I had this weekend off, my one weekend a month that I don’t work, so it is nice if it turns out well. My nephew Ben Glover had a last minute idea to meet up about half way between us to hang out. Brilliant! Why not? It’s not like I was supposed to be working on anything, like writing something like this, connecting with others in the blogosphere, planning the umpteen different things I need to be doing or finding out who my true audience is in the end. So I threw my cares to the wind with some much needed time off, after this last week’s epic failure to get much accomplished I felt some recharge was needed.
I drove to meet at our appointed time and location, a cheapish motel near all of the planned activities. Within a fifteen minute drive we could hit three disc golf courses, bingo. I have to say I wasn’t expecting much from the courses but I was very pleasantly surprised. The first course we played was really really nice; shaded for the most part but not too wooded to make throwing impossible. There was a good mix of elevation changes, short and long holes with woods and open fields; perfect. The temperature was also fantastic and very little wind but for a light breeze to cool us down. We were getting some requisite exercise, fresh air and fun. Our timing, luck and some stars aligning seemed to have conjured up a weekend that is rare indeed.
If that wasn’t enough, things became strange indeed but in an even better way. About half way through the first course we walk around a tree and there is an immature Red Tail Hawk, I believe, about thirty feet away. I fumble for my phone knowing it will fly away before I have a chance to get a picture. Surprisingly, the hawk couldn’t have cared less two humans came up to it in close proximity, talking and trying to get phones out of packs. We took photos. We walked closer and closer. We took video and we finally ended up about ten feet away. It was awesome to get this close to something you generally will only see from a great distance. I was slightly worried this raptor my fly over and claw our eyes out, thankfully this never happened. Finally it flew off and we had a tremendous addition to our day.
Continuing on with our amazement and euphoric high we came to an area with a large population of red fox squirrels, once again they didn’t have a care in the world for us. In parks, that is not so uncommon that they pretty much ignore the pesky homo-sapiens playing their silly games. Now after our previous encounter I thought I’d test our luck, I brought out the phone I was keeping handier in my shorts and I started filming the cute fellow. Once again we walked closer and closer while he was having a healthy snack of nuts. The squirrel would just slightly cock his head to the side while chomping away almost like he couldn’t see us but maybe hear us. If squirrels have expressions, this one was priceless.
The day was full of small and large wonders and I really imagined we entered some protected land, just like in the Twilight Zone where people find themselves in some weird alternate reality. We were one with nature. We were having a perfect day and maybe the animals themselves could sense there was something special in the air. Indeed there was, so many things to be thankful for in such a short amount of time. Thank you Ben; for suggesting this outing, it was awesome. Thank you weather; for cooperating perfectly during our time out. A big thank you to the squirrels and the hawk for letting us enjoy your company for a brief moment. All I have to say is that we all need days like this and I hope each and every one of you experience some magic. Find your garden whether it be an Eden, a secret one or just a place you can escape to with those who make is special.