My brother Pete is an amazing artist and gifted person. This year he is broadcasting Christmas music on the internet! All day long. Commercial free. Check it out! And while you are there, check his blog and his website. I own one of his photographs and I love it. It hangs over the piano in my living room, reminding me of the Adirondacks and the good times I have spent hiking and being with friends and family there.
http://www.radiopinetree.org/
Enjoy.
Here's a little taste of hiking in the Adirondacks. When the boys were little, on a warm autumn Saturday, we decided to take a hike. Literally. We loaded up the station wagon with a water jug and a lunch, tied on comfy sneakers, and drove north along Route 87 looking for an easy trail to negotiate with three small boys. We decided on Buck Mountain.
We drove alongside a river sparkling in the autumn sun, and after an hour or so, saw the marker indicating the start of the trail. We pulled off the left of the highway down a small incline to an open area where several cars were parked. The boys jumped out of the car, excited, wanting to run ahead. I carried the sandwiches and water jug, tying my sweatshirt around my waist.
The day was pleasant, sunny with just a bit of chill in the air. We walked along the wide path cut between tall stands of every imaginable type of tree, chattering and crunching the fallen leaves beneath our feet. The first cool thing we encountered was a fallen tree bridging a small stream. What a hoot to walk across, arms out steadying your balance, bark grabbing at your soles. The boys liked it so much they ran back and crossed again.
We walked for about three hours, the scenery pretty much the same and yet interesting. Trees on both sides of the path, clear vision deep into the woods, lots of beautiful colored leaves, enticing sticks, paw and hoof prints, the occasional pile of animal scat. The boys collected leaves, acorn caps, stones - all the things boys love to keep. Sometimes they wandered off the path only to be called back with suggestions of wild bears lurking behind bushes.
One could imagine being in an ancient world, long before the advent of cars and planes, long before cities and factories and schools were common. Here in the pristine woods you felt a kinship with the pilgrims and the Indians of long ago, would not have been surprised to encounter a covered wagon or deerskin clad hunter. We had no fear, mind you. Only happiness at being in the great outdoors away from the normal stress and strain of life.
Suddenly we burst into a spacious clearing, a meadow with blue skies and butterflies. There was an outhouse, an open lean-to for those brave enough to camp overnight, a fireplace, and several picnic tables. Perfect! Just in time for lunch. The boys were not even remotely interested in eating. They ran about picking up "found objects" and chasing each other, whooping and yelling like wild Indians themselves.
After lunch and the needed rest for Mom, the boys wanted to push on and explore more of the tantalizing path leading deeper into the woods, but I, ever mindful of the limits of their rambunction, I cruelly insisted that we turn back and head for the car. They pouted and protested, but in the end, grudgingly turned around and headed back the way we had come, convinced that there was nothing of interest remaining for them to see, only the hard work of walking three more hours.
After twenty minutes or so, they forgot to be mad and got caught up in the adventure before them of exploring the path from a new perspective, finding toads and little flowers and berries they had overlooked earlier. I had been right about not going any farther. Almost an hour before we reached the car, I was carrying the youngest whose little legs had worn completely out, and coaxing the others that it was "just a little ways more."
Leaves and acorn caps and sticks fluttered to the ground and the hands tired of carrying extra weight. Pockets were full enough of treasure to suffice. At long last we reached the fallen tree bridge and just beyond, the car. Before we could pull onto the highway, three heads were nodding, sweet sleep the reward of their extended exercise. All in all, a wonderful day!
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