Text and photos by Scott Monroe

An arctic blast of cold air has swept through the Northeast this week; temperatures have topped out in the 20s and 30s. All of a sudden, here in central Maine, winter seems to be on its way.

A walk I took through the woods in Waterville Friday morning bears that out. Puddles have frozen over twigs and leaves; patches of ice create interesting art designs on the banks of streams and ponds; and the woods are bare, quiet.

The calendar says winter doesn't start for another month. But we know better.