https://photos.app.goo.gl/Jm6sgAPN9LeT2PbJA
I know you love photos! Here are some scenery shots from our first week in the New England Trail, 95 miles from Mt. Monadnock, NH to Mt. Holyoke, MA at the Connecticut River.
NET: Day 5 Gift of Cheese
August 21, 2018
We were up without hurry and enjoyed our breakfast of Apple oatmeal, cooked gently on our butane stove. We had camped in easy reach to an old road we hoped would lead to Diamand Farm. It did! What a great thruhiker find!
It’s a family run egg and poultry farm in its second generation.
Annie, one of the dozen Diamand siblings, gave me a small block of cheese. They don’t sell cheese in the store, and that’s what I wanted! “I like cheese,” she replied to my query. “I have some at home for you.” As we enjoyed our warmed up quiche from their well-stocked refrigerator of prepared homemade foods, Annie came back with a beautiful creamy hunk of cheese. “It’s Marshetto Cheddar,” she reported. “You can have it.”
NET: Day 3 Sense of Home
August 19, 2018
Our nice and early departure at 6:45 got nixed when we decided to make the side trip to Royalston Falls. “It’s only three tenths of a mile and it’s unlikely that we would come back here just to go to these falls. So, we should go.” I don’t usually use should, but this is the kind of time that warrants a should!
Of course, we were glad we went. The 45-ft falls is magnificent! Its unique quality is its carmel color. How often do you see a falls the color of root beer. This one is complete with foam! What’s that song about lemonade springs? Oh, the big rock candy mountain?
NET: Day 2 Adjusting
We stayed dry all night, even though three or four thunderstorms came through during the night. The Big Agnes Fly Creek tent worked! I’m a fan of my tarp over the tent because it covers a larger area with minimal weight. This tent is a one-person size! We fit snuggly, and the raincover hangs just inches out from the inner tent, not the generous two-feet overhang of the tarp. What I like about the tent is its free-standing setup. That works well for this walk.
Our walk down Gap Mountain into Troy, NH took only an hour, winding steeply through birch trees and hammocks amid big rocks. I do enjoy the northern woods!
NET: First Day
August 17, 2018
We woke up at 6, took a shower in the Monadnock Statr Park campground shower with just 2 quarters for three minutes! I noticed my judgements and loved myself for having them when John drove the van to the shower, then suggested I cook breakfast in the parking lot while he finished up toileting. “That’s what our campsite is for.” He thought my driving the van back to the campsite was a better idea, so I did that. I do wonder how well I can quickly shift judgments like this to peace! Yes, it seems like petty stuff and gets me huffy too! I could use the Four Step Process:
NET: Approach
August 15
Three hours after getting up, at my Mom’s house in Ohio, we left at ten. I was glad we waited til Sarah arrived. I like her, and passing Mom off to her felt responsible. You see, we’ve been staying with my 90-yr old mom since late June, so she can stay home. With our August 15 deadline looming, she discovered Sarah and hired her. Today is her first day!
I nurse a sore neck with heat ointment all day as we drive from Ohio to New Hampshire. Two days ago, my stuffed down fears and feelings kept me in bed with a stomach ache. Today, it’s just a sore neck.
NET: 5 Essentials in Practice
August 12, 2018
I’m preparing for a walk and using the Five Essentials for a Radiantly Fulfilling one! Here’s how they’re playing out!
1. Know Your Trail
We chose the New England Trail because John wants to walk all 11 National Scenic Trails. This one is in the Eastern US where we have been this summer. He’s been poring through websites getting information and details, starting with newenglandtrail.org
trailjournals.com and other sites located by googling the trail name.
What we found out is that this trail winds through a narrow corridor on public and private land, crosses three rivers, and is fairly low in elevation. There’s no crossing at the Connecticut River, requiring a shuttle or very long walk around to a bridge – or a boat ride across! He found a detailed guidebook online. A hiker created it and offers it free! It’s very helpful. I found printed maps and ordered them. We’ve been studying the maps and guidebook, putting together a possible itinerary. We want to walk it as a thruhike. One important aspect of this trail is the stated description that “no stealth camping is permitted.” That means investigating off-trail places to stay in addition to the 8 designated on trail shelters and campsites. We estimate 21 days for the 235 miles. John has played for many hours with Google Earth locating services near the trail.
Atlanta on June 10
I hope you’re coming! Journey Day! forgivenesswalkshttps://forgivenesswalks.com/wild-wind-journey-day/
Calling Atlanta Area Friends – and distant ones too
May 15, 2018
Wild Wind Journey Day is open for your participation! We’ll meet Barbara on Sunday afternoon, June 10 for live singing of her songs woven into my Walk for a Singing Heart, plus live guidance in my Sensory and NonSensory Awakening walks. This includes my nourishing Color Immersion play. It’s a delightful and surprisingly transformative experience that you can do with Barbara and I in person!
Read more about it here!
https://forgivenesswalks.com/wild-wind-journey-day/
Can’t come in person this time? I’ll offer a virtual walk too, including painting supplies sent to your home if you register by June 3.
Posts that Express My Mission
(Love your Gear)
synopsis of workshop for Trail Dames
needs pictures reloaded!
With Mary on Springer Mtn
humorous
Imaging a dream.
August 26, 2015
August, 2015
what it’s like to start a journey
intro to five essentials
Attract Trail Angel NEtwork