This post is in response to Robin of breezes at dawn. Check out her blog. She writes about her world along the Eastern Shore and her Wabi-Sabi Ranch, and her blog also includes amazingly beautiful photos.
For the past few years we’ve visited the Valley Green Inn during the summer for my mom’s birthday. My husband and I decided to have lunch there this week on a beautiful autumn day, and then take a long walk down Forbidden Drive, along the Wissahickon Creek.
The bridge was closed,
So we hiked down from the upper lot,
Taking the “scenic route” to the restaurant
Because I have no sense of direction.
Something you should know about me.
But it didn’t matter,
We were not in a hurry at all.
We were taking the day off.
We sat by the window
In that dining room
That always smells of wood smoke
From the fireplace at the end.
Lunch was delicious,
A portabella mushroom sandwich for me
With homemade sweet potato chips,
And an open-face Reuben for him
With house cut French fries
Two cups of coffee each,
And then we were set to go.
I had brought a coat
Thinking it might be chilly,
But the weather was beautiful
And perfect for walking.
I wandered down to the water.
Sun and shadows played a chasing game there.
We strolled down the path.
The air smelled fresh and woody—
Not the dry crispness of winter
And not the swampy scent of summer either,
But
Something in between.
The day was bright and clear.
A chipmunk scampered away
Before I could get a picture.
He chirped loudly at us from
Beneath his leafy cover.
Amidst the roots.
We saw an older man walking his dog,
They looked like long-time companions,
Both a little gray and grizzled,
But still enjoying their time together.
A bare-chested man in red shorts ran determinedly
From the opposite direction.
An impressively fit mother
Jogged while pushing her babies
In one of those special strollers
Made for runners with children,
Exercise and childcare combined.
Another woman ambled down the path
While talking on her phone.
Couples meandered with their dogs.
There were a few bikers, too,
But no horses today,
And a childhood memory
Stirred in my mind—
Walking in the woods
With my grandfather and little sister.
He pulled us to the side of a path
As riders on horseback
Come thundering by.
It was thrilling
And a bit scary.
Like ghosts from the past,
And then I remember my brother
Telling me about the Headless Horseman,
A Revolutionary Era soldier
Who supposedly roamed the woods.
But all is peaceful here today,
The ghosts are only in my mind.
We continued our wandering.
We hiked down stone steps
To the water.
I noticed a tree that
Looked like a skeleton to me.
We saw many trees that had fallen
Or stood at an angle.
What tales those trees could tell!
Sunlight highlighted a pop of red
Against the gold and still-green branches
And reflected in the water below.
Birds sang.
“It’s so beautiful,”
I said to my husband.
“Thank you for this day.”
And on the way home in the car
Well, actually to the movies
Because we didn’t want the day
To end,
We listened to Fresh Air,
Terry Gross interviewing
Two bird experts.
There’s a type of bird that can
Mimic almost any sound.
I wondered–
What if there was a bird
There in the woods
Who repeated my words?
What if he flew all over the earth
Saying,
“It’s so beautiful. Thank you for this day.”
***
Thoughts on walking along Forbidden Drive
Walktober 2015
I heard someone say “My favorite color is October” and this mix of poetry ad prose prove that, the jewel tones of your outfit the perfect counterpoint. I too enjoyed Terry Gross’ interview with the bird experts and marvel at how bird organs adapt to their seasonal migrations. Thank you for this lovely surprise post!
Now to check out Robin’s blog.
Thank you, Marian! I appreciate your kind comment. I’ve seen that quotation, too, about October. I didn’t think about my outfit though. How lovely that you noticed. 🙂
Excellent post
Thank you, Derrick!
Oh, Merril, this is the most beautiful Walktober post ever. You paint such vivid and lovely pictures with your words alone, and your photos are wonderful too. I love those stone stairs.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful day. 🙂
Oh, thank you so much, Robin!
Your posts are always lovely.
A wonderful fall walk and with your fitting words to accompany the journey. Truly a walk filled with peace and joy. Like Robin, I too loved the stone steps.
Thank you, Frank. I appreciate your kind words. It was a beautiful day!
A very fall walk indeed!
Such a beautiful walk. Merril, it’s days like those that we treasure forever. One queston: Why is it called ‘Forbidden Drive?’ Excellent photos and prose. 😉
Thanks, Judy! I looked it up, and even though the name sounds ominous, one site said it’s because in the 1920s, cars were forbidden to drive on it.
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Lovely post about a beautiful day. I thoroughly enjoyed the walk with you.
Thank you, Dawn. I enjoyed yours, too!
A most beautiful post, Merril! Love your prose and, like Robin and Frank, am totally in love with those stairs. Thank you for sharing your walk along the Forbidden Drive!
Awww–thanks so much, Dale!
😀
Lovely walk, thanks for sharing it, your pictures really take us there with you, as you say… “It’s so beautiful”. 🙂
Thank you for stopping by, Sallyann. I appreciate your kind words.
What a lovely setting for a walk and a poem! Love the way you described autumn smelling like something between the dry crispness of winter and the swampy scent of summer. Very inviting, beautiful pictures…
Thanks so much, Barbara. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for stopping by and letting me know!
I love the Wissahicken walk Merril! So glad to find you here!
Thank you so much, Val!
Wonderful descriptions of your walk and I loved the delightful ending!
Thank you, Eliza! I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
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