Let It Shine

Christmastime at Longwood Gardens

2013-12-29T21:20:00.000-05:00

I love to see the gardens and light show at Longwood Gardens at Christmastime.

The main display is always stunning.

Beautiful flowers are everywhere.

A display of apples.

The orchid room is always gorgeous.

Creative decorations

Lots of lovely displays.

A little forest!

Trees decorated by children.

A tree of cupcakes!

How many trees did we see today?

Yes, bananas have flowers!

This tree is decorated with dried artichokes!

The magic happens when the sun sets.

A fountain of light.

A magical train display.

Oooh!!! Aaaahhh!! The fountain show!!!!

Paths lined by green trees.

Winter Solstice Hike in Lambertville, Dry Run Creek Trail

2013-12-21T21:00:00.000-05:00

Saturday was the Winter Solstice, which marks the beginning of Winter, but also the lengthening of the days. From now on, our world is getting brighter, lighter, and eventually, warmer. What better way to celebrate the occasion than with a beautiful hike outdoors!

We are having an unusual warm spell, with temperatures in the low sixties. However, we recently had a couple of large snowstorms, so the trails were covered with snow and sometimes ice. Lovely patterns of melting ice bordered the creek.

A nice little surprise tucked away, apparently a bench made by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

A pretty creek wound through the park.

It was fun to hike on snow covered trails in weather warm enough for T-shirts!

Farm Sanctuary, Watkins Glen, NY, Celebration for the Turkeys

2013-11-17T23:05:00.001-05:00

This weekend I traveled to Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, NY, for their annual Celebration for the Turkeys, a time to celebrate compassionate living, spend time with animals, and honor our special feathered friends, the turkeys!

Farm Sanctuary is a shelter for more than 500 rescued farm animals. These animals are given a life free from the conditions of the factory farms, and they also help to educate people and enable them to get to know the animals as the wonderful, unique, special beings they are. Visitors go home with the inspiration and knowledge to live a compassionate life.

The setting: beautiful Watkins Glen, NY, in the Finger Lakes region on Lake Seneca.

Here is Thunder grazing peacefully in the field. He is a big bull! We don't usually see animals this size because they are slaughtered very young, veal cows practically in infancy, and even dairy cows don't live more than 4 or 5 years until their poor bodies are spent from continuous cycles of pregnancy and lactation.

Enjoying the sunny November day.

I was surprised to find out pigs are so curious and interactive! Since we visited the cows during their "lunch time", they were, for the most part, uninterested in us, but the pigs were fascinated!!!! Who are you? What do you look like and smell like? Do you have anything for me?

Goats in coats!!!!! Elderly goats lose body fat, so they need protection from the cold.

Here is Michael with a shelter visitor. You can see how gentle and affectionate he is.

I loved the sheep! When you approached them, they ran away, but if you stood still, and even knelt down, they would gradually come near you to be petted.

Lots and lots of chickens everywhere!

This is Turpentine. This beautiful bird was destined for the dinner plate, but fate brought him here instead. He is one of the most popular animals because he is so photogenic. He also likes to have his picture taken, and has a reputation for photo bombing many pics!

The moment we have been waiting for!!!! Time to feed the turkeys!!! They had special plates of pumpkin, cranberries, greens, and squash. They loved the cranberries, the squash, not so much.

Here is Tulip enjoying some greens. She is de-beaked and de-toed, like so many commercially bred birds, so eating becomes a little more difficult. This food is specially prepared for her and the other turkeys.

The children love Tulip!!! Most importantly, they go home after interacting with and getting to know live animals, and they learn to live compassionate, sensitive lives. These animals are educators!

See how they love the cranberries?

I'm chllin' here in the sun, because I'm a pig, and that's how I roll.

Critters come in all shapes and sizes!

The pigs get to celebrate too! We smashed the pumpkins for them to enjoy as a treat!

Oh they loved the pumpkins!!!

Man, this is goooood!!!!

I'm just hanging out here eating pumpkins with my friends. Don't come near my pumpkin.

Yes!!!!!!!

This is Ari. I got to spend quite a bit of time with him, petting him while he rested in the sun and chewed on some grass. Ari's mother was a "spent" dairy cow who gave birth to him prematurely while she was taken for slaughter. Someone found him in a heap and thought he was a jacket!!!! Here he is, thriving and growing, with a second chance at life.

