The great outdoors with the family.
Hiking and sitting by the water just taking a relaxing breather.
Grateful for Independence here and in the Promised Land! ;-)
(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
Showing posts with label Park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Park. Show all posts
July 4, 2021
September 15, 2020
Garden of 5 Senses
July 3, 2020
May 18, 2020
Keep The F*** Away From Me
Shaking hands is a no-no!
Even in the park yesterday, they had a sign prominently displayed that read:
Thank you for practicing social distancing. Please stay 6 FT apart.
We might as well all just wear t-shirts or little reminder signs on each of us with:
Keep the F*** away from me!
That about sums it up without putting up a specific distance range. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 23, 2018
@Tree Top Park, Davie, Florida
July 8, 2018
Every Time I Go Mexico
First, we went for a nice kayak boat ride around the lake.
Then I couldn't help stopping and listening to this relaxing and peaceful music.
These guys were great--I'd pay to listen to them.
Just a bunch of friends getting together to play beautiful music.
This is life as it should be. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 28, 2018
June 17, 2016
Everyone Drinks
June 7, 2016
Now You See It and Now You Don't
Took a little hike on Sunday through Sligo Creek.
It was an absolutely gorgeous day.
Walking along the creek, we saw a mother and child wading in the water.
(Not sure that I would do that based on how clean or not it is, but they seemed to be cooling off and having fun).
Then crossing a little footbridge, we came across someone tossing this pretty big bolder over the side and into the same creek.
There was another guy at the bottom who seemed to be looking out for the big splash (or perhaps anyone happening by who would get clobbered by this thing).
Anyway, this was just a stark juxtaposition of people (including children) having fun in the water and the potential hazards from above.
This is life, one minute everything can be sunshine and roses, and the next bing bong!
Got to be grateful for every minute of peace, health, and prosperity-they are truly gifts and nothing is owed to anyone from the Almighty. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 11, 2016
A Beautiful Crane
A most beautiful crane.
Such a long neck, skinny legs, smooth feathers, and a yellow beak.
When it took flight, it was so amazing.
It's wingspan was huge.
And it soared and glided through the trees and into the sky.
I wish I could have caught it all on video.
So free, elegant, and graceful.
There was something almost heavenly about it.
Imprinted it on my memory--loved it. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 15, 2015
Beautiful And Serene Hiking Sunday
Today was absolutely beautiful.
The sun was shining bright and emanating warmth, but the air was cool with a breeze--that is the best of all worlds.
The path was quiet and serene except for some occasional bikers yelling, "On your left"--might as well have said get the h*ll out of the way--one bike, two bikes, three bikes...okay done.
Dossy and I held hands like newlyweds and just walked and talked along the trail.
The daily stress and worries seeping out and away--and I am just floating with a renewed peacefulness and gratitude to Hashem.
Thank you all merciful G-d for granting us peace--one of the greatest of all blessings--may it spread around the world and last for all eternity! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 19, 2015
Washington Like The Powerful Great Falls
It started to rain a little as we got off the highway, and so we started to turn back disappointed.
But before we got back on the highway, the rain stopped and we continued our "Sunday Funday" trip.
With 3 beautiful overlooks of the Potomac River--even on a cloudy, chilly Fall day--it was marvelous.
Because of the changing weather, it wasn't too crowded and we were able to get right up on the overlooks for some spectacular views and photos.
At one point a (rescue?) helicopter suddenly pulled up from nowhere beneath the cliffs and was like right there up close in our faces, but we had already started to pull back to the trail and I missed a cool photo that I would've like to capture.
The current of the water is really strong at Great Falls and an average of 7 people die a year there.
Also, sometimes there is such enormous flooding that the water crests above the high overlooks--75 feet up!--and overflows onto the park's grounds.
We watched some climbers scampering along down on the rocks by the water (on the left) as they got close, but not too close to the water's edge.
As I think about it, living in Washington, D.C., the capital and superpower political hotbed of the world, the symbolism of being on the edge is not lost.
Some people wade too far and get overcome by the rising water and powerful currents, and others may be too apathetic or fearful to even get close enough to dip their toe in the muddle.
Even for those that sincerely care and want to try to make a difference in the direction and future of where we are going--technologically and success-wise--it's water, water everywhere.
Like Great Falls, DC runs with a powerful current--a lot of it simply running nowhere, much is hidden beneath the surface, but overall with enough force to shape our country's destiny for better or for worse. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 7, 2015
Outskirts City Life
In the background, under cloudy skies, the tall city buildings--sort of wobbly with all the people and goings-on, which in a way we want to leave behind for some peace and quiet.
