Joie de vivre

Saturday I decided it was time to take some time for myself. After closing up the library at noon, I had lunch at the brand new coffee shop just down the street. Finally, my town has one of those quaint little European places with cappuccino-brown walls and wrought iron tables where you can sit as long as you please, feasting happily on soup or bread or pastries or icecream...or coffee of all types. I am so happy. The coffee is wonderful; no more having to drive 60 miles to find a latte or macchiato! And the place is decorated so beautifully: a perfect little place to sit and read or write. I plan to keep them in business with my frequent patronage.

And then I was like melyndie and discovered a place right in my backyard that few people seem to know about. I spent a little more than an hour hiking on a nature trail just a few miles from the library. It's amazing to find such a secluded area almost in the middle of town.

I started out on a nice wide, level path surrounded by tall straight trees. It was perfect for walking or jogging.

I saw Large Trees and felt quite dwarfed.

Despite being the middle of winter, there was color to be found: red berries

and white trees!

My shadow was feeling silly and felt like waving to the world.

I came upon an unexpected river and thought it a good opportunity to try out my new gumby tripod (thanks for 'making' me buy it, Melinda!)

Uh oh! Two roads diverged in a wood; which one should I take? The path, or the bridge?

I took the one less traveled (possibly): the bridge, so that I might lie on my stomach and take a picture of my waving reflection in the water.

And this has nothing to do with hiking: Sunday was a Bad Hair Day and so I put it up and tucked roses in...and it became a Good Hair Day. Voila!

The time away from work and worry did wonders. I feel quite revujanated.