While the crackling of a cozy fire may beckon my body to draw near, it is the solitude of a winter walk that lures my spirit. Among the many beautiful trails in the Carolinas, lakeside paths are most wonderful to explore in winter months. Today my walk takes me to Salem Lake in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In warmer weather this is an extremely popular location. However, on this chilly February morning only a few avid runners and cyclists braved the cold. This solitude provides a rare opportunity to listen as nature speaks.