Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

Henry David Thoreau

Attentive, Amazed and Grateful: Early Mornings in the Hammock

Thursday January 22, 2015
Highlands Hammock State Park
Sebring, Florida

 

 

For several early mornings of our one week stay at Highlands Hammock State Park I arise before David, bike over to the hammock and silently walk one of the trails.  Each time it is a perfect experience of feeling at one in the world.  I am calmed, my soul is nourished.  Because these are very individual experiences, I am going to post only two of them and post them separately.

 

 

Today I walk the Lieber Trail again but this time it is early morning.  No one is around.

When I arrive and park, my bike is dwarfed at the foot of the 1000 year old live oak.

Only bird chatter from the treetop sounds in the forest as I walk the fern lined path to the boardwalk. 

Perhaps I’ve found a fairy’s broom.  I’m in another world.

I see the sunrise through the trees.  I hear and then see a little woodpecker high in a tree hard at work.

This is a quiet morning, a quiet post to reflect that I have come here to move slowly, to make no sounds, to be attentive, amazed and grateful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“it is a serious thing // just to be alive / on this fresh morning / in this broken world.”
~ Mary Oliver

21 comments:

  1. Enjoying nature is the best event in life. You are so lucky to be an early riser and take it all in and admire it.

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  2. AH ,yes the reward for early risers is the quiet and solitude that envelopes your every sense. Whether you hike, bike ,kayak or just soak in the blessed movements, there is no other time so blissful. I love the second to the last. The water reflecting the canopy of trees is simply beautiful worthy of the morning walk and a lifetime of meditation.

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  3. So beautiful Sherry. Reminds me of when I was a kid gliding through the swamps of southern Georgia in a row boat on a early morning. Nothing but silence while my brothers and I fished as the sun rose in the east and the fog lifting off the tea colored water.

    Swampland has always intrigued me. One of my bucket list items is to take a kayak trip through the Everglades in the winter.

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  4. I agree with you Sherry. Early mornings by myself are the best. I'm so glad I am an early riser and Joe is a late riser. Your pictures are beautiful and I bet you couldn't get your arms around that old oak tree :)

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  5. When I hike alone I am more attentive to the surroundings of nature. Glad to be along with you virtually.

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  6. Early risers always get the best of nature and you are truly blest for being out in there. Through you I experienced the state park in-depth, for we just breeze through there in a few hours.

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  7. Early morning and nature... the perfect combination:o)) Definitely Soul Food!!!

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  8. Love the Mary Oliver quote - beautiful blog. I can totally imagine you taking in the silence and peace of your surroundings. The beauty of morning - definitely a special time of the day.

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  9. how beautiful. . .and absolutely perfect reflection of your morning. . .loved it!

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  10. Such a great place to feel at peace with yourself!

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  11. Now that's the way nature should be enjoyed. No man made noise and just sitting back a listening to real beautiful sounds. :c)

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  12. A perfectly beautiful morning for you. It is a lovely place and your photos speak volumes about it.

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  13. My mind read this in a whisper, not wanting to break the enchantment. From the fairy broom to the mossy tree in its short skirt and grassy slippers to the tiny feet on the boardwalk.......time out of time.

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  14. I am so glad you can have these beautiful morning experiences. It is clear you know how to appreciate each moment and I know it is not only rewarding but restoring.

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  15. Thank you for taking me with you along this peaceful walk. A walk in the woods does a body and soul good. I needed that. (Virtually of course)
    Syl

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  16. Such a perfect quote from our favorite poet. And your words are equally poetic, Sherry. This is a peaceful, beautiful post.

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  17. Thanks for taking us along. Glad you had a peaceful renewing walk-
    xxxooo

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