POINT AU ROCHE -- On the shortest day of the year, community members gathered at Point Au Roche State Park nature center to celebrate the winter solstice with a nature walk, bonfire, hot chocolate and s'mores.
The sunset over Lake Champlain painted the sky, marking the official arrival of winter.
Participants enjoyed the serene atmosphere, free from the usual holiday bustle.
"It was nice to watch the sunset over the lake. Now it feels like winter is officially here," said Michelle Hills, who frequently visits the area but experienced her first solstice walk this year.
A WINTER WALK
The snow-laden trail added an adventurous element to the evening.
Some attendees like Krystal, who'd suffered a recent injury, chose a shorter route for the walk.
"I was not sure how it'd be with the snow -- you know, the feet don't know what's under the snow," she said.
"But it was really nice, like a winter wonderland."
Despite the challenge, many relished the unique experience.
"The walk was well worth it," Steve Haley said.
"My brother-in-law was telling me about this event, and well, I'm not new to the area, but I am just coming back. I've been in New Hampshire, but I have a lot of family in the Plattsburgh area."
FIRE AND S'MORES
After the walk, participants gathered in the Nature Center to warm up with hot cocoa before going back outside for the bonfire and s'mores.
"Mom, can I have another?" shouted one kid running by the fire.
The bonfire this year was too big to make smores on, so the kids elected to build their own mini-fire just for roasting marshmallows.
"We went on a long walk, it was a lot of fun," said another child before running off to make another s'more.
Jesse Toohill, who grew up in Plattsburgh, remarked: "It's pretty good. We missed the nature walk, but we got here in time for the fire and hot cocoa."
MOMENTS OF REFLECTION
Toohill did not know what to expect from this event.
"I was just reading about the Lakota, a Native American tribe, who use the winter solstice as a time of reflection and remembrance," Hills added.
Hills recently experienced the loss of two family members, so she used the event as a moment to honor them.
FOR FANS OF WINTER
Jim Hubbell, who spent the day cross-country skiing, appreciated the event's celebration of the season.
"If people are here tonight, they like the winter. All those who don't, stay inside."
The event brought people together to honor nature, the changing seasons and the joy of gathering outdoors.
"They did a really nice job with the fire -- it's just the right size for a crowd." Haley said.