Regardless of the season, Copper House is a beautiful place to retreat. Later this month, you’ll be in awe as you squint to see the timid buds and shoots nervously reveal themselves. This summer, be dazzled by the ripe display of plant and wildlife here. During autumn, take in the swirl of gold, bronze, and burgundy-tinted leaves. And in winter, it’s as if you’re in a snow globe as you peer out the big glass room and observe nature nap.
It’s this time of year—late winter—that we have a clear view of our eleven acres. The leafless trees and bushes reveal the natural deer paths that crisscross our acreage. So when we’re not hosting winter retreats, this is the best time of year to carefully forge the trails so many of you enjoy walking when you are here.
We treasure our forest, and we believe in its restorative power. One of our missions is to create a series of meandering walking trails that work for all ages and skill levels. Last year we built a gentle flat path alongside our stream as well as a more challenging trail that leads up to our natural grotto, a little shallow cave at the top of the rocky ridge. From there, you head across the gentle ridge along the back side of the property and then down to the labyrinth at the other end of the acreage. There are walking poles to steady you across the rocky path but also you can walk the country road that runs alongside it.
When you reach the labyrinth, very few can resist walking the circular path David built with stones from the property, first making your way “home” at the center of the circuitous circle, and then retracing your steps back out. For those who would prefer to walk nature’s circuit. there’s another walking path beyond the labyrinth with benches along the way for a quiet moment to take in all that surrounds you.
This year, we are extending the path along the stream, creating two crossing points—a log bridge—we won’t make you balance your way across! —as well as a stone path at a narrow, shallow point. As you cross the stream, we are creating a path alongside the other side of the stream, completing the loop. We clear the trails enough to make them passable but keep them looking as natural as possible. We remove unsightly deadfall and work hard to remove as much of the invasive flora as we can so that the native growth can flourish.
At Copper House, we often joke that we’re farmers. Winter is a little quiet, but the retreats and winter trail blazing keep us moving. We look forward to guiding you along our new paths this season!
