We often walk the trails at St. Edwards park, mostly in the winter. It's muddy and dank, but softened by the carpet of velvety moss and layers of fluffy ferns. The trees are bare but for the evergreens that canopy the ravines leading down to the lake. This winter we see mini-mudslides that have sliced through the trails leaving ribbons of trickling water. I dip my muddy boots in as I watch my little white dog slowly turn brown up to his paw-pits.

We came across this grotto, not far from the seminary. We'd never seen it before, which is odd. You could feel the presence of long-ago priests gathered before this ornate stone altar, chanting, praying, whatever it was they did. The grotto's stones are layered meticulously and grouted with dirt and sand. It is stunning. I couldn't help wondering if any offerings took place here, the "altar" so much resembled a barbeque pit. Did they burn little lambs here? It is a beautiful setting and now that we know it's there, it a must-stop on our hikes. It's a serene spot, with a small view of the lake below. The pounding silence is only cut by the ghostly whisperings of the mysterious Catholic religion.