To view photos in full screen mode click on any image.
Acadia National Park here in Maine was closed for the last two weeks due to the government shutdown. The park service tried valiently to keep everyone from entering and enjoying our heritage which is promised to belong to the people forever. They failed miserably. What transpired was a small revolution where visitors walked around barracades, lined the roads parking as close as possible to any and all access points. I too broke the law and spent two truly wonderful days in the park with not only great Fall scenery but with an air of freedom and joy in everyone I met along my paths. It was a celebration of sorts where claiming "My park" was the gentle rallying cry everywhere.
I generally receive a real sense of exhaling tension whenever I in a place where the trappings of modern soceity are not permitted to enter, where there are no houses, utility poles, advertising or any traffic in which the drive is to get somewhere. Acadia is one of those places where a pause can be taken and the creations of God can be enjoyed carefully and as fully as possible. We are fortunate here in Maine to have a lot of access to spaces where one can practice being at one with nature and to continue to learn to observe so many things that are usually passed by in the rush of daily comings and goings.
To
see a World in a Grain of Sand
And
a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold
Infinity in the palm of your hand
And
Eternity in an hour.
William Blake
The first three photos this week were taken in Acadia last weekend with the first a view of what some thought of the closing.
Breaking the law as walkers on the Ocean Drive in Acadia National park walkers take back what cannot be taken away, their park. This is not a protest, just people out for a walk on a beautiful Fall day with gentle overtones of a healthy rebellion. The park rangers left to guard the closure simply disappeared and let all walkers and have a good day in the entire park.
An Autumn Fall scene at a rather remote lake in Acadia adorned with all the finery trees save for the gala celebrating the end of one season and the beginning of Winter on the way.
The following link is a wonderful short narrative of the beauty that surrounds us everywhere and is seen by eyes and senses that stop for a few moments to observe what is in the present moment. (I have posted this before but it is worth another listen.)
I would like to suggest that you click on the photo above and in full screen listen to the following.
Ckick here: https://app.box.com/s/a7262dad1064ab730005
Just as leaves explode each Spring,
Autumn brings the same exuberant reach toward the sun
as the colors held in secret all Summer
find their release in God's Gift to memory -
remembered in all the cold days ahead.
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Memories of Campobello Island
two images of flowers seen there this past Summer
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Nature will reveal Herself
no matter what barriers humans put up.
There is a gap in everything,
revealing what is on the other side.
- Geometry -
(Portland Maine Airport while waiting for Lee who was in NYC.)
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Some humor:
Peace and serenity until next week,
Bill Lagerstrom
