So often blog entries are about big events, big moments, and big thoughts. In order to enjoy everyday life, one must notice the little beauties, oddities, and profundities. Check out a few of mine from the last few months at “Miscellaneous Moments“.
Archive for July, 2024
Miscellaneous Moments
Posted in Beauty, Nature, Random thoughts on July 25, 2024| Leave a Comment »
A Bright Morning
Posted in Beauty, Exploring, General, Hike, Nature, Outdoors, Poem, tagged Baxter State Park, Glacial Pond, Hike, Naure, Outdoors, Poem on July 20, 2024| Leave a Comment »
My fast and furious vacation was only 10 days, for reasons of scheduling and finances, so why am I still talking about it 3 weeks later? Well, it was that good, and I like to tell stories. Please be patient; I will be done soon.
I slept in on my 8th day of vacation, not arising until 5:30. The sun was up, the woods were calling, I could sleep later another day. I arrived at the trailhead of my last hike, Kidney Pond, at just before 7 AM. I didn’t have a goal other than to enjoy the scenery one more time, so I hiked a short distance to find a spot where I could get to the shoreline and sit down. The morning was glorious, bright, cloudless with a light breeze sufficient to keep the insects away. The sun was already high, and I was looking into it, which caused the other shoreline where there were cabins to be shadowy. It felt as though I was all alone, though in such situations, I only feel the lack of people. As time goes along, I am trusting and feeling more of God’s presence as I lean into Him, therefore, I am aware that I am never alone. The details of this very trip, how everything fell into place with incredible moments in nature and with people, both family and friends as well as strangers, strengthened my sense of His presence. It is days like these that we must remember when more difficult and mundane days challenge our resolve to live thankful and trusting.
I have some pictures and commentary of this last wee hike at “Last Morning in Baxter“, but before you go there, I’d like to share the poem that began coming to me as I strolled the 1/2-mile back to the vehicle, completing it in my journal:
Kidney Pond, Baxter State Park, ME, 7:30 AM 6/21/24
Morning sunlight glimmer
Water deeper, dimmer
Woodpeckers pecking away
Bullfrogs calling their way
Water on granite boulders lapping
Breeze cooling, stirring, laughing
Mountains against bluest sky
Spruce, fir, pine, cedar point high
Alone ‘til now when far across
Fishermen cast in shimmer loss (1)
Voices few but come on breeze
Just in shadow of far trees
Water lilies bob on the gentle swell
Almost blooming, all is well
So, God gave me this final pleasure
At Kidney Pond I drank full measure
I left B.S.P. probably never to return, but I take a piece of it home with me as memories. For me, this is what vacation is all about, making memories and learning to make more memories in the daily challenges, opportunities, and privileges of life, whether a bright day by a beautiful pond or a rainy day of further darkening skies. God is worthy and I benefit.
- A little artist license with the verb agreement
Baxter State Park
Posted in Camping, Exploring, General, Hike, Nature, Outdoors, tagged Baxter State Park, Camping, Hike, Nature, Northern Forest, Outdoors on July 13, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Baxter State Park is about Mt. Katahdin, right? It is certainly the most popular destination in the park, but it is a true wilderness with very few roads and those are all gravel. It has other mountains. It has streams, waterfalls, ponds galore, and some 209,000 acres of northern forest. The day after I climbed Mt. Katahdin, I took several hikes adding up to 10 miles that sampled some of the other sites of the park. Check it out at “Pond, Peaks, and Falls“.
Deep on the Bucket List
Posted in Camping, General, Hike, Nature, Outdoors, tagged Bucket List, Hike, Mt. Katahdin, Nautre, Outdoors on July 7, 2024| Leave a Comment »
When I was a 17-year-old, I hiked for 7 days in Maine. It had been intended to be a month, but health and other issues shortened the trip. Also, Baxter State Park was having major forest fires and was closed at the time. So, ever since then, I have wanted to hike up Mt. Katahdin. I only had to wait 47 years. Check out my wonderous day on the mountain at “Mt. Katahdin.”
An Easy Day?
Posted in Camping, Exploring, Family, General, Grandchildren, Hike, Nature, Outdoors, tagged Exploring, Grandchildren, Hike, Nature, Outdoors on July 3, 2024| Leave a Comment »
What do you do on a day after achieving a serious goal? Rest, celebrate? Sure, that works, but how do you rest and celebrate? Frequently, circumstances dictate what you do, but I had the joy of spending it with grandchildren, yet again doing what I love to do, explore in the woods. Together with their father and mother, we went to Diana’s Baths and then Cathedral Ledge, and then I was on the road again. See for yourself at “The Baths“.
CreatorWorship 