"To go into solitude, a man needs to retire as much from his chamber as from society."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
This past weekend I took a trip to see my very good friend Carrie, who lives in the Adirondacks. We've been friends since our Freshman year in college and have maintained this relationship over the years. I'm a city girl by birth, but there is something so wholly unique and beautiful about nature that at times I wish that I could spend more time among the trees and the mountains. Last year I visited my friend for the first time. I was swept away by the shear expanse of green, the rolling mountains of the Adirondacks and most astoundingly, the silence. It was everywhere. I could feel my heart settle down, my fears slip away from me. It was such an amazing moment in my life. I will never forget it. I will also never forget the views, which more than once, took my breath away.
Even now, as I think about the trip last year, my heart grows calmer and I become happier. I hiked a mountain trail. I let my feet guide me as something deeper took over. I was no longer this lost girl in the city. I was a woman finding her way again, navigating the earthen trail while climbing higher and higher. My spirit was soaring. There's something about being in nature that can move a person to peace. It is organic and true. It is powerful and spiritual. I needed to feel that again.
This year I had already resolved that I would visit my friend again. She is such an amazing and gracious host. She is also one of my very good friends and I truly enjoy spending time with her, even if it's for a little while. I spent weeks counting down until my mini vacation. I went to work, navigated the city streets, dealt with the city stress, breathed in the city air, all the while my mind daydreamed about mountains and green and nature once more. My friend and I spoke about what we would be doing. She suggested that we visit a place called The Ausable Chasm (pronounced Aw-Say-Bull, not Aw-Subble as I've been pronouncing it). She also mentioned that since we had walked the Champlain Bridge last year (she's so close to Vermont!) that we should really go into Vermont this time. I happily agreed.
I packed my little bag and waved goodbye to the chaos that is New York City and ventured into the spacious world just hours away called the Adirondacks. The bus ride was long. The baby crying made it seem longer. But I played Candy Crush and dozed (and drooled) until I reached my destination. Albany. Where Carrie picked me up. We ate at an Albany restaurant called The Ginger Man. The service was really great. We caught up on the events of the last year and then headed out. A while back, she had mentioned that one of the cows on her family farm had given birth. She said that she named the cow after me and that when I came up again, I could pay the little calf a visit.
(I think Lorna the Cow likes me. Or my cardigan at least)
I saw a plethora of other animals as well. Pigs and goats and cows! It was fun. And they were no afraid to get up close which I found really surprising. And a little alarming for me. Lol.
(This little calf was all up in my armpit lol).
(Cows!)
(This pig had no shame in its dirty game lol).
(I believe these goats were so friendly because they believed we came with food. We did not.)
I've never been on a farm. At least not in recent memory. Maybe I've been to one as a child, but I doubt it took my breath away like Carrie's farm did. Maybe it's the mountains that did it. Or the solitude. Or the fact that I experienced this incredibly majestic and beautiful moment with a friendly horse that allowed my unworthy self to touch its beautiful mane. I don't know. All I know is that dusk was setting on her farm and I was in love with the whole experience. I didn't want it to end.
We spent the night at Carrie's place, eating junk food and watching Robin Williams movies (may that amazing man rest in peace). The first night we watched One Hour Photo. The creepiness of the movie still lingers. When I slept that night I dreamt of nothing. My mind was at peace. When I woke the next morning I felt renewed and ready for a new adventure. That adventure happened to be the Ausable Chasm. I was ready for it.
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