think Friends of Goddard's Fran Bires has found his happy place! Ravens Horn in the Tiadaghton State Forest along the Golden Eagle Trail. On the left, a summer view; on the right, this week.

Last week we asked (because of confirmation of the existence of a tanabeak cross between a rose-breasted grosbeak and a scarlet tanager), what percentage of wild bird species have been documented with hybridization. That would be 16%. Higher than I would have thought. One wag suggested he is waiting for a cardijay, expecting purple. With a little black eyeliner, I'd request.

This week, if you checked out the Leave No Trace program for living lightly every day you'll find several suggestions on how you might do that. Name two.

Enter each week to increase your chances of a fabulous prize at the end of the month when I'll draw one entry from all correct answers received during the month.

As last week's look ahead put us to the end of October, I see from a review of the state parks calendar that things have grown very quiet indeed with a search into November. So we'll put this column on hiatus for now. Put a bookmark on the PPFF Events calendar and DCNR Calendar of Events so you can keep track of the things that will pop up - and look for First Day Hikes come January 1. You know there'll be plenty of them!

In celebration and in recognition. Water is life. 

Essay by Loren Eisely. "The Immense Journey," 1957. 

Photo by Brian Hare. Nockamixon State Park.