Turtle's Creed

A poem, Yes, by William Stafford fits my interpretation of the turtle rising from the green soup to lounge, head lifted toward the sun. 'It could happen any time."

The Green Mystery

At some time, it looks like the landowners diverted the Ramapo River to feed a short canal. I haven't researched the why; perhaps it was to provide water access to the falling building that remains. Over time the canal was blocked at one end and now every summer green slime covers the water. Walking by the green pond to get to the better hiking areas I often hear the frogs, but they are invisible. This week we witnessed two great species, frogs and turtles. I'm renaming it 'FnT pond.'


A woman came up to us and enthusiastically asked, 'have you seen the turtles on the log?!' It took a moment but there were plenty of Turtles sunning. Click on the picture to enlarge and count them- there are 9, from small to the largest pond turtle I've seen- the one on log to the left. Next time I walk through here I'll continue to be on turtle patrol, adding to the relevant research on turtle behavior and sociological aspects of the species.

So Much Rain

When I was in my mid teens my family built a house in Northeast Pennsylvania. It was the house built on the rock. My father had many talents and he applied them in this 5 year project. In year one, we planned to build the walls and raise the roof during Dad's 2 week vacation. The rain this June reminds me of that house building time- where it rained every day straight for the two week vacation.

It's different now. Instead of sleeping in a wet and damp sleeping bag I can watch from the dry indoors. I have plenty to do so I'm not affected by dry or wet, except that I can now look at the weather radar for the next approaching thunderstorm. I watch the bright greens of the leaves and how the forest fills in its canopy.

And once in awhile the sun comes out. The Ramapo River is much higher than normal, even higher than in Spring. It's not flood stage but from my pictures I have a reference point on a one rock and the water is up 8 inches from May, and that makes the currents and vortexes even more visible and complex to watch.

Wind and Waves

Emerson spoke about being in the woods, of the metaphor of Nature to describe the Divine and the infinite. I have experiences of the infinite when I'm in the woods, and also when I'm on the water. A boat under sail, on an angle, wind full in the sail, overlooking broad horizons and the wind and sun touching your skin are all reminders of Nature. It's time to plan a trip.

Which Path Today

The drive is only 10 minutes. I arrive in the parking lot, travel coffee mug and camera with me and now faced with a decision. There are three (really more) great paths. All begin by going over the bridge. After the bridge- if I go right I take the walk around the lake. The spring greens (or the colorful fall leaves) reflect off the water along with the bright blue sky dotted with jet engine condensation streams. This is a flat trail, beautiful and reflective. After the bridge- if I go straight I take the mountain hike using the road or a trail to get to the upper lake or the granite vistas. The road traverses and has great views of the creek, lake and from the top a great view of the Ramapo Mountains and college below. After the bridge- going left I follow the river. Heading south walking in the direction the water flows I watch the shore, the river, the swirls moving. Green forest to my right, the river and shore to the left. Most recently it's all been about the River trail.

The Interface

There is water. There is the river bed. There is the river edge and there is the air. All interface with each other. At the interface is where the apparent disturbance occurs. At the interface is the vortex. This river knows only to flow toward the South. It passes no judgment about the rocks or shoreline or the air it touches. It flows. If at any time it sees turbulence, it suitably shifts, knowing its greater purpose. You can live life in solitude, minimizing interaction at the interfaces or you can see the orchestration of activity at the interfaces.