[Journal Entry for January 22, 2006] Paul and Gigi take Dallas and me on a hike through the Walter/Newton Natural Area in Plymouth, New Hampshire. This nature preserve has a loop trail that circles a wetland. We set off up the path, which ascends gently uphill through the woods, crossing several foot bridges across streams flowing into the wetland. I find one vantage point where I can see the wetland well. The trunks of dead trees protrude upward from brown-red bushes and tan marsh grasses. An old beaver dam crosses a soggy area. We continue to walk uphill, following the major stream that feeds the wetland, and come upon a moderate size waterfall, perhaps fifty feet tall. I cross the stream at its base, hopping from stone to stone, until I find a good vantage point for photographs. Icicles on the rock face of the waterfall have interesting shapes, being rather bulbous at the bottom, and not pointed as is more common. Meanwhile, Gigi sits on one of the park benches, and admires the cascade of water. We hike up a short side trail that ascends to the top of the waterfall, passing a large lichen-encrusted boulder. We spend a few minutes at the top, watching the water disappear over the rocky top edge. We have quite a bit of trouble descending. The four-point instep crampons that Dallas and I are wearing are poorly-suited for steep terrain. They do not hold the icy slope well, at all. We resort to holding onto tree trunks and seeking out the softer snow for footholds. A lesson for the future! Next time we will wear full, ten-pointers. The trail continues to loop around the wetland, crossing a swampy area via a long, plank walkway, passing a beautiful, evergreen-lined meaning stream, and joining, finally, an old, heavily eroded carriage road. Back near the parking area, we view the stone foundation of an old homestead. It's about 10 foot on edge and six feet deep. An old root cellar, perhaps. We also walk down a short side trail to a view point overlooking the wetland. Gigi points out a granite stone that will eventually host a memorial plaque. About an hour, overall.