Thousands of down trees have led to a months long clean-up that is still on going. Many trails still remained blocked to ATVs' as well as foot traffic, with some hiking trails still unpassable. 

I spent the day yesterday clearing a hiking path to Foster Park. Foster Park lies within the Fourth of July Canyon area. This is a hike I do several times a year. Yesterday took several hours longer.  

The Highlight of Foster Park is a large pine tree located towards the back or northern end of the large meadow. The tree has been there  for many decades, based on it's size, but that' not what sets it apart. Throughout the decades a small spring emerges form the base of the tree. I have nicknamed the tree the "Tuck Everlasting" tree. This spring runs continuously and eventually empties into the Red River off of NM 578. If you never seen the movie, it's worth a watch. 

The "Tuck Everlasting" tree, I discovered yesterday, was another causality of the December storm. I assume the spring will continue to flow from the base of the fallen tree until one day the remnants of the tree are gone perhaps replaced by another. 

Nature is always changing. Mother Nature is always creating change. By using this community forum tonight, a story is created, and perhaps through others, the story passes from one to another, and from generation to generation.

Then someday and hiker passes the spot, and says, "At one time, a tree with a spring....."