Monday, November 15, 2010

A walk in November

Sunday was such a nice November day that I was compelled to go for a hike—not that I need much in the way of compelling. But I usually end up starting my hike right out my own cabin door, and it is a bit unusual for me to actually get in the car and drive someplace to go hiking.
I didn’t go far, just the few miles down to Pinchot Lake to walk on a trail I hadn’t walked on in a while. The walk is an easy one, mostly flat with a few mild uphills. The trail was rocky in spots, though, and those rocks are now covered with ankle-deep leaves, so that made the walk a bit more demanding that it would otherwise have been.

I was simply looking to get out of the cabin and wander around the woods for a bit before I became mired in household chores, so that was good enough for me. This lovely spate of pleasant November weather is soon coming to an end, and I was determined to take advantage of it while I could.

I left early on Sunday morning and never saw another soul on my little trek. White-throated sparrows and Carolina chickadees scolded me throughout much of the walk. A time or two I heard a deer crashing through the woods to get away from me, though I never saw them.

Nothing recharges my batteries like a quiet morning walk in the woods. It doesn’t matter to me if I don’t see anything unusual. It doesn’t matter to me if the walk doesn’t take me to some exotic vista. I’ve never quite understood the folks who feel they have to see a waterfall or a great view on their hikes. It’s the time away from the everyday that’s important. It doesn’t even matter if I don’t go far. It’s only important that I go.

10 comments:

tiptoethruphylsgarden.blogspot.com said...

I so agree with you,just get out & find out what the critters are doing in their natural world,it is always calming & never disappointing for me as well.phyllis

Cathy said...

I don't blame you, I was stuck at work on Sunday.

Jacqueline Donnelly said...

I agree wholeheartedly! Our dear familiar places, like our dear familiar friends, are always good to spend time with. And quite often they surprise us with things we never expected.

am said...

That's how it is for me, too. Now that I am working again, the walks are shorter but always sweet.

Cicero Sings said...

I'm glad I got out on Sunday for a walk too as today it socked in and rained all day and that rain has now turned to snow with temperatures dropping. The forecast is for continued snow all week.

Carolyn H said...

Cicero: your forecast sounds like mine. The rain has started here. Snow showers on Thursday.

Carolyn H.

Carolyn H said...

Phylliso: I've never been able to figure out why so many people don't apparently enjoy time outside in the natural world. That never made any sense to me.

Carolyn H.

Carolyn H said...

cathy: I hope you had some time off these past several days to enjoy the good weather--even if it wasn't on Sunday.

Carolyn H.

Carolyn H said...

Woodswalker: I think it's because we know the familiar places so well that a small change or difference is immediately interesting. If you don't know what's there in the first place, you're sure not going to appreciate any subtle differences.

Carolyn H.

Carolyn H said...

am: Time! there's never enough of that, is there?

Carolyn H.