I overheard my wife and son talking in the car and my wife read this quote to him. They are both Tolkien fans. I am not but I loved the quote and thought it was a perfect fit for me to write about. It's funny what inspires us sometimes. Ringo Starr makes a slip of the tongue and John Lennon writes "A Hard Day's Night". I overhear someone talking and get an idea for a blog article. Does that put me at the same level as John Lennon? I wish..... My point is that you never know when or how you will be inspired but if you keep your eyes and ears open, good things will eventually come your way.
My Wandering
Now, on to the subject at hand. I love to wander and do so whenever I get a chance. Whether it is for 20 minutes at lunch or hours on a weekend morning, taking a new way back to the office after lunch or a leisurely bike ride, wandering about is great for the body, mind and soul. My wandering over the past couple years has taken me to several cemeteries, eight (8) county parks, two (2) state parks and a couple national recreation areas, all in New Jersey. I have explored beaches and woods, historic sites and places that are just fun to explore. Until now the wandering I have written about has been done on foot but I recently got a bicycle and hope to start riding again soon. The bike is great because I can cover so much more area on each excursion but it still affords me the luxury of taking everything in. The bike also allows me to carry more equipment with me, such as a tripod.
The Images
The photos included here are from several hikes that I have taken during my various excursions. Earlier I wrote that I love to wander but I didn't tell you why and I am sure that inquiring minds want to know. There is no single answer to that question - some times it is because I am not anxious to reach my destination (the long way back to the office) or maybe it's because I was curious as to what was on the other side of the hill and I had to explore. I think the main reason is that it gives me time to think, time to reflect on "the bigger picture" and time to attend to my spiritual, emotional and mental well-being. People spend a lot of money laying on a couch talking about their problems to someone and that's okay but it isn't for me. Some turn to their church (synagogue, temple, etc....) for solace and answers to their problems and that's okay, too. Me? I prefer walking around in the woods or finding a good fishing hole to wet my line and just let myself go. For me, there is no better way to recharge the batteries.
In closing
So remember, just because someone is seems to be wandering about aimlessly do not assume he is lost. It could be me looking for my next photo or a secluded spot to sit and reflect on life. Give it a try yourself and see if you don't agree how liberating it can be. My one suggestion is to make sure you have a map - I wouldn't want you to get lost....
All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com
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