Walking On Rocks

The first few times when I started hiking, I had this paradigm that I had to walk between the rocks--sort of like hopscotch--then I realized that I could walk on them.

For a long time, I had heard about how thinking within the box constrains our thought processes and innovation. 

It was interesting for me to see this in action just by the way I initially viewed a basic skill like hiking. 

The paradigms we use to view the world alter what we think and do, and only when we break out of the proverbial box we are in, can we really see and be open to other ways of being and doing things.  

You can walk between the rocks or you can climb over them--whatever works best for you--just be open to seeing things in many different ways.

No one way is necessarily better than another--they are just different and each useful in their own time and place. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Walking On Rocks

Don't Stampede On Others' Feelings

I took this picture of a cow stampede when hiking in the mountains. 

The cows first came up to us all friendly and then after staying for a little bit, decided to bolt off across the open field.

Together--it was like a mini stampede. 

It reminded me of a situation recently, where I felt bad that I had stampeded (albeit inadvertently) on someone's feelings.

We received a delivery--actually a new couch (the other one we were replacing was really uncomfortable and it was high time to go). 

At one point, I was taken a little aback when the delivery man asked me, admiring it--"How much was it?"

Not wanting to really say specifically, I just said nonchalantly, "Oh, not so much."

But the man pressed on and said, "No really, how much was it?"

I was a little uncomfortable, but I figured he's just making conversation, and honestly it wasn't extravagant  so I say in a round figure what it was. 

Then I see his face go dark, and I realized what had accidentally happened.

It was perhaps a bit much for this nice man (although I really don't know his situation, but just his facial expression).

Anyway, I felt terrible and proceeded to say something light and then we chatted for a little bit. 

I think it is important to feel for all people--trying to make the best with what G-d provides and deal with everyday tests and challenges.

We are all people--and at any moment--what befalls one, can befall anyone, so we must be grateful for each and every blessing, for however long G-d grants it. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Don't Stampede On Others' Feelings

The Miracle Of The Red Sea

After being sick the last week with the flu and still on antibiotics, I ventured out today and took the girls hiking in Harpers Ferry. 

It was just a little cold--um, maybe a lot cold--but we slogged through the trails anyway and had a great time.

The water falling off the cliffs was still freezing on the rocks underneath and it made for some nice pictures.

One interesting photo that I've attached was of the water that had a veneer of red over the top--first it looked like maybe it was a tarp, but up close, we saw it was just like a carpet of red algae over the water--it was pretty spectacular. 

I couldn't help thinking how perfect this is for Passover that begins on Monday evening, because it brought alive the image to me of G-d delivering the Israelites from servitude and splitting the real Red Sea for them to cross through to freedom.  

While we didn't attempt to cross this red water, it was an amazing natural sight to behold (thank you G-d). ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

The Miracle Of The Red Sea

Biblical Art

So we turned the clock forward this morning and spring was here...it was warm enough to go hiking again. It was a long one, but great to be back outdoors. 

After the hike we stopped at Max's in Silver Spring for their famous shawarma sandwiches...OMG are they amazingly good (I got mine extra spicy and mixed with the tahini sauce and fresh meat right off the spit...it is delicious!

After paying, I noticed there was this beautiful wall hanging between the register and pickup counter...I started to take a closer look and there were these gorgeous scenes from the bible:

- Creation and the 7th Day of Rest

- Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden 

- Noah and The Ark, Cain and Abel, The Tower of Babel, and Abraham 

- Joseph, Moses, The Exodus from Egypt, and The Ten Commandments

- The Promised Land of Israel, The Fall of Jericho, King David, The Temple, Hezekiah, and Jonah and The Whale

The detail, colors, and flow on this artwork was absolutely amazing. 

It is called "A Celebration of Spirit" and I believe that the artist is Charles Fazzino. 

The lithograph was tall and narrow, and I would love to see it as a whole wall mural...it is really beautiful and brought the bible so alive.

I found out today that not only the shawarma is good at Max's... ;-)

Biblical Art

Awesome Turtle

This turtle was awesome. 

Another hiker found him at the top of the mountain.

When he first showed it to us, the turtle's head was completely hiding in its shell.

