“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.
“Every sunrise holds more promise, and every sunset holds more peace.”
-Anonymous
On my way work…
A few minutes later…
“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.
The start and end to todays hike. You have to love the AT!
“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
Runoff from Canopus Lake in Fahnestock State Park.
The view on the 3 Lakes Trail.
If you look closely at the water you can see the rain. It lasted for 10 minutes.
3 Lakes Trail
In a couple of weeks this short part of the trail will be transformed into a lush tunnel of green.
I have hiked by this section on the 3 Lakes Trail and have never seen any evidence of beavers until today.
More work by the beavers.
The beaver dam.
A cairn where the 3 Lakes Trail intersects with the Appalachian Trail. It seems to change every time I pass by it.
The view on the Appalachian Trail.
Another view on the AT.
“Hiking and happiness go hand in hand (or foot in boot).”
-Diane Spicer
“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.
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.
“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.”
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.
The start of the Horn Hill Bike Path. Nice and flat!
Canada Geese feeding a pond next to the trail.
The same geese…
Trees along the trail.
The Appalachian Trail crosses this trail at two points during the hike.
The AT headed south towards Georgia.
Looking south behind us on the trail.
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.
Beechy Bottom Road
Last summer I saw this affirmation, published it on my blog and was thinking about it today on my hike. After reading it again almost eight months later, I still believe in what it says.
“I no longer have patience for certain things, not because I’ve become arrogant, but simply because I reached a point in my life where I do not want to waste more time with what displeases me or hurts me. I have no patience for cynicism, excessive criticism and demands of any nature. I lost the will to please those who do not like me, to love those who do not love me and to smile at those who do not want to smile at me. I no longer spend a single minute on those who lie or want to manipulate. I decided not to coexist anymore with pretense, hypocrisy, dishonesty and cheap praise. I do not tolerate selective erudition nor academic arrogance. I do not adjust either to popular gossiping. I hate conflict and comparisons. I believe in a world of opposites and that’s why I avoid people with rigid and inflexible personalities. In friendship I dislike the lack of loyalty and betrayal. I do not get along with those who do not know how to give a compliment or a word of encouragement. Exaggerations bore me and I have difficulty accepting those who do not like animals. And on top of everything I have no patience for anyone who does not deserve my patience.”
― José Micard Teixeira
I look up the trail and what do I see,
A day full of promise I think you’ll agree.
I hope and I pray for clear lucid thought,
The sun and the stars are all that is sought.
As I walk down the path and my mind starts to wander,
I take a deep breath, my heart growing fonder.
Is it possible? Can it be true?
Should I walk this alone, did I think it all through?
A path of enlightenment, Zen promises abound,
The earth and rocks flutter, a vibe from the ground.
So each step that I take, dust scattering the trail,
No way will I stop, no way will I fail.
I can now see the end, a magnificent view,
My love of the trail, a love that is true.
“The more people I meet, the more I like my labrador.”
-Unknown
“We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. In return, dogs give us their all. It’s the best deal man has ever made.”
– M. Ackklam
“The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.”
– Unknown
A misty morning last year on the trail.
Springs awakening,
Mist covered path provides me
With solace and peace,
Quiet days speak the loudest,
Each day its own beginning
When I walk into the woods,
I feel the comforting embrace of the trail,
Each step wrapping me tighter in the cloak of its essence,
Like a mother swaddling a newborn,
The cloak reaffirms the journey,
Drowning each sorrow with the promise of tomorrow,
The trail my refuge, my hideout,
The woods calling out, offering nothing but safe passage,
Thoughts of the empty miles ahead, filled with the scent of Spring,
Trees swaying in a calming cadence that help me navigate
Each winding trail as if it were my own,
The woods, my refuge, my hideout.
The Zen Hiker 