Have you been wondering where the 2nd part of this 3-part journey is going next? Well let’s pick up where we left off….
If you recall, I was walking to the back end of the Rackliffe house to a sign that looked like the start of another trail. This trail was leading me away from the openness of the Bay and into the secluded woods. When I walked toward the woods, I met up with a trail sign that said “Rackliffe Trail Map”. I can see that the house is marked by a push pin marker and there is an end point to the trail to a star marked Aviary. How cool it would be to view some birds I may not get to see up close, plus I love forests!!!
As I started down the path, I was again transported into a forest path that was heavy with pine needles on the floor. I could hear the crunch under my shoes and smell the pine needles as my foot broke into each needle allowing the pine scent to come wafting up. Nothing smells as nice as a pine forest. The sound is soft and soothing and the smells transport you to another world
I soon passed a pond with a bench and an information board as to what kind of animals could possible be making its home there. It was so serene. Again, I was blessed with no people on the path nor any voices I could discern through the trees.
It was me, the trees and any animals that happened to be watching me.
I walked past the sign, moved around the bench and found my way to the ponds edge. I usually have a very sharp eye and see things hidden in the brush. Where are you dear turtles? I was in search of at least one of the turtles the sign said made their home there, but I could not find a one. Ah well, maybe another day!
I continued on the path and again felt like I was in an open chapel with the ceiling lifted off and the high walls of the church lined with pine trees and so many pine needles for my carpet. The forest was divine. With the pine aromatherapy surrounding me and the swaying of the wind moving softly through the branches, I felt there was a magical tune whispering to me… saying "welcome to our home and enjoy what we are giving to you……"
I moved slowly as in a trance...allowing myself to be lifted upward to the top of the trees.
When I lowered my eyes, I could see to my left something up ahead, but I could not yet make it out.
The trail led me to a junction, luring me to go deeper into the woods. I could see a small bridge that allowed the visitor to cross the wide stream to the other side where the path continued to the Aviary building. I decided to try this path as it took me deeper into the pine forest.
At the bridge, I stopped and took pictures of the water. The sunlight was at just the right angle to create magical colors on the water top. Mystical illusions simmering below the waters surface…. Worlds within worlds…...
Moving ever forward, I came upon an arrow stating “Aviary 1,150 feet”. I was rewarded with more streams and waterways deep in the forest, and I wondered what animals these streams are giving food, water and protection to, and I thanked the forest for being a sanctuary for God’s creatures.
With the branches being somewhat bare, I could imagine the birds flying around in this grand playground. There was a woodpecker nearby, and another bird calling. I must admit, when it comes to bird sounds, I am somewhat ignorant of the calls. I can pick out an obvious owl call, a doves coo or a woodpecker knocking on the trees, but other than that, I just listen to the whistles and warbles. The melodies of these birds all having dialogue at the same time, sounds like I’m in a diner with the laughter, crying, and conversations you can just pick up if you pay attention. I wonder if birds of different species can understand each other? Hmm….
I can see as I continue walking the path, it is opening up behind some buildings, and I know I am nearing the Aviary house. As I get closer, I realize there was no sign, arrow or marker that said “here I am”, so I went to the front of a building that looked promising.
I did not see or hear any birds, but thought maybe I would see them in the Aviary,
so I hurried to the front.
To my chagrin, it was closed and I could see nothing. I walked around the house to see if I could see in. The high prison like fence around the building told me there was no way I was getting a sneak peek!
Oh well, this is a trip for another day.
I again set off down the path to continue my adventure and immediately found myself back on my old friend the forest path that was covered with, can you guess?........yep, dead pine needles. I was again rewarded with that soft crunch sound under my sneakers. Forest paths always make me feel like I am being wrapped in a blanket of protection. This forest left me feeling no different.
There was a beautiful stream on one side of me that I could see clearly....its movement were so faint, I wondered if I imagined it. The sky was a beautiful cyan blue and so clear. Not a cloud in sight in the sky, which made the blues, browns and greens of the forest seem to be taken straight from a Crayola box.
I soon came upon another marker for the Rackliffe Trail I was on, and may I say, so grateful for all these markers.
I could see on the map, that there was one more trail that would take me back to the Assateague Visitor Center. To finish this adventure, I proceeded to follow the signs back. I was thinking of how beautiful the forest chapels I had walked through left me feeling- like I had been through a mini-transformation - a labyrinth energy. At the beginning of this chapel maze, you walk in carrying your worries, burdens and concerns and when you come to the end of the forest chapel, you feel rejuvenated, peaceful and a bit lighter. This is when you realize, unknowingly at first, that you have been given a blessing by mother nature. She does this unconditionally to all those who come into her, and that is God's gift to us.
Each and every time I go into a forest with my heart and spirit open, I am renewed and refreshed. I thought about how blessed I felt and how amazing the energy had been from the forest and the gift of lightness, happiness and peace it imparted to me. I was grateful I found this new trail that left me so inspired and fueled me back up with an abundance of love.
Every trail I have been on throughout my travels both near and far, have all felt so subtly different. The energy of the trees and of the hundreds of people that have walked before me on these paths, all leave their own unique “energy imprint” in that area. That “imprint” is felt by every soul that walks through it and imparts itself in our energy field.
I know if my being needs a certain kind of energy for healing or balancing, I am called intuitively to a specific trail or space to recharge myself. I have learned to trust these callings, as I am always rewarded with more than I could have imagined.
As I was pondering these things in a wondrous daze, I looked up and realized I had made it to the parking lot, and my truck was up ahead. My time here had come to an end....or so I thought. It was another amazing adventure. I got back into my truck and started to proceed to the entrance/exit of the parking lot. I could see the bridge to cross the bay. On my right was the road to take me to Assateague State Park where the beach lay, and on my left was the road to take me home. I intuitively felt my journey had not quite come to the ending I had thought.
Instead of going home, I found my car turning right to drive to the ocean. I was not upset at all, as I love the smell, shells and sounds of the beach. I knew this would be a wonderful way to end my journey today- walking on the shifting sands between my toes and the wind flowing over me.
When I was crossing the bridge, I saw faintly to my left, a pier jutting out of the bay that appeared to be coming off the peninsula where scrub and brush were thick. How beautiful it would be to go out on that pier and look out.
I continued driving and was making my way to the entrance to the State Park, I turned slightly to my left and saw a trail made by tire tracks in the sand, but there was two poles and a telephone line like cord over the entrance saying “cars prohibited”. It didn’t say anything about walking enthusiasts and I knew I needed to walk down this path. I wondered if this was the path to that pier and could I get there on this trail. I had never been on this path, nor did I know where it would take me.
I parked my car in the State Park parking lot and proceeded to walk to the poles…and that my friends will be part 3 of this final journey to my wanderings that day………I'll see you on the last leg of this journey....I promise it will be worth the wait!
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