Photographs from a Bloy in Wisconsin
As I walked through Olbrich Gardens this morning, a man was stopped in the middle of the path, staring intently at a mature tree. His back toward me, unaware of my presence, I excused myself to get by. He apologized for being in the way, saying he was just in awe of the beautiful old tree. I agreed as I walked past, saying something about many awe inspiring sights to see today. As I continued to walk over the creek bridge, I thought, any day that gives you feelings of awe, is a good day.
Yesterday, in the middle of a mostly cloudy day, I decided to go hiking at Natural Bridge State Park. While on the trail, just as I approached the park’s namesake (a natural sandstone arch), the sun started shining through a decent sized break in the clouds.
I can often feel more spiritual and closer to God while out in nature, than in church. My time under these tall pine trees (while hiking in northern Wisconsin) is a prime example of that.
I wonder if I would appreciate the summer solstice as much, if I lived closer to the equator, and didn’t experience the long hours of darkness in the late fall autumn?
Happy solstice everyone!
Former Milwaukee Road tracks cross a frozen Monona Bay in Madison.
There something about railroad tracks heading off into the distance that make me want to hop on a train and see where they lead. Pity there aren’t any passenger trains around here.
In Madison, we’ve had close to three weeks of sunless sky. Add in the long hours of darkness, and my psyche is really hungry for some sunshine. As a remedy, I decided to post evidence of the star our planet circles, from an earlier and brighter day.
Thankfully, at least the amount of daylight starts to increase tomorrow. Happy solstice everyone.
Last night’s cabin fever induced dream had me bicycling out in the summer sun. With the dream and this week’s return of the polar vortex in mind, I thought I should post a couple of photos from a ride I took on the 400 State Trail last summer.
Oh to be out there now, pedaling with the warm summer sun on my back.
Madison is in the middle of at least a two day stretch of below zero temperatures. Last night the low was -18 (fahrenheit), and the high today was -11. One of the things I find amazing during brutally cold stretches like this, is the ability of small creatures to survive.
It’s incredible to me that a small bird, like this American Tree Sparrow, manages to stay warm enough to get through these bitter cold days and nights. Another one of nature’s miracles.
While I do love the change of seasons in Wisconsin, the loss of daylight this time of the year is aspect of the change I dislike the most. I can take the cold, I actually like the snow, but the extended hours of darkness are the worst. The sun goes down about 4:30pm these days — too early for me.
I don’t have an answer, but if these guys figured anything out, I certainly hope they let the rest of us know.