Papa’s Path

On a warm Autumn day my father giddily wielded a pair of branch loppers and beat me to the Shadow Wood. Before I knew it, he had forged a path.

We had not yet been able to explore what lay beyond our back yard because the underbrush was so thick and foreboding. The decision had been made to wait until Fall for things to die back a bit so we could safely tread through the vines, seedlings and huge rocks without getting hurt.

The kids and I were enthralled. Within the Wood the temperature drops dramatically and the dappled sunlight dances on the lush landscape. My dad was like a kid in a candy store. He grinned so big as he showed us the way through and the markers he had placed along the way.

As in all things concerning nature, photos can never do it justice. But I’ll sure have fun trying…

English Ivy, over a foot deep, covered the entirety of the Wood. I won’t dwell on the fact that I had just spent fifty dollars on English Ivy and planted it throughout my front flower beds because I had NO IDEA what was back there. If you need any ivy, just holler.

This rock is over three feet tall and at least ten feet long. There are many like it in the woods that create natural spots for sitting and enjoying the sights and sounds of this mysterious space.

Moss grows everywhere, especially on fallen trees and limbs. The detail is beautiful. Elfin. Magical.

This tree is enormous. It stands just before a fence we discovered that must have been here for many years. Instead of fenceposts, the barbed wire is nailed to a line of small trees. The creek lies just beyond and down a steep incline, which explains the need for the fence when this land was used for farming.

My daughter, Haven, enjoying the adventure of climbing and exploring the Shadow Wood. Isn’t she lovely?

My Father and Mother. Dad was in his element in the woods. Mom? Not so much. I now know where I get my sense of adventure 🙂 But, at least we got her back there to see the beauty. Until we build a solid path that doesn’t involve stepping over vines she will stay back at the house, thank you very much.

We have dreams for the Shadow Wood. A barn, maybe? Lanterns in the trees? What about a tiny quiet cabin or a spot for camping? My goodness, I love it here at Arundelle Green.