Linda Barnes, Class of 2024
I am leaving the city congestion.
Headed out on a new adventure.
Going to get myself a dose of nature.
Fill my lungs with sweet fresh air
Fill my heart with joy
Fill my mind with awe and wonder
Restore my soul.
A walk through the woods gives me the elixir I crave.
Contentment begins to pulse through my veins.
I become small and insignificant among the towering trees in a vast forest.
I begin to observe as I walk-
Gnarled roots spiral out from tree trunks.
Leaves are falling, carpeting the path ahead of me orange, yellow, and brown,
A mosaic of different shapes and sizes.
I smell the dampness of the earth,
The rot of the fallen trees giving nourishment back to the soil on which they lay.
Soft mosses and lichen grow upon them.
Spreading color and life over death.
For without decay we can’t have new growth.
I hear the occasional sweet sound of birdsong.
I hear the drumming and calls of the pileated woodpecker resonating through the forest.
The trail leads me through passages of large boulders.
Rocky, exposed roots, natural stone steps ascending to the next level.
Huge boulders, rounded, squared, moss-covered, some balancing precariously on other boulders and atop cliff edges. There are overhangs and small caves.
On this short journey through the forest there are no phones, no TV, no radio, no job, nor chores to beckon me. There are no schedules to adhere to.
I am in no hurry. Time is nonexistent. I can stop and absorb the sights, smells and sounds. I can touch and feel. Why would I want to rush through such a tranquil place?
Thunder is rumbling in the distance. The sky is growing darker, blocking the sun from this already dense area. The thunder is drawing nearer, the rumbles are louder.
I begin to race the rain.
The rain wins.
I feel the first cool drops. The clouds let go and shower me before finding temporary shelter under a nice overhang. The rain passes quickly. I move on. I enjoyed the rain, getting wet, feeling the drops fall on my head and face. This was an unexpected gift.
The climb up was a little slick, but what a beautiful view from the top of the rock surface. The sky is still dark with clouds and there is a vibrant yellow tree that stands out in the foreground among the vast green forest. A few orange ones sprinkled in.
I walk through tree lined trails and come out into open rocky ground. The sun begins to reveal itself again – the blue sky washed clean. The puddles left behind on this rock surface reflect the trees above.
I arrive – not easily, at a natural grotto. Inside I find Rock Pigeons nesting on the ledges above. A small pool at the far end of the entrance catches water dripping from above, creating water rings that reflect onto the surrounding rock walls.
High above this pool, a tall orange leafed tree stands sentinel on the ridge.
This trail takes me on a variety of terrains -
Green forest, rocky creeks, small pools, pine and leaf strewn paths, opening into rock and boulders.
I stopped to rest and as I sat there, all I heard was the sound of silence. What a blissful state of peace.
The trail was long and tiring, but so worth the effort.
My walk through the woods gave me the elixir I was craving. A healing balm to my soul.