More sheep!!! It was so much fun to observe these gentle animals with such strong bonds with each other.

After our shelter time, we had a fantastic vegan dinner. Susie Coston of Farm Sanctuary , spoke to us about turkeys. They are artificially bred to be several times their natural weight, and as a result, have many health problems. Turkeys will try to maintain their natural behavior, and the young turkeys (who haven't been de-toed), will try to roost in the trees, It's not safe for them because of their unnaturally large size, so someone has to climb the tree and bring them down! The turkeys can't do this for long, because they quickly grow too large to roost. They are sensitive animals with unique personalities, they can be very friendly and affectionate towards humans, and they are intelligent birds and excellent parents to their young. Gene Baur, president of Farm Sanctuary, spoke to us about the history and mission of Farm Sanctuary, and Zoe Weil, president of the Institute for Humane Education, told us that we are all educators with our own lives. She encouraged us to be more like a warm, welcoming campfire and not like a raging forest fire in our approach! She urged a compassionate, respectful, inspiring, non-demanding approach to our activism.

It was a wonderful weekend, lots of time spent bonding with these beautiful animals, fantastic vegan Thanksgiving food, and inspiring and motivating talks.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Buttermilk Falls, Delaware Water Gap, New Jersey

2013-10-26T21:48:00.000-04:00

We had a brisk Fall weekend, perfect for hiking and viewing Autumn colors at the Delaware Water Gap in New Jersey. The key to staying comfortable was layers! It was so cold I started out with all 4 layers, but after some steep climbs I was down to just 2, and then eventually 3 again!

Buttermilk Falls, easily viewable from the trail head. The trail starts with a steep ascent along the side of these falls.

Forest floor covered in leaves

Blue skies, sunshine, and Fall colors

My idea of serenity, a walk in the woods...

A vista with Autumn colors

A view of Crater Lake

Another perspective

The trail winds around the lake.

Beautiful Autumn colors pop up everywhere.

A path through the forest

Hemlock Pond

Another view of the pond

Hickory Run State Park

2013-10-05T22:37:00.000-04:00

The National Parks may be closed right now due to the government shutdown, but the State Parks are open! Saturday was a beautiful day to enjoy Autumn colors at their finest at Hickory Run State Park. We had the unusual combination of hot weather and peak foliage that made for a gorgeous Fall hike.

Boulder field

View of Hawk Falls from the side

I love the colors and reflections of Autumn.

Hawk Falls

Waterfall over a dam on the Shades of Death trail. Today a ranger explained to me the origin of the name "Shades of Death". Apparently, the Native Americans called the whole park area Shades of Death because not much would grow here. The conifers dropped so many needles the high tannin content in the soil inhibited other plants from growing. I much preferred my more dramatic but untruthful theories of the name (grizzlies, fugitives with hatchets, that sort of thing). He did tell me that it is the trail that causes the most injuries in the park due to twisted roots and slippery rocks along the creek. We stepped carefully on this trail!

Pretty miniature waterfall.

Rhododendrons lining the creek on the Shades of Death trail.

A view of Autumn splendor in the Lehigh Gorge from Fireline Trail.

Ricketts Glen State Park Pennsylvania, A Waterfall Lover's Paradise

2013-09-15T23:23:00.001-04:00

Here is a sampling of the many beautiful waterfalls found at Ricketts Glen State Park, easily one of the loveliest parks in Pennsylvania.

Mount Minsi, Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania

2013-06-23T22:07:00.000-04:00

Today was a hot and humid day to climb Mount Minsi in the Delaware Water Gap. We kept to shaded trails and drank plenty of water, and the occasional breeze was a welcome treat!

We are in the midst of cicada season, and the woods sounded alive with buzzing and humming! We saw cicadas everywhere, a phenomenon not to be repeated for seventeen years.

A pretty pond covered in lilies..

The rhododendrons were just starting to bloom. Every once in a while we came upon a perfect blossom.
.

Our first overlook and glimpse of the Delaware River below.

Wild roses.

The mountain laurel were beautiful this time of year.

Mount Tammany

Beautiful mountain laurel along the trail

Delicate white blossoms

The Delaware river below

Another overlook

Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

2013-06-01T21:48:00.000-04:00

This weekend was one of the warmest of the year so far, a perfect time for some exploration of wooded trails along bubbling creeks in the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust in Montgomery County.

