A Hike with Apollo!

The Northern Woods have an allure all their own, and Northern New Jersey, although not very mountainous, has beautiful woods that sooth the psyche.

My soul breaths easier when I'm in the woods. It soars aloft and dances with the spirits of the forest.

Come fly with me on this recent trek.

Apollo, a fellow outdoorsman, loves to hike. Having his company on a hike makes it extra special because I can see his joy as he races up and down the ridges, running back and forth between the hiker who's at the lead and the one who's further behind. He rustles through the leaves and never neglects to roll in a mud puddle!

Tying on the boots

The gear

Two pairs of walking sticks

Stelios getting ready

Hurry up, can't you see that I'm waiting!

On the trail

Apollo's family

Taking a water break

At our destination

Isn't he handsome?

Make sure you take the yellow trail back!

Almost home

Enjoy!

Maria

Skylands Botanical Gardens- A Walk

Buddha in the Park

Skylands Botanical Gardens is a true treasure of a park in Northern New Jersey. On the grounds of an old Manor, the Gardens have a diverse array of sections that satisfy every plant lover.

 

The Statuary in the Gardens is magnificent and statues are set in different niches in the garden where they can be enjoyed by the visitors.

The Annual Gardens

The perennial Gardens in late fall

Every season here is beautiful and worth a visit.

Sit for awhile!

Fawn with a flute

On this particular walk, my friend West and I enjoyed watching a pileated woodpecker pecking away on a tree trunk too high for a photograph. West said that she'd seen one up close and what impressed her was that these birds have amazingly developed neck muscles that help them in their relentless pecking!

Enjoy!

Maria