When I saw Gölcük, the pictures of which I have been admiring so many times, surrounded by so many firs and pine trees covered with snow, I couldn't take my eyes off of it. What should I do here - paint? Take photos? Or write a poem? I wondered, whether this spectacular view affected me more than being inside this landscape with a loved one? When we driving to Bolu from Ankara in the beginning of April, there was a light snow. We were trying to select a destination: Should we go to Abant, turn to Yedigöller, or visit Gölcük? We decide on Gölcük. The nearer we get to the Bolu Mountains, the heavier becomes the snowfall. Since the road is slippery, we sway from side to side. We leave the car at the Gölcük turn, and look at the scene. The trees lining on both sides of winding road have stretched their twigs towards the road.

When we saw the Gölcük Sea, covered by snow, we stand fascinated and frozen to our place. The forest surrounding the sea, the pretty architectural structure at its shore, in harmony with nature, and the tiny windows on the steep roof of the Facilities of the Ministry of Forestation, and its rural drinking site, wooden tables and banks covered with snow, streetlamps, wharves, all these complete this pretty tableau of the sea. While I'm try to picture this scene, I think a poem of snow will fit this serene and white setting. People have come running to watching this scene, despite snow and blizzards. Here people are cooking sausages over big crackling campfires, there they are tumbling in the snow or playing snowball. I saw the Gölcük Sea covered with snow 10 years ago for the first time, and visited it since also in springs. The last time I saw it covered by snow again was in January of the last year. Walking around the sea, I clicked repeatedly on my camera to capture every single instance of this magnificent tableau. This sea is located at a distance of 13 kilometers to Bolu, is about one thousand meters above sea level, and has an area of 4.5 hectares, and a circumference of 1300 meters. The natural structure of Gölcük and its surroundings has been placed under preservation as "Picnic Area in the Forest", and thereby preserves its beauty at every season of the year.

January 2009 / Articles and Photographs: Ayşe Dönmez