ONE OF THE GREAT pleasures of being a countryman, or a woodsman-or-woman, is simply going for a walk. And looking for stuff. In the winter this can prominently include tracks. I especially like finding otter ‘slides,’ places where these playful and delightful creatures gallop along, flop onto their bellies, and just glide—sometimes for 20 or 30 feet, on the level river ice. Even farther down a slope! It’s fun to follow them, to find their scat full of the definitive crayfish shells. And maybe, as yesterday evening, to even find their den, under an old leaning willow tree. Then, after examining some beaver cuttings and other interesting things along the way, to simply track yourself. Back into the sunset. Back to the cabin.