Finding more than Peace at Innisfree Gardens~

As I sit sipping a warm cup of what I hope to be the first rays of sunshine this morning, I realize the cloudy, foggy, weather parallels my emotions. Words of comfort begin to gently speak to my inner conscious. “Be still, be quiet. Stop thinking so deeply. Let go of everything you are holding on to, ideals, people, and plans, all of it. Let go of who you think you are, who you think you want to be. It’s time to Just Be. Release, cleanse, heal.”

“Thank you Lord.” I whisper.

Taking a deep breath, the fog lifts and dissipates into the early morning light that is peering through my butter yellow curtains.

I need to go in search of a place that will impart a sense of peace on my soul, a place that will offer me something I am missing, maybe it’s something that I lost or perhaps never actually possessed. Remembering a conversation about Innisfree Gardens with a lovely woman named Maura that I recently met, I decide this is where I will head to today.

Gathering up my thoughts along with my empty cup of sunshine, I quickly shower and dress and set out on what begins to feel like an adventure. I program my google maps and drive off in silence. The further I drive, the more relaxed I become. Sinking a little further down into my driver’s seat I think to myself, “Just Be.”

Within forty-five minutes I am turning left down a one lane dirt road. The road only allows enough room for one vehicle, making it necessary for me to pull over several times to allow other visitors who are departing the gardens to pass by; I wonder if they are leaving with something more than they arrived with.

Armed with a bottle of water, my cell phone for taking pictures, and a desire to find what I am looking for, I start down the pebble path that opens up to a lake ornamented with water lilies. Remaining still, I take in my surroundings, knowing that I have just discovered a very special place. The feeling of wisdom that lie within the landscape makes itself known as I quiet myself a bit more before accepting the invitation to continue.

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Though there is a set route around the lake, I decide to veer off to explore pathways that lead up to other gardens. It’s feels as if I am traveling the world as I pass by a rain forest, an enchanted wood where I imagine fairies to live, and gorgeously manicured Chinese and Japanese gardens. There is a definite connection between myself and nature as each space transports me, evoking my senses, offering me an awareness of self and soothing my soul.

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Compelled to engage a little further I begin to touch the bark of the trees, brush my hands atop the tall garden grasses, and trace my fingers along the engravings in the stones and the deep grooves within the boulders.

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Spotting a mist of water kissing the blue sky, I take off feeling excited to find yet another treasure in this extraordinary place. A tall wooden shoot is offering this cool mist and I don’t hesitate to take part in what seems to be a celebration of sorts and allow it to shower over me. It sends me off with a rainbow to remind me where there is rain there is also sun. With each step my questions, self-imposed demands, anxieties, and fears begin to fade into the background of the serene scenery, “This is the place where I can, Just Be.”, I think out loud.

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Finding a bit of shade, I rest myself on a stone wall overlooking the lake. Gazing out I think how the beauty and wisdom of this place did not occur overnight. It has been in constant transition, not only from the hands of men but also the elements of nature. There is a lot to be learned from these gardens. The ebb and flow of life has helped to create the very person I am. It is up to me how I allow this to affect my life. I can view my circumstances as negative and create a downward cycle, or I can choose to just sustain and exist, or become enlightened, informed and flourish. It is just as simple as that, I must choose a path which will dictate the journey I take.

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Ready to press on, I follow what seems to become a more distinctive pathway leading to a bridge stretching across the lake where hundreds of water lilies have made their home. Kneeling down I sway my hand through the murky water. Being summoned to explore a little further, I gently pick up a water lily to find how firmly its roots are implanted into the bed of the lake- firmly implanted …. Another piece of wisdom offered, I think quietly.

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Coming to the end of the bridge, the terrain changes to a more familiar setting as the dirt hill leads into a forest and the air begins to feel cooler from the towering trees that are shading the ground below. I sense I am no longer alone. Each one of them is gently encouraging me to continue my search, not just here in the gardens, but in life. Their pine needles feel soft beneath my feet and cover the ground in a beautiful amber color. Settling myself on a flat rock alongside the lake, I can hear the sound of a water fountain spouting and I close my eyes for just a moment. I can’t be the only one that has come here in search of something; I am certain these gardens have soothed the souls of many just as they have soothed mine. Soft hues of pink look as if they are airbrushed throughout the sky, the sun is beginning to settle and I decide it is time for me to gather up my new found sense of being and carry it back to my world.

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I slowly find my way back to the car and reluctantly get in and start the ignition. I settle in for the drive back home in silence, not wanting to lose the wisdom Innisfree Gardens so generously shared with me.  There is no fast forward button in life. I have the choice of fighting against the process or I can allow the ebb and flow to encourage me along my path. I can listen to that small inner voice and the beating of my heart for guidance or I can continue making the same mistakes, chasing my tail in a circle.

No, there is no fast forward button to press and skip by the challenges, victories, and destinations life has in store for me. They are all meant to prepare me for the amazing future I have in store!  I need to, Just be.

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Live well~ xo

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A Summer Solstice Trail Run to Remember~

In my past posts I have mentioned how running helps me to see the beauty in the world. It has enhanced the perception of how I see, hear, and feel my surroundings. One has to be willing to receive what is being offered and give consent to the change it wants to make within you; I am more than willing. This trail run fit the bill in every sense of what I wanted to experience from a run and I was over the moon to have the opportunity. I read that these views were amongst the most beautiful in the world; something that no runner should miss. I was well aware of what I was in for, my frequent visits over the years prepared me for this and I was as excited as a kid on Christmas morning waiting to unwrap all the beautiful packages!

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 This awe inspiring trail run took place on my old stomping grounds, Minniewaska State Park; a place where I spent many weekends with friends swimming, hiking, eating, drinking, and enjoying life. This would become a new adventure that I was excited to add my to portfolio of Minniewaska memories and experiences!

