THE SECOND DAY OF SPRING

A beautiful Sunday afternoon, mid 50's, lots of sun, and the second day of Spring. Where to hike today? Should we go to the Reserve and hike along the river, or start at our own place and hike through the woods, on some neighbor's land, on some reserve land, and back on home? I opted for the second choice because our dog, Sapala could hike close to home and I needn't worry about her. Plus, it was her birthday on Wednesday, and this was a great birthday treat for her.

We started up our hill out back and came to the top where this magnificent oak, dated at over 200 years old, stands. It is truly an incredible tree, limbs outflung in some ballerina-like dance, and seemingly wise, so wise.

Some of the branches nearly touch the ground, and no matter the season, this tree is beautiful.

Standing beneath her and looking up. What stories she must have. We wonder what the land around here looked like 200 years ago when this tree was just a sapling?

This limb is so close to the ground, and appears to offer a hug.

I come to this tree quite often in the spring and summer, sometimes bring a book and a pad, lean my back against her trunk and read and write. It is quietly peaceful, the silence is soft and gentle.

We moved on from this tree and hiked several miles. In another part of the woods, on the Reserve land we came upon this phenomenon. We wondered if this was the result of a lightening strike, though it is something we had never seen the likes of before.

It almost looked as though 'someone' extremely heavy sat upon its top and squashed it.

Poor Sapala, nine years old last Wednesday, and she was showing a bit of exhaustion at the top of this crest. We sat down just below a corn field, overlooking Rockton in the distance, and took a brief rest.

Nearly home. Hiking though what we call the Middle Valley, there stands another old oak tree, not quite as spectacular as the one at the top of the hill, but still stunning in its beauty. I feel blessed to have these wise, old ones standing sentry over our land, and over us as well. And I feel blessed to have days like today.