Nature and Spirituality

[Sarian]

Me too, BigJohn, prefer just hiking alone.

JASG,yep, I'm right in the middle between Rochester and Syracuse...ugh...closer to Ithaca :-)

I joined a hiking group once...the best thing about it was getting emails about all these great hiking trails I never even heard of. I got the courage up finally to go on a hike, it was a place I go to a few times a week as it was, but I figured it was easy to get to and I'd feel less awkward. Well, I sat in my car and watched them. I couldn't do it. :-/ I knew I'd not enjoy it as I do on my own and wasn't really wanting to talk through the hike... I thought maybe I would follow them a bit behind and see what it's about...but I really would rather get up at the crack of dawn, if not earlier and head out before the places I like to go to regularly turn into ant colonies....

I'll have to check out Northhampton Park one day. So many places I want to check out nearby that I never get the chance.

I love nature too, same...all of it...and it's only gotten stronger...

Originally Posted by Sarian

I joined a hiking group once...the best thing about it was getting emails about all these great hiking trails I never even heard of. I got the courage up finally to go on a hike, it was a place I go to a few times a week as it was, but I figured it was easy to get to and I'd feel less awkward. Well, I sat in my car and watched them. I couldn't do it. :-/ I knew I'd not enjoy it as I do on my own and wasn't really wanting to talk through the hike... I thought maybe I would follow them a bit behind and see what it's about...but I really would rather get up at the crack of dawn, if not earlier and head out before the places I like to go to regularly turn into ant colonies....

I'll have to check out Northhampton Park one day. So many places I want to check out nearby that I never get the chance.

I love nature too, same...all of it...and it's only gotten stronger...

By chance was it SAOAC (Syracuse Area Outdoor Adventure Club) meetup group? It is (or was) a very large and active meetup group. Hiking, kayaking, camping, backpacking, Polar Bear Dive into the Seneca River in Baldwinsville every winter, ice skating and Christmas tree lighting in downtown Syracuse, spooky Halloween walk in historic Oakwood Cemetery next to Syracuse University, annual Middle Ages Brewery weekend party in the park next to the brewery in Syracuse.

If that's the group and you're looking for something to do, I highly recommend them. Great group, great people, great outings.

My profile picture is with a small SAOAC group at Pixley Falls State Park on on Tug Hill Plateau near Boonville. I'm in the black t-shirt and the guy in the read sweatshirt is Joe "Bear", one of the meetup group organizers.

[Sarian]

Haha! Now I feel like I lead a very sheltered, reclusive life! I've never heard of SAOAC! And you know far more about what's going on in this area than I do! No, I think the name of the group I joined but never actually did participate was a small trail hiking group, Cayuga hiking group, trail group...I can't even recall it now.

SAOAC does sound like great fun, I think I get too shy as far as that first step...walking into a place alone...the deer in the headlight look on my face, uh, now what??

Now I'll have to check out your profile picture LOL!

[Miss Hepburn]

Hi Sarian!!!!!! Tell JustASimpleGuy we got tipsy together once!
All good here, btw.

Haha! I was at the 2010 festival at Leavenworth Park!

https://beermentor.me/2010/08/20/mid...wery-festival/

[Sarian]

Hahahahaha!! Miss Hepburn, yes, I got a bit tipsy, you got hammered!!! If you ever come back up to NY, you better let me know!! We can do it again, sans your class reunion! ;-)

JASG, you get around! I have been to Leavenorth Park but not to any festivals.!! I'm envious of your travels!

Originally Posted by Sarian

Hahahahaha!! Miss Hepburn, yes, I got a bit tipsy, you got hammered!!! If you ever come back up to NY, you better let me know!! We can do it again, sans your class reunion! ;-)

JASG, you get around! I have been to Leavenorth Park but not to any festivals.!! I'm envious of your travels!

Middle Age Brewery is right next to the park.

They put on a pretty good party. Aside from the food and beer they roll in two stages and rotate bands.

[BigJohn]

I enjoyed watching your 2 videos.

Thanks.

[BigJohn]

JustASimpleGuy,

When you are hiking, what precautions do you take for safety?

What I am really interested in is what my 'voice' brought to my attention yesterday. This dealt with rabid animals and in our area, really bad people.

Our area has had recent cases of rabid animals and of course our usual run of the mill drug smugglers and human traffickers. You have previously mentioned, I believe, your Ruger. Do you keep 'her' easily accessible or how? Just curious.

I never carried such things on hikes but I have planned two hikes in the future were precautions might be in order.

[CosmicValet]

Originally Posted by JustASimpleGuy

Nature has always been a way for me to connect and especially solo. It's truly a place one can easily remain present and today was no exception.

Yes, I agree. A walk through nature is walk with God. I find a walk in the forest especially peaceful.