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!
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.
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.
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.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged Colin Fletcher, diane spicer, Fahnestock State Park, Hiking, Hiking Pictures, Hiking the Appalachian Trail, hiking with family, Hudson Valley, Hudson Valley Hiking, Inner Peace, peace, tranquility on April 30, 2017 by The Zen Hiker.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged Haiku, hudson valley ny, Mahopac ny, Photography, spring, sunset, tranquility on April 19, 2017 by The Zen Hiker.
About two weeks ago Netflix came out with a series based on a book by Jay Asher entitled Thirteen Reasons Why. Disturbing on several levels, I watched the first season with a sense of sadness, always hoping that one character or another would be able to help Hannah, the young lady who has committed suicide. I usually try to read the book before I watch something, but after listening to my colleagues talk about the series, I decided to watch it first. This is truly an amazing series.
I don’t want to spend any time going into the entire story, I’ll leave that for you to do. I do, however, strongly recommend viewing this 13 episode series.
What I have done is written a poem from the lead characters point of view.
I breathe the air of despair, not knowing why.
In and out, every waking moment a trial, I am the accused.
The mask I see reflected back at me, filled with pain, not knowing why.
My life is a charade, why would they? How could they?
The pieces of the puzzle, spread out before me, a mystery, for how long?
Each piece a variation on a theme. How do they fit together? Will they fit together? Should they fit together?
I search for the truth, and as my truth unfolds, I am lost, now knowing why.
Days pass and I circle the hole, fighting not to be consumed, but I can’t hold on.
The puzzle refuses to come together. I am not whole and as unrequited love passes by, I cry, not knowing why.
Warm water cascades over me and as I slowly slide into nothing, why did she do it they will say.
Will they ever know why? Should they know why? I am tired of not knowing why.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged Jay Asher, mental illness, netflix, poem, poetry, teen suicide, teenagers, thirteen reasons why on April 15, 2017 by The Zen Hiker.
***I received several messages yesterday saying that the pictures associated with this post could not be viewed. I am reposting the hike from yesterday and hopefully they will come out. If they don’t, please leave me a reply. Thanks to everyone who let me know yesterday!
We are enjoying another beautiful day here in the Hudson Valley. It appears as though winter has left us and spring will take hold until summer crashes down upon us (in a couple of days!) So, a great day means a great hike. Today, my daughter and I went into Bear Mt. and did a variation on one of the hikes in Circuit Hikes In Harriman. I got to spend some quality time with my daughter and got some fantastic pictures. Spring continues to be an awesome time to hike and get recharged for summer.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged Bear Mountain, Circuit Hikes in Harriman, Don Weise, Doodletown, Henry Rollins, henry rollins quotes, Herbert Cemetery, Hiking, Hudson Valley Hiking, hudson valley ny, Nature, Nature Photography, photography quotes on April 14, 2017 by The Zen Hiker.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged Bear Mountain, Circuit Hikes in Harriman, Don Weise, Doodletown, Henry Rollins, henry rollins quotes, Herbert Cemetery, Hiking, Hudson Valley Hiking, hudson valley ny, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography on April 13, 2017 by The Zen Hiker.
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.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged eccentric art, eccentricity, Elephant's Trunk Flea Market, Flea Market Vendor, Flea Markets, Inner Peace, peace on April 12, 2017 by The Zen Hiker.