In the foreground is a bridge and park with some sun and trees and people talking, sitting and laying in the grass and a lonesome car driving by.
The colors are vibrant, the shapes are almost like three-dimensional cut-outs making a sort of fairy tale feeling to the whole landscape.
The picture is overall one where we balance hectic life in the city with the restfulness and tranquility of surrounding nature.
It's a life where harmony is made by conscious choice and actions to promote a healthy body and mind amidst what we seek to do and accomplish and all that which we are asked to bear for it. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 2, 2015
Golden Retriever Swims Like A Fish
Out on the kayak today with Rebecca in Maryland.
This beautiful golden retriever named Rudder was playing on the bank and in the water.
He was swimming and chasing a toy that the friendly owners were throwing way out into the pond.
On this hot sunny day, this dog was having a blast, and the people seemed to enjoy talking with us about him.
Overall this was a welcome break from the Dog Days of Summer. ;-)
(Source Video: Rebecca Blumenthal)
July 20, 2015
The Fisherman
I was out in the water in a kayak enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
I paddled over near to the fisherman, but not so close as to scare away his catch.
It was hot and very sunny out on the water--there was only a little shade near the bank of the pond--and I frequently had to wipe my forehead beading with sweat under the open sun.
But it was nice to just be out there--on the water, surrounded by the greenery, the sun overhead, some birds and frogs about, and a even a little breeze shimmering over the the water.
Even better than paddling itself, is just stopping, sort of sitting back, and just listening to the silence, breathing in the nature, and letting everything else just go for a little while.
One with nature, one with G-d, and feeling integrated myself. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 6, 2014
The Painted Sky
It was a beautiful walk in Rock Creek Park (even with my ongoing limp post surgery).
Coming down the trail, I saw this amazing horse with a mounted police officer, and he was nice enough to stop and let me pet the horse and take this photo with them.
It was a truly beautiful animal and it was so cool seeing them on patrol for all the people taking advantage of the great outdoors here.
In a fantasy type of way, I thought what a dream job (not high-tech, but oh so much in tune with nature and helping people)!
Anyway, this time of year, it was really lush green in the park and pretty peaceful.
It was also interesting today visiting my dad and sitting outside on the deck with him, he looks up at the sky and says rhetorically, yet so innocently, "Who painted the sky so beautiful?"
I thought wow--what an amazing and poetic way to think of the hand of G-d and all that he has created for our benefit.
Now, I think to myself outside, how our physical reality is just a manifestation of G-d's artistry, imagination, and kindness, and it makes it all even better.
(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)
October 5, 2013
The Baconator
So I went to Cabin John Park in Rockville.
In the park was this Baconator machine.
It is a pig for collecting garbage (and not being a pig and trashing the park).
When you press the bottom on the upper right, the pig tells you what to put inside--paper, cardboard, and soft drink cans, but not bottles or broken glass.
The kids seemed really curious about it, but also were sort of scared of it--especially when it says, "I'm hungry, hungry, hungry!"
The Baconator will eat your refuse, but then who would want to eat the Baconator?
Plus as my niece used to say when she was very little, "Piggy isn't kosher!" ;-)
(Source Video: Andy Blumenthal)
May 27, 2013
Attempting a Serenade
1. When I was kayaking, a guy in another boat races after us. He yells out about his wife leaving her keys in the boat. He gets so excited he falls in the lake...this really happened.
2. A couple getting married in the park are taking pictures by the lake. The photographer eggs the lady on to go down to the bank of the water with her new adoring husband. She hesitates, but finally gives in and then falls on her butt in the mud in her beautiful gown... oops.
3. This must've been the weekend for outdoor weddings, because we saw another couple getting married on the hiking trail's overlook. It was a beautiful place for a ceremony and quite economical too. We wondered what they had planned if the weather hadn't cooperated and it had rained--perhaps, "Ah, why don't we get married next week instead!"
4. A couple comes up to me asking if I've seen their lost dog. They are screaming into the woods to see if they can locate the Airedale Terrier, Rosie. I asked what happened to their dog, and they explain that the dog saw some deer and chased after them into the woods and didn't come back. They are there with their extended family with walkie-talkies and all searching and putting up signs. The next day, I am surprised to see the lady sitting on a stoop in the woods with the dog wagging its tail. I ask if this is the lost dog and what happened. And she tells me how the dog found its way out of this enormous park and walked along the side of the road home, until the neighbors sighted her and called them with the news.
5. And finally in this video, I just sort of spontaneously burst out into serenading this lovely lady. All's well that ends well. ;-)
July 8, 2012
Nature Lover
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)
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