"i cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. so i spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air."
n. hawthorne

Pretty much sums up my intense need to get out to Hawk Mountain today. We had already planned to go to see a Golden Eagle demonstration they were having. Weather and a variety other things gave us some good excuses not to go, but something in me needed to go. The fresh air. The crisp air. What my heart was crying for right now. Took my niece, who summed it up by saying, "This is nice" on the way up the trail. it was nice. The trails were pretty empty, only the die hard come out this time of the year, so at a few points throughout we were alone, and it was quiet. I love that. That leave it all behind, clear your head quiet. I firmly believe there may be few other places I would rather be most days.

No pics. Left the camera at home, to be "in the moment". And the kids reminded me of it, everytime we saw something cool, or the beautiful view. So next time, we take the camera. My little map reader, aka C, made sure we stayed on the right trail, but was also dying to take some alternative trails to the top. A bit short on time today, I promised him next time we would certianly pack a lunch and take some of the longer trails and loops. He absolutely LOVES climbing on the rocks at the over looks. I have to tell him to go no farther or I think he would climb right down the side of the mountain.