A Quick Outing

 

Hawksbill Crag in Boone County Arkansas

   Well , I have been working for the better part of a month now , and our bank account seems to be stabilizing , which is a good thing. My job is at a small equipment rental company , and we currently have only 3 employees. It is a big change of pace from the mind blowing pace I was working this time last year at the John Deere dealership in Texas . Of course , the pay is about 1/3 less , but I'd much rather earn less take home pay and be able to not be stressed out every day . I still have my moments when I long to be out on the trails , but I can still do some hiking on my days off.
    Penny has been suffering from a bad case of poison ivy , which apparently she got while walking around with me on the lower part of our property. She has been miserable with the itching and sores , and I pray she will soon be free from her misery . I may have ruined her from ever going trekking with me in the woods . I hope not , I do really enjoy her company .... it is a great place to talk .

  Penny could tell I was bored today , and gave me permission to leave her in misery , and go do something outside. We have been having a really cool spring this year (haven't hit 90 yet!) and I decided to try out some local trails , even though it is a holiday weekend. I started down the Dogwood trail , made it about 1/4 mile and the bugs were really bad , and I noticed that the poison ivy was everywhere along the sides of the trail . I didn't want to take a chance of bringing home a fresh batch of poison , so I aborted that trail and drove on over to the White river park about 2 miles from home. I donned my pack and hiking staff , and went up the Big Bluff trail , to the overlook , which is a stunning view of the Bull Shoals Dam tailwater area and the White River . There were quite a few river boats drift fishing for trout , and I saw a group of kayakers heading downstream at a slow pace , enjoying the day .

    I always feel better if I can spend some time in the woods , if only just an hour or two .... it's like resetting a clock or something .

 John Muir , the founder on the National Park systems once said

" In every walk with Nature , one receives far more than he seeks"

    That is the way it is with me .... I always see something that leaves me in awe , and makes me glad I took the time and spent the effort huffing up a hillside , to get to that wonderful vista , or just to see a deer romping through the woods. Life is short .... live well !