A Valentine's Day Staycation at a Local Winter Wonderland, the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, Shirley: Happy Trails to You

I work -- a lot.  Although gifts you buy for your mate are great, I, for one, prefer gifts from the heart.  This year, I gave my husband and myself the best Valentine's gift ever -- a day off to spend together. 

The universe cooperated with us today by blessing us all with a beautiful, fifty degree day in the middle of winter.  Thankfully, the roads are finally cleared, but thick snow still carpets the ground.

This afternoon, we gathered up our cross country skiis and headed down the road to the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge to blaze the six miles of trails that wind through the pine barrens forest and along the scenic Carmans River. 

While enjoying the warm sun and the deep silence, broken by the occasional rustling of the trees, a couple, celebrating Valentine's Day by walking the trails, was kind enough to snap a picture of us. 

There are so many naturally beautiful places on Long Island, many of them well-kept secrets, and this preserve is one of them.  Take a few hours from your hectic life to walk the trails, observe the wildlife, visit the nature store run by the non-profit friends of Werheim refuge, or just sit and enjoy a Thoreau moment.

For more information about the preserve go to:www.fws.gov/northeast/Longislandrefuges/