October 21, 2010
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Truly Penn’s Sylvania
I live near one of the many state game lands in Pennsylvania. There is one trail in particular I have come to love, a 40 minute walk in the woods. Want to walk with me on a glorious fall day in October?
The sky is a brilliant blue, and the leaves, although not as colorful due to dry conditions, are a stark contrast.
The path seems like a gateway to adventure.
As I walk, my feet scuff through the leaves on the ground. What they lack in color, they more than make up for in shape.
There aren’t many flowers on my walk, but those that are there are especially admired. Here’s some Lady’s Thumb. If you look at the leaf, there will be a darker green spot, almost as if a lady’s thumb had made a mark there.
When I walk, I can imagine myself thrown back into time. Indians roamed the Pennsylvania woods. Revolutionary War soldiers, settlers, trappers, explorers–they all wandered here.
And sometimes, I’m not in Pennsylvania at all. It might be Little Red Riding Hood’s woods or one of the many forests that travelers in search of quests traversed. Who will I be today? And like my fairy tale counterparts, I always want to be kind in case it turns out to be helpful later. I never seem to meet any old women or hungry people, so I just toss half-sprouted acorns from the path into the woods so they might have a chance to grow.
And although I have yet to be rewarded with a dress the color of moonbeams or a wishing bag, sights like these are certainly a reward!
Sometimes I’m amazed that these can be leaves. Are the flowers even this brilliant?
All too soon, my daydreams are halted. I see the end of my trail–the red fencepost that I always touch to mark the halfway point of my journey. Then, I turn around.
Walking back, I notice a pond I’ve never seen before. How could I have missed this on all my jaunts?
The berries are so bright and cheerful, even if they are poisonous!
I hate to end my walk, but two phone calls from lonely Little Miss have me heading home. Good bye until next time!
Comments (12)
If only I had an imagination like that! So glad you posted! Keep it up!
I was just talking about you with someone! I’m so glad you posted, and so well!
Loved the walk – great colorful pictures – thank you
Love the photo of the red and yellow leaves!
How beautiful. I’m so happy you were able to exercise your body and imagination at the same time.
Thank you for taking us along on a lovely walk! I feel like I was there.
So glad to see you posted this! I very much enjoyed it, even more thinking that Tertia might be enjoying similar sights. Here, the rabbit brush blooms bright yellow, (and my hayfever kicks into overdrive) this time of year.
You blogged! Yippee! I’ve thought of you often and wondered where you were and what you are doing these days.
Lovely photos, and lovely walk. I needed that tonight.
thanks for taking us on the walk with you. what an enjoyable adventure! i applaud your writing skills, drawing the reader in to the journey with you.
Beautiful! wish i could see foliage like this.
I’m so glad to see you back…it’s been too long! These pictures are lovely. Thank you so much for sharing them with us.
I love those leaves that are speckled red and yellow–very cool!