jacobsburg state park - high meadow trail

the march wind has returned

to wake the slumbering trees

hibernating

It seems to snow every other day

and the cold has been unrelenting.

I should be writing thank you notes

but instead grab a book and a cup of tea

then pull a blanket over my head and nap with the cat.

winter

catskill mountains

beaver kill

underwater hole 10-12 feet deep and full of trout

looking downstream

apple trees in the wild forest

the valley

I'm back from the woods and missing it already.

I'm hopelessly enamored with the Beaver Kill 

(kill is another term for creek)

and the mountains it winds through on its way to 

the Delaware River.

Pleasantly tired but rejuvenated.

Tomorrow some photos from my Saturday hike.

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!

Dunnfield Creek, Delaware Water Gap, NJ

brother and sister boots

poor lost handmade mitten

tree hugging rock - winter

Today my brother and I went for a short hike at the Delaware Water Gap.

This is the same walk we took 6 months ago when he visited in the summer.

There were patches of snow and some dramatic icicles along the way.

After our walk we stopped by a local diner for an egg sandwich and a burger.

Although I couldn't walk very far or fast, still have a cough from the flu,

we had a great day together.

Late Afternoon Walk

crab apples

knitting gifts

belted kingfisher

Today I made a last minute trip up to the mountains.

There were only a couple hours of sun left so my walk was short.

By the time I left the moon was almost set and it was 27F.

brrrrrr!

Thank you all for the lovely comments on my previous post.

It really made my day and prompted this little walk.

Thanks for getting me out of the house!

xo, j

Delaware Water Gap

Stone for my brother

Tree hugging rock

On our last day together I took my brother for a short walk 

up Dunnfield Falls at the Delaware Water Gap, New Jersey side.

Young boys with swimming trunks and towels thrown over their shoulders

make the short climb to the big pool to cool off.

During the Spring, this seemingly gentle creek can tear

through the gorge.

Quite a contrast from New York the day before.

Yes, I'm quite fortunate to have both city and mountain within 

a short drive from my home.

That's all for the vacation photos.

Now back to work!

Creek Walk

pretty little oakworm moth

Up to the mountains last night.

I took a late evening creek walk in shallow water

with trout and crayfish darting out of my path.

Small creatures were busy everywhere.

A plump brown mouse with bright black eyes

scurried from the woodpile and stopped at my feet.

Later, bats dove after fireflies as they rose from the field.

Grilled turkey dogs, sweet corn and potato salad for dinner.

Very much a summer meal.

Back home and counting the mosquito bites on ankles, knees and shoulders.

Those on the back of my knees are the worst!

Why do they always swell up and itch more in the evening?

A tepid oatmeal bath should help.

Mosquito bites and the first low rattle of Cicadas...it must be July.

Thursday - Tuesday's walk 2

I love that canoe...

Tuesday - Ride Home

Sophie is not a morning girl and doesn't much like her picture taken,
but we both love that the sun is coming our way again.

The sky was soft and the air still cool tonight.
Willows are turning yellow.
And that beautiful moon...