jacobsburg state park - high meadow trail

the march wind has returned

to wake the slumbering trees

jacobsburg state park

Although utterly exhausted from work I decided

to take a short walk around Jacobsburg State Park this afternoon.

It felt like snow as the the air was crisp and cold.

I walked around an abandoned quarry and sat for a while

watching as icicles fell into the dark water, echoing off the slate walls.

Down by the creek I slipped on the muddy bank.

My left hand went out to break my fall and landed in a sticker bush.

I pulled out the thorns, brushed off my muddy bum and turned for home.

Despite the mishaps it felt good to clear my head and breathe the fresh air.

Home to a big lunch then I crawled under the covers for a long nap.

More busy days ahead.

xo, j

walking and weaving

Well, my week of cleaning closets has gone out the window.

Instead I dusted off my 36" rigid heddle loom and started weaving again.

Two days later I have a completed black scarf and another half way done.

This morning I took a short break from the loom and 

went for a walk on the meadow trail at Jacobsburg State Park.

The colors are really starting to change and I was surprised to see all the pink.

It's very warm here with loads of bright sun, unusual for October.

I stuffed all my recent projects in a backpack and took them on my walk.

They photograph so much better outside.

Thankfully, no one saw me tying a scarf around the walnut tree!

The park was full of migrating songbirds and the random thump of falling walnuts.

Such a pretty day...

Now a bowl of soup and a bit more weaving before bed.

xo, j

should have been cleaning today...

...but I ended up in the woods again!

Another walk around the meadows of Jacobsburg SP.

This time I took a new trail and three hours later 

finally found my way back to the car.

The temperature was in the low 90's and still quite humid,

a typical summer day full of cicadas, crickets and bees.

At the end of the trail I took off my shoes and dangled 

my steamy toes in the cold creek water.

Trying my hand at some free form embroidery,

we'll see how it goes...I'm a bit tired.

*smile*

Hmmmm, maybe I'll get some housework done tomorrow?

My brother is coming to visit soon so I can't put it off much longer!

jacobsburg state park

thistle

honeysuckle

the shade of crossing over a tree line

a view of the blue mountain, the appalachian trail runs along the top 

cute home along the creek near the parking lot

pig riding a unicorn?!?

pajamas 

This morning I was up and on the trail by 11:30am.

It's been sizzling hot and I wanted to try and beat the heat.

Because of the high temperature the stream trails were very busy,

crowded with barking dogs and laughing children splashing about.

I opted for the meadow trails which were steamier but less traveled.

Within ten minutes I was drenched in sweat...summer time!

*smile*

Gnats dove for my eyes, wiggling about as I brushed them away.

The humid air amplified the thick, sweet smell of honeysuckle

  while catbirds and rufous-sided towhees sang at every turn.

(catbirds "mew" and towhees sing "drink-your-tea!")

Thistles and day lilies are just starting to bloom.

By 1:00pm, when the parking lot was near full, I was on my way home.

I popped a beer into the freezer and took a cool shower.

Then a veggie burger and tabbouleh for lunch with my icy drink.

The rest of my day was spent catching up on some 

hand washing and then painting until evening.

Hope everyone enjoyed this first weekend of summer.

xo, j

Afternoon Walk

I took a lovely walk through Jacobsburg State Park today.

The temperature was quite mild so the trail center had iced up a bit.

Staying along the edges was the safest route.

Roasted chicken and butternut squash for dinner later.

First I'll finish up the last inch or so on my sweater.

Knit from the top down it will be ready to go as soon as I bind off!

Hope everyone had a beautiful Saturday.

xo, j

Back Roads and Hawks

I woke up this morning intending to go for a hike at Jacobsburg State Park.

Unfortunately, I left my car's headlights on over night and drained the battery.

After roadside assistance came and gave me a jump

I decided to make the drive to the park anyway.

(what better way to recharge the battery!)

I didn't stop for fear the car may not restart 

but instead drove around the backroads for a while.

I saw a Broad Wing and a Marsh Hawk along with my usual Red Tails.

It's migration season and they like to follow the mountain chain South.

ps. the car battery is recharged and working fine now