A pretty pond

Exploring under bridges along the creek

Wooded trails

A gently flowing creek bubbling over rocks

This looks like a perfect place to relax

An old cemetery tucked in the woods

Not far away is the Glencairn Museum.

We had some cold iced tea and refreshed ourselves looking at the beautiful artwork and stained glass.

The Bryn Athyn Cathedral is nearby.

Beautiful flower gardens surround the cathedral.

Walking along the grounds.

The altar is enshrouded in a cooling blue light from the stained glass windows.

A cathedral has plenty of keys!

Sculpted shrubbery in the garden

Pulpit Rock and The Pinnacle, Berks County, Pennsylvania

2013-05-27T13:13:00.000-04:00

Memorial Day weekend graced us with perfect hiking weather, slightly cool with soft breezes and warm sunshine, and bright, clear skies. A perfect day for a trip to Pulpit Rock and the Pinnacle in Berks County. Much of this hike follows the Appalachian Trail.

Beautiful view from the Pulpit, the first vista we encounter.

Blues and greens, the colors of late Spring.

View from the Pinnacle, the rolling hills and small farms of Pennsylvania.

Everyone is enjoying the weather, including these two rat snakes sunning themselves in a tree.

Clear cold waters of the Reservoir, near the end of the trail.

Still more time left in this beautiful, sunny Memorial Day weekend! Enjoy the sunshine!

Tohickon Valley Park and Ralph Stover State Park

2013-04-13T21:05:00.001-04:00

Early Spring is a wonderful time of year for hiking, the air is pleasantly warm, and signs of new life are everywhere! Today was a beautiful day for a hike in Tohickon Valley Park and Ralph Stover State Park in Bucks County Pennsylvania. The high cliffs make this a popular area for climbers, and the gentle rapids attract kayakers.

The view from up high. Way down below there are a few kayakers in Tohickon Creek.

The trail had many beautiful views of the swiftly flowing creek.

Blue skies, ever so slightly overcast, new signs of Spring everywhere!

Hickory Run State Park

2013-01-12T16:48:00.000-05:00

This weekend the weather was unseasonably warm, in the forties, a perfect opportunity for some winter hiking in Hickory Run State Park.

Rhododendrons line the creek, a perfect contrast of dark green against white snow and flowing water.

I love forests of conifers providing plenty of greenery, even in winter.

The creek is partially frozen in spots.

I love the sound of hiking along water.

Sand Spring Lake was frozen over, but starting to thaw, creating patterns of swirls in the ice.

A popular tourist destination in summer, now quiet and covered with ice and snow.

Lehigh Gap

2012-11-23T19:47:00.000-05:00

The day after Thanksgiving was a perfect day to be out of the mall and on to the trail! Hiking and spending time outdoors is a great way to continue to celebrate this beautiful time of year, give gratitude, and work off some of yesterday's calories!

And so our hike begins... Pennsylvania is known for having some of the rockiest sections of the Appalachian Trail.

We did a bit of rock scrambling to view the river below.

White blazes mark the Appalachian Trail.

I CAN rock scramble, I CAN rock scramble! (photo by Rich)

Still more rocks to traverse...

A beautiful view of the section of trail known as Devil's Pulpit.

The climb was worth it!

I ran into my high school biology teacher Dan Kunkle with a group of students learning about the mountain! I had not seen him since high school. Dan's work with the Lehigh Gap Nature Center has been instrumental in protecting and restoring this area which has been so badly damaged by industrial pollution from zinc smelting. Huge sections of this area were completely barren before restoration projects began. (photo by Rich)

After our rock scramble, we are treated to a flat, beautiful section of trail beginning to recover from the pollution damage.

Fields of golden grasses....

Palmerton below...

Here you can see some of the damage: dead trees and barren landscapes.

Recovery is slow but certain.

Native trees are planted here and fenced in to protect them from deer.

Dead trees killed by zinc pollution. Many did not decay naturally because the environment was so barren.

Damaged areas with recovery projects in the background

Rows of tall grasses

I loved this view of the rolling mountains beyond.

I've often speculated about who lives in this house on the hill.

We're almost back! Trail is surrounded by grass fields.