After a while, the turtle decided to poke its head out and check out the scenario, and us. 

As you can see, both the shell and the turtle's body is this incredible art deco combination of yellow and black in all sorts of cool geometric shapes. 

In the Fall season's leaves, I imagine this turtle blends right on in--making it am even more amazing find today. 

The guy holding the turtle put him down for a second, and this turtle was almost off and running at turtle speed. 

Cute little fellow! 

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Awesome Turtle

The Chariots Are Coming

Took a long hike today for Veterans Days.

Along the hike, I found a tall branch (maybe 10 feet) that I took for a hiking stick. 

It was a little big for the job, but felt good through the trail to have it. 

At one point, I decided to just have some fun and pretended that I was Moses leading the Israelites to The Promised Land. 

I am not much of an actor, but this was me at it--impromptu. 

Anyway, always good to practice my leadership skills--now back to splitting the Red Sea. ;-)

The Chariots Are Coming

What Happened To My Shoes?

So yesterday, I was on one of the hikes of my life.

After a certain period of time, I said that we had had better head back, leaving ourselves enough energy to make the return trek.

But after a number of times at this mountain, my daughter was determined to make it to the major overlook and do "the full circuit."

I was so impressed with her determination and enthusiasm that I too caught "the bug" to just do it!

So we went and went--marker after marker--laughing, sort of, about how far we were really going--and would have to return.

But the weather was good--it had cooled off--and we felt that we could get there, and back, with some pushing. 

At one point, we hit the summit, and put our rock on the tall pile with the others left by those before us, and we went on to make it to the overlook.

We took some pictures and sat down on the rocks to take it all in--it was magnificent.

Then I casually look down at my hiking shoes, and notice something--the rubber soles had actually come loose from the rest of the shoe--on both feet.

My first thought--great products, not! from this company--darn it. :-(

My second thought--%^(*#$ how am I going to get back in broken shoes?

Making a long story short, the shoes were wobbling over the rocks, tree trunks, and terrain--and I prayed that I did fall or end up getting stuck barefoot in the hills. 

G-d was good to me and we made it back and I headed straight to the hiking store to get my money back for the shoes--I literally took them off at the counter and handed them in tatters to the customer service rep.

Now without shoes in the store, I walked around in socks to the shoe section and picked out a new pair--yay!

Some lessons:

- Enthusiasm is catchy and can spark you to do things you wouldn't normally think you could achieve.

- Never say never--who would think your hiking shoes would literally fall apart in the middle of a hike, but they can and did!

- Always be prepared--mentally and physically--for all sorts of eventualities; life doesn't just go the way we expect or want.

- Thank G-d for a happy ending--because it could easily go the other way.

- And finally don't buy brand X for your hiking shoes--they really stink! ;-)

(Source Photo: Rebecca Blumenthal)

What Happened To My Shoes?

G-d's Creation and Man's Adaptation

I took this photo today at the East View of Sugarloaf Mountain. 

This guy is sitting on the rocks towards the summit of the mountain and doing of all things...technology--it's REALLY everywhere!

He is nestled away in the brush and trees on this rock--off the mountain edge--and is typing away on a laptop computer. 

Not what I was expecting in the middle of all this nature, but then again I was guilty of bringing along some of my tech toys too. 

And at one point--on this--what felt to me--like a near vertical climb (but it wasn't)--and standing lopsided on these protruding rocks, all of a sudden my smartphone rings. 

"Hello," I say grabbing onto a branch of a nearby tree. 

On the other end, "Yes, the is so and so from Dr. whatever's office, and your test results came back as this and that..."

No, it wasn't bad news, thank G-d, but it was just so awkward getting this call up on the this lush mountain and in this way. 

I thought for a moment--maybe, I shouldn't have brought my phone and other technology stuff on the hike--then it would be just me and the beautiful nature--man and mother Earth--alone and as one. 

That thought lasted about a full split second--yeah, that's truly nice--but like Adam in the Garden of Eden without his fig leaf, I feel truly naked--without my technology.

The garden is a lot more inviting when I know the rest of the world is just some personal technology away. 

Like the guy reading and working on his laptop nestled on the mountain--maybe what we have is the best of G-d's creation and man's adaptation--a beautiful marriage--good for the body and the soul. 

