I headed into the woods yesterday. Alone. My husband was sick and after a short visit, the girls had returned to school. The house was too quiet and the day was too beautiful to stay indoors. I drove to a trail head near our house and dove into nature, seeking its comfort, wishing to loose myself in its wonders.
It was a full-on sensory autumnal day. The blustery wind whooshed through the trees, setting leaves dancing and rustling, and acorns periodically rained down, hitting the carpet of leaves with dull thuds. The sun danced through the trees, backlighting vibrant leaves and gilding paths carpeted with amber pine needles. Mushroom and funghi of all shapes and sizes peeked out from between leaves and under fallen logs and climbed the sides of trees.
It was a day for noticing and luxuriating in the small things–the clusters of mushrooms and bright red berries, and the way the golden ferns danced in the breeze. The warm, rich smell of earth and decaying leaves. The leaf rainbow rippling on the water. The chorus of wind-whipped leaves. I was drawn continually off the path to explore just one more scene, to investigate one more shadow. It was literally and figuratively a breath of fresh air and I reveled in it. Finally, feeling rebooted and ready for the week ahead, I turned toward home, once again overwhelmingly thankful to live in such a beautiful place. Sometimes all it takes is a walk in the woods.
Epilogue–As I climbed the hill heading back to my car, I realized I wasn’t alone in the woods. Someone with a quirky sense of humor had nestled this grumpy looking gargoyle in the base of a tree. I’m not sure he is getting as much pleasure from his sylvan home as I did!
Nix the comfort zone 
Thanks for taking me along with words and pictures. Your piece is a good reminder to slow down and take the time to enjoy all that is around us.
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Somehow I always need that reminder, Dan!
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Your description is beautiful! I love how you turn the wind into a chorus. My favorite picture is the last one and can be an inspiration for a poem! What is that gnome guarding?
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Thanks, Cindy. I’ll have to ponder a poem for that gargoyle!
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As I read through the SOL posts this morning it seems that many of us are craving the serenity that the outdoors can provide. You certainly stumbled upon a menagerie of mushrooms and that grumpy gargoyle…hummm. I’m glad you were on your way home. Thanks for the field trip this morning!
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“A menagerie of mushrooms” is a great phrase! Glad you enjoyed the romp through the Maine woods with me. 🙂
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I couldn’t resist a little alliteration!
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I felt calm walking with you virtually. I even had a memory of the scent of the woods. What a glorious day you had.
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I need to remember to get into the woods when life seems overwhelming. It never fails to calm me down and put things into perspective.
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Thank you for taking us with you on your walk through the woods. The photos are spectacular. I agree with the idea of one of them being an inspiration for a poem!
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Thanks! I love walking and taking photos. Yesterday I was thinking it was a good thing no one was with me because my constant stopping to take pictures would have driven them nuts! I’m going to have to work on that gargoyle poem!
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Your words were so descriptive and had a soothing pace. I felt relaxed and renewed by just reading it. It was a glorious day in New England yesterday. The outdoors were too inviting to turn away. Thank you
Clare
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I’m so glad you enjoyed my post! These days there’s a certain sense that you’d better hurry up and slow down and enjoy it, if you know what I mean!
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[…] upon this surprise–a gargoyle tucked into the base of a tree. I posted about my walk (here) and several commenters noted that they thought the gargoyle photo worthy of a poem. Ever ready for […]
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