September 28, 2015
Some Changes Take Eons, Others a Split Second

Went trekking this past weekend to the (not so) hidden wonderland of the Blue Mount State Park.  Being there traversing the vast topography led me to ponder thoughts far and wide and most definitely days gone by.  The centuries old stones, some as large as buildings, and the ancient oak trees, many have been living longer than most of us have walked this earth, are testament to the fact that we are but a fleeting drop of rain on a windshield.

Sure, we all may get caught up in the intricacies of life, but it so important to take a breath, and a real close look at things now and then.  

Like the bright red tiny little bug I found climbing on the rock that served as a makeshift picnic table in the middle of the park that day.  Had I not looked closely I'd missed seeing it and probably squashed it when I perched there.  It was remarkable and I honestly can say that I have never seen such a brightly-hued little insect.  

High up on a rocky perch was a pair of pigeons who put on quite a show. Oblivious to the humans below, they danced in little circles around each other and brought to mind those costumed square dancers who take turns circling one another.  It was quite remarkable.  

Those rocky ledges, through the years, continuously change in their appearance, with large chunks breaking off and falling to the floor of the quarry.  Colorful red veins of iron deposits that run horizontally through the pink rock provide jigsaw-like hints as to how it all may have fit together at one time.  

At any moment things can change in that park, yet at the same time they never do.  (Except for that big tree branch that fell just inches from where I had just walked - that was a change I'm glad I was far enough away to witness.)

It took millions of years for this landscape to form and the big picture is somewhat hard  to fathom.  As the glacier inched painstakingly slowly over the land, the sand and gravel it trailed etched scratches into the rocks.  Those marks can be seen all over the trails.  And in its wake, the landscape was sculpted and molded into what we see today.

If you have not visited the park before, I recommend that you do so.  It's worth the short drive and the moment that you spy the blue-hued mounds in the distance, you will understand why.  Whether you hike the top of the prairie land and see the wondrous array of wildflowers and rock croppings, (and occasional snake sunning itself on the trail), see the mighty birds gliding on the winds overhead, or espy the park's herd of bison, you will indeed be delighted.  

And do duck into one of the many trails that will lead you on a rocky descent into the depths of the mighty quarry.  You will get quite a workout in the climb back up, but will not be disappointed.