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

G-d's Creation and Man's Adaptation

The Sugarloaf Overlook

Went hiking on Sugarloaf Mountain in Maryland today. 

The trails were awesome--with amazing climbs and descents over and around rocks, trees, vines, and the natural vegetation. 

This is a picture from the West View of the mountain, and what I liked about this photo is the story that it tells. 

In it, you can see on the left, the rocks, which represent to me the obstacles in life to climb over, maneuver around, or even to push through--the last option is for the littler ones. :-)

On the right, you can see the trees--areas for shade, rest, and sustenance on your road trip of life.

And in the center, in the distance, you can see the beautiful overlook view of where you are going--for miles around, there is heaven and earth and the meeting of the two. 

There are shades of light and dark where you stand at the overlook, there bright times and dark--on the road--it is not all fun or all hard work, but it is a journey that combines the two. 

I went with my wife and girls and together the trip--to overlook--was nicer and more peaceful, together. 

I was happy going with them--yet, afterward, I was a little sad looking at some of the pictures, and thinking if only it could always be the way it is, right now. 

But life keeps moving forward, through time and space, and what lies over those rocks and trees is but a glimpse of what truly lies ahead for each of us. 

I love the peace of the moment, but the moment passes and the hike along the trail continues with more ascents and descents and around lots of curves. 

I pray and hope for more beauty, health, sustenance, and peace--both along the way and at the end of the passage.

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

The Sugarloaf Overlook

Butterflies In The Summer

These are two pictures of beautiful butterflies that I took today while hiking. 

The first is a black and white butterfly with some gold accents--it's wings were enormous and it is spread over multiple leaves--it sort of reminds me of Batman. 

The second was gold and black with a double wing and a mosaic like pattern--almost like Tiffany glass. 

It was amazing see these beautiful creatures up close and actually I was surprised that they stayed still long enough for me to get near enough to snap these photos.

On a hot, lazy day on the Shenandoah River, maybe they gave me this one. 

Thank you G-d for the magnificent beauty of the creatures and the Earth that you provide to us. 

(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)

Butterflies In The Summer

Happy Mr. Smiley Rock

Remember the Pet Rock--someone made millions of dollars selling lonely people a rock with instructions for care.

Playing around on the computer this evening, I crafted a new character.

Meet Mr. Smiley Rock. 

He tough as a rock, handsome with his lovely hair, and dashing with a smile that's ear to ear. 

I started with a picture of a rock that I noticed when hiking. 

The rock had leaves at the top that made it look like hair to me (I know crazy, huh). 

I thought to myself take the photo and then when I am back, I can just add a smiley face and voila--it'll come alive. 

I found this cute smiley face balloon online and created this mashup. 

I showed it to my wife who gave it her expert blessing. 

Now, I share it for your enjoyment and critique. 

Hey, what are weekends for if not a little fun and creativity?

(Source Photo of Smiley Balloon: here and adapted with my photo of the rock with leaf hair)

Happy Mr. Smiley Rock

Tubing Away The Shenandoah

This is a picture from today of people tubing gathered under the Harpers Ferry Bridge in West Virginia. 

The hiking along the Appalachian Trail was incredible and the water was warm when we waded in off the river bank. 

I have never seen it so busy on the Shenandoah river. 

People were rafting, tubing, swimming, huddled on tubes together talking and singing, picnicking, and laying, relaxing, and suntanning on the rocks in the middle of the river. 

What a beautiful day--thank you G-d. 

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Tubing Away The Shenandoah

Nature Lover

This was a nature picture that I took today while on a little hike in a local park in Maryland.

I like the perspective of this picture and the depth that captures the trees, rocks, water, foliage, and even a walking bridge. 

It was 100 degrees today and we were pretty sweaty making our way through the winding paths, but it was worth it. 

It was absolutely beautiful and peaceful for 99% of the time. 

At one point, we saw some other hikers from a distance and one was literally naked head-to-toe changing their clothes--ah, awkward! 

And no, they are not in the picture. ;-) 

Afterwards, an ice-cold Coke Slurpee from 7-Eleven really hit the spot. 

I feel like a happy camper, thank G-d. 

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Nature Lover