Tag Archives: Inner Peace

The Fahnestock Special (in reverse)

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“While you’ll feel compelled to charge forward it’s often a gentle step back that will reveal to you where you and what you truly seek.”
― Rasheed Ogunlaru

“How weird it was to drive streets I knew so well. What a different perspective.”

-Suzanne Vega

To change things up a little and get a new perspective on a hike that I’ve done many, many times, I reversed the route the route on the Fahnestock Special. For many years I have done this circular clockwise route in the same direction because it offers a hill that gives your legs, heart and mind a workout. The reverse route has a couple of very short climbs, but nothing like what is offered in the other direction.

Anyway, taking  a new way did make the hike seem a lot quicker than it usually is and I did get a much different perspective than what I am used to seeing.

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I had passed this tree just a couple of days earlier and did not see any mushrooms.

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A close up of one of the mushrooms.

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Charcoal Burners/Perkins/Fahnestock Loop

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“Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far.”

-Thomas Jefferson

“Open the window of your mind. Allow the fresh air, new lights and new truths to enter.” – Amit Ray

“A few simple tips for life: feet on the ground, head to the skies, heart open…quiet mind.” – Rasheed Ogunlaru

Yesterday, 5/20/17, I was able to experience a beautiful 6.2 mile hike around a section of Fahnestock state park. After several days with temperatures in the high 80’s with matching humidity, today proved to be much cooler. As I parked my jeep, I noticed a couple of raindrops on my windshield. Since I hadn’t heard about any rain, I checked my cell and it confirmed what I had thought, no rain for at least 120 minutes.

Of course within 15 minutes later it started to rain and didn’t stop for well over an hour.

With that said, it was nice to hear the rain falling through the woods and it promoted a nice sense of isolation.

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My pack and poles at the second juncture of the hike. 

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Stay to the left on the yellow  marked Perkins Trail.

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The view as you make your way through a farm.

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A cairn to keep you moving in right direction.

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A friendly face on the trail. He stared at me for a good five minutes…

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In about one and half hours, you will be hiking along the far side of this lake.

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The path moving downhill towards the stream seen in the picture below.

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You get to hike next to this stream for about 1/2 mile.

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This is a good place to take a break, drink some water and listen to the stream. (right after this you will climb a pretty steep hill so rest up!!!)

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The Fahnestock Trail

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More awesome hiking on a trail that says “peace.”

The Fahnestock Special (again and again)

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“The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.”

-Nhat Hanh
“Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet”
-Nhat Hanh
 

One of the best things about hiking this time of year is you get to see the woods come back to life literally right before your eyes after a long winter. If you are familiar with my blog, you know that I have a 2.7 mile hike in Fahnestock State Park that I enjoying doing when I don’t have much time but have the need to get out on the trail. In the last couple of weeks I have done this hike several times and the change I have witnessed is nothing short of remarkable!

This is why I hike!!!

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The Appalachian Trail

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When thru hikers go to cross route 301, they will see this sign.

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A waterfall after almost three inches of rain four days ago.

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Quite simply-a dandelion.

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Compare this to other pictures from the hike a couple of weeks ago. What a difference!!!!

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The AT headed back to Route 301.

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More of the AT.

 

The Calm Before the Storm

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The A.T. calls me

Boots on the trail, walking

Lost in thought, my peace

The weather forecast here in the Hudson Valley of NY is not good for the next several days. They are saying we could get several inches of rain from late  tomorrow through Sunday. Knowing that I won’t be able to get out for a hike this weekend, I decided to take yet another trip to the Nose. As you know from previous posts, a hike to the Nose is never disappointing! Here is what it looks like in May.

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Bear Mt. from the Nose in May.

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Northwest from the Nose.

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Looking south towards the Timp.

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Late Afternoon Photos…

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“Just living is not enough… one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”

-Hans Christian Andersen

“Happiness radiates like the fragrance from a flower and draws all good things towards you.”

-Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

I was outside cooking some burgers on the grill and took these pictures of some very small flowers that are around my yard.

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Fahnestock in Spring

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“I find that the three truly great times for thinking thoughts are when I am standing in the shower, sitting on the john, or walking. And the greatest of these, by far, is walking.”

-Colin Fletcher

I believe that I have noted before that one of the best things about hiking in the Hudson Valley is how the terrain changes along with the change of each season. Today is April 30th and as you can see by the pictures, winter is out of the picture and spring is here to stay.

Today’s journey was a familiar one in Fahnestock State Park. Although it is a pretty short hike at 2.7 miles, it was nice to get out since I didn’t have the entire day to spend on the trail. Once again I was lucky enough to have my daughter join me (even though she said she had homework to finish!) and that always makes any hike that much better.

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The start and end to todays hike. You have to love the AT!

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“Although the vast majority of walkers never even think of using a walking staff, I unhesitatingly include it among the foundations of the house that travels on my back.” -Colin Fletcher

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Runoff from Canopus Lake in Fahnestock State Park. 

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The view on the 3 Lakes Trail.

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If you look closely at the water you can see the rain. It lasted for 10 minutes.

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3 Lakes Trail

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In a couple of weeks this short part of the trail will be transformed into a lush tunnel of green.

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I have hiked by this section on the 3 Lakes Trail and have never seen any evidence of beavers until today.

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More work by the beavers.

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The beaver dam.

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A cairn where the 3 Lakes Trail intersects with the Appalachian Trail. It seems to change every time I pass by it. 

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The view on the Appalachian Trail.

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Another view on the AT.

“Hiking and happiness go hand in hand (or foot in boot).”

-Diane Spicer

Opening Day at the Elephant’s Trunk

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“I never knew whether I was drawn to eccentric people or if they were drawn to me.”
―Dean Koontz

“I think what people call “weird” comes part and parcel with people who are brilliant in some way. So embrace your weird. Embrace your eccentricity.”
― Eileen Anglin

“I find only freedom in the realms of eccentricity.”

-David Bowie

For all of you who love flea markets, the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, CT opened its season on 4/9/17. As you would expect, vendors were out in force selling a wide variety of  goods from the mundane to the deliciously eccentric. Flea markets, especially this one,  are truly a showcase for those who won’t be selling their creations at IKEA any time soon. When you see some of the more odd things that are being sold, you are guaranteed that the people behind the creations also have a story to tell. Fascinating creations being sold by equally as fascinating people. Here are pictures of some of the more interesting things I saw on Sunday.

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The Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market is open every Sunday from 7:00 am-2:00 pm and is located at 490 Danbury Rd, New Milford, CT 06776 (www.etflea.com) If you are ever in the area and enjoy flea markets, take the time to visit this one.

Horn Hill Bike Path X2-Walking Meditation

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“The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.”

-Nhat Hanh
“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
-Nhat Hanh
“Walk so that your footprints bear only the marks of peaceful joy and complete freedom. To do this you have to learn to let go. Let go of your sorrows, let go of your worries. That is the secret of walking meditation.”
-Nhat Hanh

 

Last summer I did a whole bunch of hikes from a book called, Circuit Hikes In Harriman by Don Weise. Today (4/11/17), I was going to do a pretty lengthy hike but when my daughter asked if she could go hiking again today (WOW!!), I decided to do this relatively easy loop in Harriman State Park.

Once again, the difference in what the woods look like from season to season is truly amazing. Five and a half miles later, I think that I got some pretty decent photos.

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The start of the Horn Hill Bike Path. Nice and flat!

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Canada Geese feeding a pond next to the trail.

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The same geese…

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Trees along the trail.

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The Appalachian Trail crosses this trail at two points during the hike.

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The AT headed south towards Georgia.

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Looking south behind us on the trail.

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As you hike along the bike path, the Ramapo Dunderberg Trail crosses its path. Here are some nice stone steps to help you on your way.

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Beechy Bottom Road