After some pretty intense brief writing sessions this week, I needed some time away from the screen. And I wasn’t the only one. Nick and Evie both sat with their eyes glued to the pixels for most of Saturday, while I typed away. So today, after skating practice this morning, I dragged them both away from their video games and into the woods.
A couple of times every year, we hike to the eternal flame in Chestnut Ridge Park. It’s a fairly easy trail with waterfalls for Evie to play in and tons of great photo opportunities!
Getting away from all of the electronics, schedules, household tasks, and reminders of the daily grind, always seems to do me some good. It’s like the knots I carry around with me are loosened a bit afterwards (if that makes any sense). I needed this today.
Every time we go someone falls into the creek (with the waterfalls). It’s only about 3 ft.at it’s deepest, and not swift-running, so there’s not much danger. This year it was Evie, which is why I’m holding her sopping wet sweatshirt.
For half of the hike, there wasn’t even mobile service. As you can tell, we didn’t mind. It’s strange, if I were to forget my phone at home, even if running late, I’d likely make the drive back to get it. Without this small, rectangular crutch, I feel disconnected and lost. But sometimes it’s nice to get lost on purpose. Be it in a forest, book, song, work of art . . . well, you get the picture.
After our hike, I feel like I can see more clearly. Perhaps it’s my eyes slowly coming out of their marathon writing session stupor. All in all, I’m really glad we did this. It sounds incredibly cliché, but I feel recharged, and in a much better place to take on the week to come.
Plus, after all that hiking, a gelato stop was completely justified!
Yum! Until next weekend!
-C
Weekend Blog 