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| Hudson Highlands |
I dropped my pack on the ground and gingerly took a few steps further before settling down on the large rock, hanging my legs over the edge. Right in front of me was the root system of a large tree that had fallen years ago, now covered in the delicate vines of the invasive Mile-a-Minute weed. From my vantage point, I could see clear to the Hudson River, and with the cliffs rising up to the left and right of me.
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| At Perkins Memorial Tower |
My geriatric car whined as I pushed on the accelerator, urging it even further up the mountain. With its wonky transmission working overtime, it was a wonder my car was still able to go anywhere considering I lived practically on the side of a mountain. Reaching the summit, I parked the car and parked it, wandering to the steep rocky slope. There, I sat down, hanging my legs over the edge and turned my eyes to the haze in the distance that was New York City.
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| Teddy at Steeplehill, August 2004 |
Strips of leather woven through my fingers, I urged my horse forward. Using my seat bones to push him forward and my weight to lift his weight over to his hindquarters, I touched my leg to his side. After a few seconds without a response, I gently turned my spur into his side. Ringo moved away from the pressure, leg-yielding off the quarter line onto the rail.
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| Turtle Cove, Lake Anna |
Settled in the comfortable cradle of the kayak, I gently pushed away from shore and used the paddle to turn the vehicle toward the open water. Paddling along the water's edge, I guided the kayak over rocks and into a cove. Alone in the cove, I gently drifted with the water current, watching turtles slide off rocks, and the occasional snake swim by, the warm rays of the morning sun shining on my legs, leading to an inevitable sunburn later in the day.
I stretched out on the edge of the dock, one leg sweeping along with a foot skimming the surface of the lake. In a hand I held a glass of white wine. My eyes were closed against the sun's declining rays. In that moment, I did not worry about whether I would fall off the dock. After all, I could swim, and even though spilled wine is always a disappointment, there was the off chance that I could save my wine if I toppled over.
These are just five of many of my happy places. They are not location specific. While I may have a favorite site near the Hudson River, or enjoy watching The City from a distance, I could also enjoy looking over Seattle from Mt. Rainier, or dangle off a rock overlooking the Colorado River.
Sometimes I need to get away from people and be alone. When that happens, I often take refuge outside - ranging between sitting on the back porch to bushwhacking to an overlook point.
What are some of your favorite places? Do you like to be on your own, or do you like to share them with others?
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