Delaware Water Gap - Dunnfield Creek Trail to Sunfish Pond

2012-11-11T18:03:00.003-05:00

This weekend brought some unseasonably warm temperatures, perfect weather for a hike in Delaware Water Gap to experience the beauty of this area and witness the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Trees are mostly all bare by now. The air smelled like pine, and our hiking was accompanied by the sounds of flowing water from Dunnfield Creek and the crunch of leaves underneath our hiking boots.

For the most part, the path was unobstructed, with a few exceptions when we had to crawl over fallen tree trunks or pick our way through a tumble of branches across the trail.

Evidence of Hurricane Sandy was everywhere.

We saw many huge fallen trees, their roots torn right out of the ground.

Sunfish Pond on a grey November day.

View of Mount Tammany

Hikers viewing the river below

A waterfall in Dunnfield Creek

French Creek State Park, Berks County, Pennsylvania

2012-10-28T21:28:00.003-04:00

This weekend was a perfect time for a hike in French Creek State Park. This is the last hike before Hurricane Sandy pummels our area and likely takes down the last remnants of Autumn leaves. It was a surprisingly warm day, a bit of misty rain in the morning and some cloud cover, but otherwise very pleasant hiking weather.

Grey clouds over Hopewell Lake in the morning, but the brilliant colors of Autumn are still here.

Much of the trail is under forest cover. I felt surrounded by the gorgeous yellow, orange and crimson colors of the season.

I love the smells of Autumn, and the sound of leaves crunching underfoot.

Vivid yellow everywhere.

Welcome Autumn!

2012-09-22T19:48:00.001-04:00

This weekend Autumn is finally here, with warm weather and bright sunshine, until an afternoon shower cooled things off. I compared last week's hiking pictures to today, and I can already see signs of the change of seasons.

This is Green Lane Reservoir from last week, which was, for me, the last hike of Summer.

Late Summer is clear skies and warm sun, but with the golden hues of Autumn slowly slipping in.

Today was a great way to celebrate the arrival of Autumn at the Rodale Organic Apple Festival. Here is a view of the festival from the organic apple orchard.

Fall is pumpkin time!

Bethlehem VegFest 2012

2012-09-09T18:56:00.000-04:00

Sunday was Bethlehem VegFest. I had a great day eating delicious food, engaging in uplifting conversation, and meeting some of my favorite cookbook authors! I had a Buddha bowl from Balasia and a peanut butter brownie from Vegan Treats (recently named one of America's Top Ten Bakeries by online magazine Departures). I was fortunate to meet Victoria Moran of Main Street Vegan and Allyson Kramer of Manifest Vegan.

Jamie K. of Save the Kales telling her vegan story and showing us we can all be activists.

The Cinnamon Snail line. I didn't want to wait that long in the heat, but I'm sure what they were selling was delicious! (I just read on their website that they sell "food to help you transform into a being of pure light who can serve all living creatures simultaneously and eternally". Had I known that, I would have waited in line!)

Lydia from From A to Vegan, Allyson Kramer from Manifest Vegan, Chris from From A to Vegan, me, and Jamie K. from Save the Kales.

September is the new January

2012-09-09T11:46:00.001-04:00

Gretchen Rubin of the Happiness Project recently wrote that "September is the new January". September is an appropriate time for starting over and new resolutions; it's the start of the school year, the change of seasons, a time for reflection and contemplation, and also action.

It's a time of change for me as well, and I've made a few resolutions of my own. I recently started the seemingly never ending task of decluttering once again, clearing out closets and shelves. shedding old possessions and leaving room for new life, new energy, new thoughts. Today I had my windows cleaned (I will not confess how long it's been since I've had really clean windows), and I savor the light, the brightness, the clear September sky now easily visible through all the rooms of my house! I also start a new job this month full of hope, promise, and new direction.

There is a passage in the Baha'i scripture The Hidden Words which says "I loved thy creation, hence I created thee... " * I have always taken this to mean that we were loved even before our inception (much like the Psalm "you knit me together in my mother's womb" *, I always visualize a tiny little crocheted skeleton!) I recently came across a different interpretation, that what we create: our life, our actions, our contribution, is loved. I never thought of it that way before.

So in this September, this time of transformation and renewal, I begin again the task of creating a life, my life with my own hopes, dreams, interests, aspirations, values...... And as I look out my newly cleaned windows, I look forward to what the new season brings!

Hawk Mountain - The Early Fall Migrants and Vulture Appreciation Day

2012-09-01T22:53:00.001-04:00

Today was the first day of September and a beautiful, warm, clear day for a visit to Hawk Mountain.