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Since this race had a 6:30pm start time, I decided it was best to take a half day from work to prep myself to make sure I was hydrated and fueled thoroughly. Unfortunately one of my favorite run buddies was not able to make it, but she was kind enough to sign over her registration to a new run buddy I met at work and he was kind enough to except the invitation.

I was so concerned that the 350+ registered racers would create a huge hindrance entering into the park so I made sure to get there extra early. Our 5pm arrival allowed us a smooth entry way into the park and gave ample time to fuel, relax, and use the porta potties- several times prior to start off.

As we were called and corralled into place, my excitement began to heighten. Brett (my work run buddy) and I made our way through the masses; we wanted to be as far back of the pack as possible.

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3-2-1…..GOOOO!!!!!!!… Cough..Cough…Cough!! It was as if we were amidst a cattle stampede. The fine dirt that the 350+ runners stampeded upon became a cloud of dust that rose up and around us. It finally settled as we began to ascend up the mountain into higher elevations.

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We climbed the winding carriage trail for 3.5 miles, the cool mountain air was soon a mere memory as my body temperature rose along with the elevation. The blooming Mountain Laurel welcomed us and wished us well as we trekked up the trail. My objective for this race was purely to take in all these mountains had to offer. Around each curve of the trail there seemed to be an outlook point and I stopped at every one of them- took a picture, inhaled deeply and graciously accepted its gift of beauty.

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I took off to catch up to Brett; I believe his objective was to finish without a break in his slow and steady pace. My dad always said, “slow and steady wins the race.”

I finally reached Castle Point, the peak of this 14K trail run.

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WOW! Sometimes it is difficult to put into words what something so breathtaking makes you feel…. let me try. As I stood on the cliff and looked out, it was as if I was suddenly all alone- just me, the valley, its vastness and Lake Awosting lying in the center of a thick forest of pine. Here is one of those moments I described above when you have to be open- dare I use the word vulnerable, to what the world and life is offering and the changes it wants to make within you. It would have been real easy to distract myself with keeping time and pace but I chose to stop and listen and feel that moment. This moment- this valley, reminded me how strong I am and that there is a world out there waiting for me to put my mark on it. It told me not to change one thing about who I am, what I want from life, my dreams and desires. It reminded me that it won’t be an easy journey but if I want it bad enough, it is mine for the taking. Yes, I heard all of that from this valley and from that one moment that I chose to stop and listen.

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It was time to pull myself away from this momentous view and continue on to find what else awaited me. Again I kicked it into high gear and raced down the winding trail to try to catch up to Brett. The decent made it all the easier to run at top speed but the constant flux in pace had now given me a cramp in my side; I had to pull back just a bit. I then realized it was imperative for me to veer off the trail and make a quick pit stop into the woods. My bladder was sending me consistent warning signs that I finally decided to heed.  As I looked for a private place within the forest I prayed that I would not be stomping upon a patch of poison ivy; that was not part of the experience I was looking to take from this Summer Solstice run! After I became one with my surroundings I took off down the trail; I reminded myself why I was here and slowed my pace down. I was now about three quarters of the way to the finish line. I turned a corner and once again the backdrop was set just perfectly as act three began to unfold.  The cliff that jetted out over the trail looked majestic wrapped in the bright blue sky. As I ran under it I couldn’t help to think about all it has weathered throughout the years, each striation must have a tale to tell and hold many secrets of the past- present – and maybe even the future.

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The stitch in my side finally subsided as I fell into a nice steady pace. I decided to try to make up some time now that the sun was setting; the serenity of the cool, lush forest encouraged me on to the finish line. Even though my pace felt comfortable, my body was feeling quite taxed. I was ready for this run to be done and eager to cross that finish line.

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I could hear cheering ahead; the finale of this summer’s solstice was coming to an end. I instinctively sped up, I had just enough oomph to cross the finish line! “Oh- My- Gosh, NO! I can’t do it!” There up ahead was a steep incline right before the flat finish. I turned left and began to climb the daunting, ridiculous incline. I was passing other runners who had become mere prey to this divergence and resorted to walking. Despite its taunting, I ran, I pushed my body beyond where it wanted to be.  People standing at the very top encouraged us to keep running. I refused to allow this obstacle to impede on my perseverance to finish this race giving it all I had. I didn’t need to be still this time to hear and feel what these mountains were chanting to me. “It’s not going to be easy, if you want it bad enough you are going to have to give it your all. You have to push your way to the top. Don’t stop – don’t give up- accept the challenge. Just beyond this grueling hurdle is the prize and it’s worth the fight!” And I did just that, fought my way to the top and ran as fast as my exhausted body would run onto and across the finish line, another race in the books and another remarkable experience to add to my Minniewaska portfolio.

After I regained my consciousness, I made my way over to the refueling center. There were several tables full of watermelon and other assorted fruits, Oreos, bagels, etc. I decided on small a piece watermelon; I find it hard to eat after running so hard. I heard my name being called, it was my friend Mary! Another wonderful person I have connected with through my love of running.

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I realized I had missed out on the hand towels with the Summer Solstice logo on them, they were being handed out at the finish line, I ran back to claim one. The cool night air felt wonderful as we watched those who were awarded for their speed. They claimed prizes of  homemade baked breads and certificates for free registration to up-coming races.

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It was time to say goodbye to Minniewaska and the Summer Solstice. We made our way back to the car and down the mountain, back into the world below where it is a little more difficult to quiet yourself enough to listen to what life might be whispering to you. I will be back soon Minniewaska Mountains!

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Live well ~ xo

Maureen

 

 

 

 

 

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