ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM

 Social distancing was introduced into the mainstream vocabulary over  the past ten months...but concept has been actively pursued and enjoyed by people who love to hike for as long as there have been trails to explore.  In 2020, my hiking boots traversed more trail than in any other year...just about 200 miles in total.  Those hiking miles due, in one part, to a pandemic and the want (and need) to be out in nature and, in another part, a personal goal that I had set for myself.   According to my Garmin stats, I have (up to this point in 2020) logged 40 hiking activities.  Math isn't my strong point...but that averages about 5 miles per hike. I'm pretty proud of that.  Looking back on the past year...I'm also pretty proud of these ten particular hikes.  Thank you to my friends and family who accompanied me on these adventures.  I hope that we continue to make some foot traffic together in the new year.  Enjoy. FAMILY AND FRIENDS HIK...

Life is hectic and oftentimes overwhelming.  But if 2020 has taught us anything....it's that sometimes we need to pause and appreciate the good that is all around us.  As imperative as it is that we focus our attention on the trail or road in front of us...it is also just as beneficial to slow down and take in the natural world that surrounds us.  With all of the challenges that every single one of us have faced this past year, taking a moment to appreciate all that is good on planet Earth can be quite rewarding...mentally, physically, and spiritually.  To quote a famous movie..."Life moves pretty fast.  If you don't stop and look around you might miss it." What follows is a series my favorite pictures that I captured in 2020....each taken at a moment of time when I paused and took time to look around do a little sightseeing.  Enjoy! This spectacular view of Michaux State Forest can be found a few hundred yards from the where Blueberry Trail and Dead Woman...