A Walk in the Woods is Good for Everything

We planned to continue our vacation by driving from Western Pennsylvania to Indiana for Labor Day weekend. After visiting relatives in Indiana we would return home to Florida.

​But, Hurricane Dorian arrived and changed our plans.

If the storm cut across Florida as shown in early tracking models, we could get stuck in Nashville. We'd be far from home with few options. If we skipped Indiana, we would reach home in time to prep for the storm.

Thursday morning our stomachs ached along with every other Florida resident. We decided to head home ASAP.

Before we left Pennsylvania, we took a long hike in the woods for some personal calm before the storm.

​During our hike we met some dogs and their owners. We saw a red fox, birds, and lots of green space, and water. 

​Here are a few of the views that soothed us. 

Down we go into the hollow. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Late season daisies. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

I love the moss and ferns found in a woods. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Up and down. Up and down. There are lots of rocks and clay around here. It's so different from the sandy soil in Florida. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

This green grouping of moss on old logs caught my eye. Love it! (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Water weeds! As kids we searched for the seed pods and popped them — making sure there would be plenty more water weeds! (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

How about that lighting? There's nothing as calming as the sunlight through the trees at the bottom of the hollow. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

We don't have mushrooms and ferns like this on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Maybe there are some in the Ocala National Forest? (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

The creek wasn't full due to a lack of rain. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

The final hike was up this rocky hillside back to the park entrance. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

At the start of each Summer the neighborhood kids would build a stone pathway across the creek. Many years ago, the only thing on the other side of the creek was a bull in a field. Now, there are baseball fields, hiking trails, picnic pavilions, and more. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

​I've live away from here twice as long as I lived here. Yet, no matter how long I'm away, a walk through this woods always makes me feel at home.

It was a good workout with the hilly terrain, and a fine way to soothe our nerves before we jumped in the car for a long drive to the other place we call home.
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P.S. The storm damaged the Bahamas before turning away from the mainland. We rushed back to be near our kids and protect our homestead. Lucky for us and most of Florida, the hurricane seems headed out to sea. Our fingers are crossed hoping Dorian continues on his path away from the East Coast.