Madison, WI

Started walk at 6:30 a.m.

It was cold this morning. The thermometer is starting to head toward 0. However, the cold has advantages. With the single digit temperature came a clear and beautiful sky. In my book it's a fair deal.

There was more activity than the last few days. This morning a group of runners passed me with both a dog and a baby (in one of those running strollers). They were chatting up a storm. Also, black crows were out in force crowing. On the last day of 1997, crows rule!

A coating of snow was on the watercress that chokes the spring-fed streams and the ice surrounding the island continues its steady outward expansion.

The coffee was good -- Costa Rican. Cranberry muffin -- dry -- gave most to Chance. From his perspective, Chance would probably say that the muffin was great.

There was a splendid sunrise on the return walk.