My wife had to bake 22 pies for a church fellowship meal, she told me Thurs night..."your going to have to stay out of my way tomorrow, I'm going to be very busy"!

nooooo, problem....consider me gone.

Got up early Fri morning grabbed my bow and headed for the rothrock state forest. Spent all day poking around up on Tussey mt. I saw more oak saplings than I have in a while, It was thick with them. Good example of forest regeneration. Didn't see a deer, but did see a fair amount of sign.

Was a cold, cloudy windy day with occasional snow flurries. I was sitting on the last bench, far out across the Rothrock I could see a mt the whole side of it was lit up in sunshine.

I mused....Funny I'm sitting here under clouds and flurries, somebody is probably sitting way over there basking in the sun.

Even more mind stimulating....

I'm sitting here on the top of a mt all alone in the middle of nowhere, and some guy is probably hustling down a crowded street in NY city carrying a briefcase.

And even more deep...

Regardless of what our status, education, or career, or measure is.....Him and I had the same beginning, and we will have the same end.

I looked out across the mts, some of them dappled in sunshine and light, others gray blue in the distance. A gang was driving a distant mt far away, Barely audible shouts growing loud and faint as the terrain of the mountains magnified then muffled. A common sound in PA forest during gun season. I've heard it on separate day's and I kinda like it.

I leaned back against a log, took a bite from an apple, closed my eyes and concentrated on the flavor.

And right then.

The wind, the cold....the aloneness of the mountains...the sights the sounds, flooded up into an emotion that can't be put into words....but has a very humbling effect.

I put my gear in the truck that evening with barely any light left. I looked back up at the mt, its dark form rising high above me.

Today's success was not measured by a deer in the back of the truck.

Todays success was in thought, in mental conditioning and revival, i'll be a much better man from it.

Humbling.

Shade glad you had such an experience glad you shared with us we are truly blessed. Rick

Good post, thanks

Most people don't understand that this is a big part of being a hunter. The older you get, this becomes more and more important. MP

You and many of us are Blessed for these times, whether is just a moment, an hour, a day or a week in God's wonderous creation . . . it is very humbling!

Thanks for sharing and God Bless, Michael

Nice. And that's why I don't like to sit in blinds

My favorite line from this one is:

Regardless of what our status, education, or career, or measure is.....Him and I had the same beginning, and we will have the same end.

its a great part of life. I hunt alone a lot and stay out for days just exploring the woods. its the real reason I still hunt. my wife is always ask me if I get tiered of sitting out there I just smile and say never.

Very profound and moving. Thanks for sharing. I won't tell you what I was doing at the same time except that it was no comparison to your experience. Lance.

Fantastic post, thank you for putting the day into the best perspective

Nice Steve. Now tell me more about all those pies. 8^)

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap [their] hands. - Isaiah 55:12

Thanks for the thoughts and post Shade. Often enjoy your posts and replies.

When baking for the Church I'm usually the gopher as my wife sits on a short stool 'cause she can't stand but for a short time without her legs hurting. She loves to cook. My old long nosed hound dog, Roger, is Sue Chef and head floor cleaner. Our other old hound, Mimi, waits below the table as backup, but those dogs and I all wish we were out there. So great you shared your experience.

Lol..She did make 24 then George, Apple, Cherry, coconut crème and blueberry. saving two for at home here. A cherry and a Blueberry.

Humility didn't stop me from helping myself to some.

Well said Steve....I truly love the autumn woods and I love the progression of autumn into winter. There is nearly no other place I would rather be.

DarrinG....

I'd like to build another a bow for myself this winter.

That would be a fitting inscription to put on it.

Well said and glad to know there are others out there that feel the same.

Steve, that was an introspective post, and that's a good day indeed. I wish they were all like that.

Same beginning. Same end. It's what we do with the time we're afforded in between that matters. We should spend as much of it wisely as we can.

Good post, It's all not about the kill.

Enjoyed, thanks for posting. So many just don't understand.

Good thoughts from a good day afield.

One of my favorite thoughts during a good day hunting is; "I wonder what the poor people are doing today." I never feel more alive or worthwhile than when I am alone in nature.

Great post

Thanks for that sir.

Very nice post!

Steve, you should be a published author, you have the talent! Thanks, newt

Very well put. Thanks for sharing.

Awesome Shade, what a great day. Thanks for that. If I may elaborate here on your post, I had one too, alone on a snowy mt., just me and a forkie. ::) Gave him a pass. Last day, see ya next year, bud. Close encounter at 7 yds. What perspective!

You summed it up perfectly.

You had me when she said she was going to be very busy.

Nice to see someone able to put words to an experience I'm sure many of us have had. Well written sir,I hope you have many more days afield such as this one.

Beautiful words, Shade. Thanks for sharing.

I thought this was going to be another post about how difficult archery is and how it is time to start aiming.

But you surprised me. Rather, your "gear" was a vehicle to bring you to a place where you could explore your emotions.

Pretty nice. Thanks

Jawge

yum, pie :)

That was profound..Shade. It seems you are following The admonition from the book of Micah.. ..that what is required of mortal man is... .. To do justice, Love kindness, and walk humbly. Sandy

Now that was a great post

I really enjoyed reading this.....thank you.

That was excellent! Thank you very much! Matthew

Here you go Shade...From Saxton Pope. The Adventurous Bowman:

The long, delicious trails and mountain paths are yours;

The ecstacy of cool runnning streams I give you freely when athirst.

And last of all, I leave to you the thrill of life and the joy of youth that throbs a moment in a well-bent bow, then leaps forth in the flight of an arrow.

Well said. Being out on the trails, being able to observe your surroundings often puts me in such a mood. enjoyed the post.

"your going to have to stay out of my way tomorrow, I'm going to be very busy"!

I can't think of too many other things in this world that a woman could say that ring so sweetly in the ears of men. You're a blessed man! (How'd ya do it??)

Beautiful!I've had those feelings,but not able to put it in words like you did.

That was a well written synopsis of a day on a mountain...I, feel the same way, as I wander the Adirondacks here at home. Introspective indeed. I often think what it will be like when I can no longer wander at will, and how much longer will my legs carry me up onto the ridges...the evening, back at camp, truck or home, lets you stop and smile inside, and relive the days unfoldings...I do it quite often.

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