A Monday meander: Walktober

Autumn light.

Lift is created by the onwards rush of life over the curved wing of the soul.

~ Robert Macfarlane, The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot

Glittering jewels on the path.

Here it is, the official Post Your Link Here for Walktober post.  I don’t have a Mr. Linky or other link-up type thing.  If you’re participating in Walktober, leave your link in the comments or as a pingback (by linking) on this post.  I’ll do a round-up post sometime next week (or later if anyone needs more time).  In case you’re new here or just need a reminder:  Walktober 2016 will take place between October 15 through the 23, with submissions due by October 25.  THIS is the official “link here” post.  Not sure what Walktober is or if you want to join?  Follow the link over in the sidebar (it’s the third widget up from the bottom labeled “Join us in October!”).  If the dates don’t suit you for some reason, let me know.  I’ll be glad to extend them.  I’m easy that way.

Looking up.

I had the good fortune to travel up to the Pocono Mountains region in Pennsylvania over the weekend.  M and I went up to visit with friends who live in that area.  While we were there we took a walk or two, and I have some photos that we can meander through while I tell you about the trip.

The softness of an autumn morning.

I was amazed and in awe of all the fall foliage colors we saw on our drive up to the Poconos.  I can’t remember the last time I saw such a beautiful variety of autumn hues flowing through the trees.  I was, as always, particularly enamored of the sugar maples.  Sugar maples are not as prevalent here on the Eastern Shore as they are up north, and it’s one of the things I miss about cold-weather living.  There were a lot of brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows stretching out across the mountainous landscape.  The reds in particular were striking.  I don’t think we get quite as much color here, but I could be wrong.  Maybe it only seems that way because there are so many evergreens, such as the loblolly pines, and the colors of the deciduous trees have to compete with all the green.

A breeze whispering through a tree.

Since it was a short trip, we didn’t have time to hike, but did get in a walk or two here and there.  We also attended the Pocono Food Truck Festival & Art on the Mountain at Shawnee Mountain Ski Area.  We had some interesting — and certainly not low calorie or good for you — food, had a good look at some arts and crafts, listened to some live music, and just generally enjoyed the gorgeous day.  We could not have asked for better weather.

Sunlight whispering through a tree.

[Walking] is the perfect way of moving if you want to see into the life of things. It is the one way of freedom. If you go to a place on anything but your own feet you are taken there too fast, and miss a thousand delicate joys that were waiting for you by the wayside.

~ Elizabeth von Arnim

Touched by autumn.

M and I might have been able to fit in a hike if we hadn’t been planning to see the Antares rocket launch that was scheduled for Sunday night.  By the time we found out it was postponed, we were well on our way home and out of the mountains.  The launch, as of this writing, is expected to be at 7:40 this evening so if you’re on the east coast, there’s a chance you might be able to see it.  Check out the viewing map here, if interested.

Brilliance.

The most important part of the trip, of course, was being with old friends.  It has been a while since we last saw them, and it didn’t surprise me to find that we were able to pick up where we left off with great ease and familiarity.  That’s one of the wonderful things about people you’ve been friends with for years.  After a little catching up, you fall right back into the coziness of the relationship without skipping a beat.

Happy together.

I want to think about trees. Trees have a curious relationship to the subject of the present moment. There are many created things in the universe that outlive us, that outlive the sun, even, but I can’t think about them. I live with trees. There are creatures under our feet, creatures that live over our heads, but trees live quite convincingly in the same filament of air we inhabit, and in addition, they extend impressively in both directions, up and down, shearing rock and fanning air, doing their real business just out of reach.

~ Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

Silhouettes in the woods.

Here at the ranch, the trees — mostly the wild cherry and sweet gums — are beginning to show some color.  I’m not sure if it will be a good year for autumn colors or not.  The summer was dry, but the rain of the past few weeks may have made a difference.  We will have to wait and see what develops.

One for the road.

That’s about it for this official and meandering Walktober post.  Thank you so much for stopping by and meandering with me.  I’ll be back soon with more from the Poconos, and maybe some walks around the Wabi-Sabi Ranch.  Don’t forget to take a walk and leave a link here for Walktober.  The more, the merrier.  I apologize for not getting an official post up sooner (I think some of you may have already taken your walks).  It’s been a busy time.  A busy year, now that I think about it.  Hopefully things will slow down soon so I can enjoy life at a more comfortable pace.

Rainbow foliage.

Be good, be kind, be loving.  Just Be.  🙂

Gateway.

A few of the 10,000 reasons to be happy:  26) Today’s gorgeous weather.  27) Hints of autumn colors in the trees.  28) The flowering groundsel trees.  29) Learning the name of the flowering groundsel trees which are actually shrubs.  Another name for them is salt bush.  30) The cawing and chattering of crows.

Magic.