Trail Conditions: Icy in morning and becoming soft. Postponement: The Door Peninsula Astronomical Society has postponed their February meeting until Tuesday, February 9 at 7:00.
I write this year after year so it may seem like a bit of déjà vu, but next week, on Tuesday, Crossroads will celebrate Groundhog’s Day, by going into hibernation ourselves. DPAS has postponed their meeting and we will just sleep through the snowstorm.Why do we celebrate this rodent every February 2? The holiday actually goes back to the religious observance of Candlemas, which was celebrated by 40 days after Christmas. And somehow, European Christians came to believe that if a hedgehog (or in some countries, a European badger) saw its shadow on February 2, weather would improve. Hedgehog? Groundhog? Something, but not the superstition, was lost in translation when immigrants arrived in America.
In this region, groundhogs hibernate from October to March or even into April. Hibernation is a reliable solution to a squirrelly problem. Other squirrels [yes, groundhogs (also known as woodchucks) are a type of squirrel] collect and cache nuts and seeds, which keep well in winter. In contrast Groundhogs eat tender leafy plants, root bulbs, alfalfa and clover. For the record, woodchucks don’t and can’t chuck wood. Woodchucks/groundhogs also store food, but in the form of body fat.
Before a groundhog sinks into hibernation (a state in which body functions and temperature are significantly reduced), it seals itself into its chamber with dirt which probably just as well, because other animals use groundhog holes for their winter naps…..animals like raccoons and snakes.
Groundhogs might sort of wake up on February 2nd–periodic arousals keeps hibernating animals from slipping from near-death into being truly and sincerely dead. [Some scientists believe that groundhogs come out of hibernation from time to time to catch up on sleep. Apparently, the body functions of a hibernating animal are so reduced that the brainwaves of sleep are impossible. And sleep is essential for wildlife and for us!] So a groundhog may ease out of hibernation from time to time, but sun or no sun, it isn’t going to pop out of its hole unless it is warm enough.
Occasionally, in March if it’s unseasonably warm, males might come out and wander a bit, try to locate potential mates for future reference, but then they go back to their burrows until the female groundhogs wake up.
Crossroads is a donor supported preserve welcoming learning of all ages to programs in science, history and the environment. The Collins Learning Center located at 2041 Michigan, is open 2:00-4:30 daily and during special events. Trails at Crossroads, Big Creek Cove and our Ida Bay Preserve are free and open to the public. When there is snow, walkers are asked to avoid designated ski trails.
Thursday, January 28
1:00-3:30 Ski For Free
The Crossroads Ski for Free program lends, free of charge, an array of ski and snowshoe equipment (much of it brand new!) in sizes to fit age 3 through large adult on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00-3:30. When trail conditions permit, go to the Crossroads Maintenance Building where our volunteers will fit you with equipment, share a few pointers and a trail map and send you out the trails. When you have finished, return the equipment and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. This program is sponsored by Friends of Crossroads and Door County Silent Sports Alliance.
Saturday, January 30
1:00-3:30 Ski For Free
The Crossroads Ski for Free program lends, free of charge, an array of ski and snowshoe equipment (much of it brand new!) in sizes to fit age 3 through large adult on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00-3:30. When trail conditions permit, go to the Crossroads Maintenance Building where our volunteers will fit you with equipment, share a few pointers and a trail map and send you out the trails. When you have finished, return the equipment and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. This program is sponsored by Friends of Crossroads and Door County Silent Sports Alliance.
