On a summer's day, I was walking along Coxwell Avenue. There was a long stretch of
grass and a small area which I never seen before. Midway down the street under the path was a
pipe that emptied onto the ground. I
heard a noise and stopped to see what was busily working there. I saw a groundhog drinking water. I quietly crouched down low so that I didn’t
frighten it. It had no care in the world
while it enjoyed the water and lifted its head once or twice. It was completely peaceful until someone
walked by me. The groundhog ran for
cover and I walked away.
I continued on my journey to the lake. At the foot of Coxwell Avenue there was a
small water area for boats to dock. In
the middle was a swan. I kneeled by the
rocks and whispered to the swan to come to me.
I’m not sure what I was thinking because it swam closer and then I
remember that swans like their personal space and can get angry. I said, “I don’t have anything for you I just
wanted to look at you.” It probably didn’t
even hear me but it stopped and plunged its head in the water. I was extremely close to the swan and I observed
it. How awesome to be near a bird that
wasn’t afraid of me? The swan finally
swam away and I bid it farewell.
How could my walk top that experience? Well, I decided to
wander to the sandy beach. I walked
barefoot on the hot sand. Ouch, ouch, okay, I was hopping across the sand. I stopped at the edge of the water and squished
my toes in the wet sand. The water
rolled over the tops of my toes and then my feet. It was refreshing to feel the cool water. I started kicking the mud up and out towards
the water each time the waves covered my feet with soothing mud. I tossed my shoes behind me and rolled up my
jeans to my knees.
I splashed and jumped in the waves. Then I leaned over and
dipped my fuzzy, curly hair in the water. I flipped it and water dripped down
my back. It was colder on my neck then
on my feet. There were a few clouds in the sky and they
seemed to dance infront of the sun but never for too long. Within moments, I watched seagulls
catch small fish in the shallow waters.
Little insects were swarming in varies areas along the edge of the
water.
I raised my arms in the air pretending to soar with the
seagulls. They seemed to fly over my
head and I sang to them. They sang
back. I felt the pebbles under my feet
and I pushed them aside as I dug my feet into the sand under the water. I wanted to feel earth, air and water at the
same time. Children on the beach were
throwing pebbles and skipping stones.
Dogs were off leash and running across the edge of the water. Some dogs came up to smell my hands before passing
me. I continued to play within the
elements of the day’s sun. The gentle
wind pushed the waves further on to the beach.
I had my full and decided it was time to head home. I came out of the water and wiped my feet with
my hands. I finally put my shoes
on. I rolled my jeans down and walked toward
the boardwalk. Along the boardwalk are a
number of large trees and I slowly passed them touching their bark while thanking
them for the shade.
I stopped on the grass and stayed for a few minutes longer. I
felt an urge to dance, to freely jump, turn and glide on the ground. My time was not up I could still enjoy nature. Every squirrel seemed to stop and look. The birds seemed to notice as I continued to
dance. I needed to have a drink and I
finished my bottle of water. It WAS time
for me to go. Afterwards, I jumped on the bus. My visit with nature was
over until next time.
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