We arrived for Vulture Appreciation Day in time to see a fascinating talk on vultures given by a wildlife rehabilitation group. We found out that vultures are nature's sanitation mechanism, getting rid of dead wildlife, thereby keeping the environment safe from pathogens. The vulture's strong stomach acid keeps them safe and disease-free. The health of these magnificent birds was noticed by Native Americans who viewed them as a powerful source of healing.

We have learned many things from the vultures, including the aerodynamics of how they soar effortlessly on wind currents. Here our turkey vulture (appropriately named Hannibal) is showing off his beautiful wing span.

Hannibal looks proud to be a vulture today! Sadly, Hannibal was raised in captivity by someone who found him as a baby bird, and when finally released, did not have the necessary skills for survival as a vulture in the wild. He was found by a person who took him to the wildlife rehabilitation center. It is unfortunate that Hannibal cannot soar and survive in nature as he was meant to do, but, lacking that, he has played a role in our education about these helpful and necessary animals. The talk was a success, I now have a renewed appreciation for these birds and their role in a healthy environment!

Now time to head to North Lookout! Highlights included spotting broad winged hawks, merlins, even a bald eagle! (sadly, I missed the view of the eagle!). One treat was a flock of gregarious cedar waxwings, who briefly rested on a nearby small tree, then, in a flurry of wing beats, continued on their path.

Beautiful but hazy view of the River of Rocks and nearby countryside.

Cape Cod August 2012

2012-08-19T16:50:00.002-04:00

In mid August, I had a relaxing vacation in Cape Cod. Cape Cod is one of my favorite spots because it is a National Seashore which is protected from most commercial development. Although Cape Cod is immensely popular, locals have taken care to protect much of the natural environment. There is plenty of opportunity for hiking, biking, nature watching, and strolling along clean, beautiful beaches.

This was my first year eating vegan on vacation (long time vegetarian, new vegan, truth be told, in some ways still transitioning). In the past I have never found Cape Cod to be vegetarian friendly, so this would be an interesting experiment. I found a very warm and welcoming Bed and Breakfast, the Shady Hollow Inn, in South Dennis, which is totally vegetarian and vegan upon request. Breakfasts were amazing! (grilled portabella mushroom, red pepper, and tofu; French toast filled with almond butter; blueberry waffles; scrambled tofu on a bed of lightly sauteed vegetables; and apple oatmeal with toppings. Fresh fruit and vegan baked goods were served with every breakfast. Much of the food was grown in their own gardens. With a hearty breakfast, I just ate a light lunch, and managed to find vegan options available for dinner with some searching (using the HappyCow app!) and the recommendations of my hosts. Gary and Beth (the bed and breakfast owners) also had numerous suggestions for fun things to see and do, tailored to my own interests.

Sunday August 12

Today was the long drive to Cape Cod. When I arrived, I settled in to my room, then went out for some Pad Thai, and spent the early evening on West Dennis Beach.

Monday August 13

Beach day! Today I spent the day at Nauset Beach. Nauset's most famous toothy visitor (seen here tracking a kayak) did not make an appearance. In one sense I am happy to know that the Great White Sharks are coming back to Cape Cod, because a healthy environment requires a top predator, but I'm not eager to share the water with a fearsome predator. I hope they are swimming in the icy deep far away from humans enjoying the beach!

First a quick visit to the Salt Pond Visitor Center...

then a full day at the beach!

Tuesday August 14

Today I went to Provincetown for a whale watch. I went in the late afternoon, early evening. We had some beautiful views of whales feeding in the ocean.

Most of the time we are lucky to get a glimpse of the arch of a back, or the splash of a tail...

Every once in a while we get a magnificent view like this!

We saw 3 whales traveling together. Little is known about the social lives of these amazing animals.

Time to head back! A beautiful sunset...

Colors are deepening...

Fire red sun sinks into the ocean.

Wednesday August 15

Today I set out on a series of hikes recommended by Gary from Shady Hollow.

Hike 1 was Wing's Island to the dunes and tidal flats along the Cape Cod Bay.

Marshy grass

A view of the meadow and the bay

Tidal flats. I saw lots of wildlife, seagulls and wading birds, tiny fishes...

Hike 2 was the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge.

View of salt ponds and ocean.

Lots of walking along sparsely populated trails.

