“Complete freedom is not what a trail offers. Quite the opposite; a trail is a tactful reduction of options.” ― Robert Moor
How is it already the middle of June? For many, this means summer is here, and for those who live in the Southern Hemisphere, winter has officially begun.
June is Great Outdoors Month! This week’s sub-theme is “paths and trails.”
Just to be clear…
A trail is an unpaved path, like the narrow trail you follow through the woods on your hike. A trail can also be a series of clues that are left behind, also forming a kind of path. SOURCE
Semantics aside, share with us this week your favorite paths or trails. Please be creative with the use of the words Path and/or Trail. Both words can be used metaphorically.
My Favorite Local Trails and Paths
I am blessed to live near forest paths here in Eastern Washington. Within a half mile of my front porch are a series of paths into the forest. June is lovely as alpine lupine grows wild along the paths.
“On this path let the heart be your guide.” – Rumi
However, in rural areas, one must literally tread carefully. Otherwise, you may be trespassing on private property. Both images show what is now private property within walking distance of where we live. This path is now fenced off, and the owner WILL come at you with his gun!
Not to be deterred, we can access the Centennial Trail from Riverside State Park (Washington State Parks), just a few miles away by vehicle. It offers over 50 miles of paved trails for walking or biking. Some parts of the trail are even groomed in the winter for snowshoeing! Parts of the trail have doggie-bag kiosks.
Trails Out and About
“Just because my path is different doesn’t mean I’m lost.” – Gerard Abrams
Whenever we travel, we look for safe places to walk and hike with our dog. We stayed in Dillon, in southwest Montana, during our last two days of our Arizona road trip. Not far from our hotel were residential streets that led to paved walking trails. The trails provided access to public parks and a golf course.
We’ve also enjoyed other trips which included visiting Multnomah Falls near Portland, Oregon…
…and endless trails within the Valley of Fire State Park near Las Vegas, Nevada.
Sadly, as more homes and large subdivisions are built, more wild animals are being displaced. This forces them to explore suburban pathways for food and water. I spotted this handsome coyote in Cave Creek, Arizona, steps away from a restaurant, on his new path.
“The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Trails Dedicated to Fitness
Our local Centennial Trail is a wonderful place for walking, biking, and hiking. I also lived nine minutes by bicycle from the American River Bike Trail in Sacramento for over 30 years. Good times!
“Does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker?” – Garth Nix
Sunday Stills Photo Challenge Reminders
The Sunday Stills weekly-themed photo challenge is easy to join. You have all week to share and link your post. Please use your own original images, whether new or from your archives.
- Remember to title your blog post a little differently from mine.
- Please create a new post for the theme or link to a recent one.
- Entries for this theme can be posted all week.
- Tag your post “Sunday Stills.”
- Don’t forget to create a pingback to this post so that other participants can read your post.
- I also recommend adding your post’s URL to the comments.
Sharing for Johnbo’s Cellpic Sunday and Jo’s Monday Walk.
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, granddads, nephews, sons, and uncles! I miss you, DAD!
“Nothing teaches a man like his trails.” ― Lailah Gifty Akita
I can’t wait to see how you interpret this week’s theme! Creativity is encouraged, so please share your own photographs (old or new), poems, original short stories, and music inspired by the theme. Join me next week as we celebrate the Solstice with Sunrises and Sunsets in the Great Outdoors.
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