appalachian trail

Four days into my vacation and I'm finally feeling like myself again.

Today I took two different walks along the Appalachian Trail.

Yes, as indicated by the white blaze to the left, the trail 

continues through a boulder field.

The view from Bake Oven Knob.

I haven't been here since I was a teenager, it's always so busy.

Too many people for me to stick around so I headed a bit South.

On my way down a head to head encounter with a very large black snake.

We paused to consider each other then I tapped my walking stick on a rock

and he slowly left the trail, soon to be hibernating I'm sure.

The State Game Lands below Hawk Mountain.

An hour's walk up and forty-five minutes down.

Late lunch creekside.

A thousand gnat veil kept me from lingering.

Yes, I'm feeling much like myself again.

xo, j

another yarn sale...

Cascade 220 Heathers in Walnut Heather

Woodstock Knits Tinted Tweed in Violet

Quince and Co. Lark in Fjord

The view from the empty farm stand.

Yarn buddy Jenn texted me Sunday morning that our favorite LYS,

Conversational Threads, was having a sale of 30% off all clearance yarn!

Soon after the shop opened we met up at the back table 

to rummage through the goodies and both walked away

with enough yarn for two sweater projects each.

sigh…so much yarn, so little time…

happy knitting!

xo, j

jacobsburg state park - high meadow trail

the march wind has returned

to wake the slumbering trees

hardenburgh trail

"At some point in life, the world's beauty becomes enough."

-Toni Morrison

On Saturday I took a hike up the Hardenburgh Trail

into the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest.

The rocky trail was sometimes steep and always uphill.

At times it was a challenge to find the next blue trail marker.

By the end of the hike my knees were burning!

Uphill and downhill both took their toll.

mushrooms, lichens, moss and ferns 

an afternoon spent in the company of trees

it was oh so quiet 

I wonder what it's like up there tonight,

what creatures are shuffling about the forest floor...

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

to the mountains

I was able to spend the afternoon by a stream in the mountains today.

The snail was found in the woodpile; snail relocation requires patience!

The muscari that I planted two years ago have gone to seed 

with the most exquisite little triangular purses.

The water level was low but positively teaming with trout.

I covered the campfire and drove the long way home.

This week I will be working long hours in Soho, NYC.

Will definitely find time for a 'long lunch' at Purl Soho!

Not sure I can find the cord to connect my camera to my iPad 

so I may not be able to post until next weekend.

(I'm sure my brother D has three of these connectors 

and knows exactly where they all are!)

Have a wonderful week everyone.

xo, j

Sunday - Golden light

Despite a nasty cold I went for a ride up and over the Blue Mountain.
A hunter's cabin, view from the top and the Appalachian Trail Northbound.
The golden late day sun did not go unnoticed.

Friday

 

A rain soaked afternoon in the mountains...