Walking on the Zak Preserve

I've been having a "mini pity party" the last couple of days. Today I cancelled the "party" and headed outside to enjoy the sunny day. My faithful companion BuddyTheElf is always glad to take a walk so we headed across the brook for a walk on the Zak Preserve. Hmmm...which way to go? Lets do the walk opposite of what we usually do....its a big loop anyways.

Yes, the leaves are beginning to change here and there, Mother Nature has begun to decorate for autumn.

What's this? Oh my! A heart-shaped rock in the pine needles.

The trail that I usually follow is about 1 1/2 miles. There are lots of exposed roots so I have to keep an eye out so I won't end up sprawled out on the trail!

Here's a bit of cheer!

Coming out of the woods back into the big meadow full of sunshine....our house is in the upper middle part of this photo. I think we have one of the best backyards with a brook, marsh and plenty of wildlife.

Lots of milkweed in the meadow.

The grass in the meadow is starting to look "fallish". Lots of goldenrod and asters here, natural bouquets of flowers to brighten one's day.

One of several bird boxes on the property.

Heading home, back along the side of the road. You can see where we have worn a path alongside the guardrails. Buddy is always on his leash so we can walk safely alongside the road. The path spans Wildcat Creek.

I stopped about halfway across the "path" to snap this photo of our home. The brook was so still and reflected the pretty blue of the September sky. It was a nice walk indeed. No more pity parties for me!

Busy, busy

We have been busy the past couple of weeks. The Saturday before Labor Day Mark and I took a hike at Linekin Preserve.

We enjoyed some quiet time by the small pond there.

There is a nice trail through the woods. I am fascinated by the log stairway someone carefully constructed so one can climb up over a big ledge.

Found several heart-shaped stones.

My "baby" turned 19 on the 7th. Time is rushing by...

We took a long hike at Ovens Mouth West which is located here in Boothbay on Friday. It was about a three mile hike. The weather was perfect for our hike, clear and a little cool.

Imagine....a stone shaped like a heart!

The trail is very rocky and climbs up high along a ledge. There are parts of the trail that run along the sharp edges of ledge and one must pay careful attention!

There is nothing prettier in the woods than ferns. There are several kinds on this trail and they are so green, even though its September.

One of my favorite "hearts".

This heart-shaped stone looked as if it had been carefully carved out and placed alongside the trail. Perhaps Mother Nature had this one special made!

Buddy has enjoyed the cooler weather we're experiencing. The last week has been about twenty degrees cooler during the day. The humidity is gone and its beginning to feel like fall.

I spotted these clouds while sitting at my computer early one evening. I have been trying to catch up on all the blogs I follow. I can read one or two at a time. One of the effects of fibromyalgia is "fibro fog" and I have unfortunately been in it-alot! I promise to be around to check out your blogs, slowly but surely! My Aunt Jean, my mom and I took a trip to visit their older brothers last week. It was nice to listen to them as they got "caught up" with each other. Many memories were shared and I enjoyed learning more about my mother's family.

I took a walk next door on the Land Trust trail with BuddytheElf this morning. I spotted this heart-shaped cloud over the farm that adjoins the trail.

I was delighted to spot these purple asters in the meadow.

Ashton and I made a trip to her college bookstore. She is in her second year. She goes to school two full days a week and works one 12 hour shift each week on the medical/surgical floor at a nearby hospital. All we see is a blur when she comes home!

Dancing Merengue Dog