A view of the ocean from the trail

Hike 3 was Namequoit and Pah Wah Point, a very nicely preserved and quiet refuge.

Salt ponds

View from the lookout

Thursday August 16

Today I rented a bike and explored some beautiful bike paths leading through forested areas to the ocean and saw Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Light Beach.

View of Coast Guard Beach

I found this little snail on a park sign. Actually, the "life savers' most dangerous duty" is avoiding giant snails who want to take over the boat!

Lovely Coast Guard Beach

Clean sand and water....

Never can have too much beach time...

Relaxing views

A view of the Coast Guard station

I biked to Three Sisters Lighthouses. Here are two of the Three Sisters, preserved lighthouses from a bygone era.

Nauset Light House

Wild roses on Nauset Light Beach

A view of the beach.

Just a short walk from the most densely populated areas one can find a little solitude.

Friday August 17

Time to drive back home! But first, a few photos of the Bed and Breakfast.

Much of the food served is either grown in the gardens or obtained locally.

Shady Hollow Inn

A beautiful spot to relax

There are many gardens with bird feeders to explore.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

2012-07-28T23:30:00.000-04:00

Saturday was a hot and humid day for a hike around Green Lane Reservoir, in Montgomery County. The forecast called for rain, but not a drop fell from the sky during our hike. They day was hot and sunny, so we were careful to stay hydrated, and those moments when the trail meandered through wooded areas were a welcome relief.

We stopped for lunch by the reservoir.

The picnic tables were in the shade.

Sunny skies despite the weather forecast.

We had views of the reservoir from most parts of the trail.

Afterwards we stopped for gallons of iced tea and delicious sandwiches. I ordered a vegan portabella spinach sandwich on a crusty roll with some fresh cut french fries. A welcome treat!

Just a Little Walk in the Woods, Henry's Woods at Jacobsburg State Park

2012-07-21T21:28:00.001-04:00

I found this quote from Rachel Carson in her beautiful book "The Sense of Wonder" and I longed to be out in the woods today:

Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. Whatever vexations or concerns of their personal lives, their thoughts can find paths that lead to inner contentment and to renewed excitement in living. Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for the spring. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature - the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter.

Late afternoon sunlight coming through a grove of hemlocks in Henry's Woods.

I love the sound of water bubbling over rocks, don't you?

The beauty is in the details...

Serenity...

I enjoyed these beautiful reflections while listening to the melodious notes of wood thrush calling to each other, and the occasional drumming of a woodpecker.

Mount Tammany to Sunfish Pond, Delaware Water Gap

2012-06-16T23:00:00.000-04:00

We had a beautiful day for a hike on Mount Tammany to Sunfish Pond. The weather could not have been better, mid eighties with very clear skies, hot in the sunshine, but with a nice refreshing light breeze.

View of the Delaware River

View from Mount Tammany

Sunfish Pond, my favorite place to stop for a lunch break

The light changed a little, now we can see the reflections of the clouds.

A rock sculpture garden created by hikers

Someone else was enjoying the sun also.

Serene view of the lake. A great cloud day!

We took the Appalachian Trail back, and stopped by Dunnfield Creek to cool off.

Perkiomen Trail from Central Perkiomen Valley Park

2012-05-26T22:02:00.002-04:00

Not a lot of pictures today, just a few to record the moment! Today was a hot and humid day, great day to be hiking on a mostly shaded trail along a river.

We've had a lot of rain lately, the creek looked relatively high.

Lots of greenery this time of year, can never get enough hiking in the woods!

Back on the Trail, Lehigh Gap

2012-05-12T21:14:00.001-04:00

I'm happy to be out hiking again! Today was one of the most beautiful weekend days we've had all year, mostly warm with an ever so slight breeze, perfect for hiking.

Railroad bridge

This house on the hill has been there as long as I can remember. It reminds me of Edward Hopper's House by the Railroad. Some day I must find out more about it!

Ah greenery! How refreshing!

I always love hiking near water.

Trexler Game Preserve, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania

2012-02-18T17:40:00.003-05:00

There is nothing that restores my soul more than spending time in nature, except being with friends, and if I can do both together, I am doubly blessed. I had a wonderful hike at Trexler Game Preserve today with friends.

Rolling hills of Pennsylvania

It was a beautiful day for hiking along a stream, the weather was like early Spring.

Hemlocks

Great day