The Stick

Being the season of giving of all sorts, I have been bombarded with media information/suggestions for the "perfect gift" to give.  Fabulously, I stumbled upon the 2008 inductee to the Toy Hall of Fame:  The Stick.

 

 

This stick is a fine example of what our family would look for when searching out the best marshmallow sticks.  Or if they wanted to play chase with a giant claw.  Sticks are amazing, so versatile, so useful.  Whenever I send the family out to play, sticks always become involved, even with the plethora of other "made" toys they already have.  So many colors, shapes...

 

I guarantee this stick would become either an Olympic torch, or a flame thrower, depending on the carrier.

 

I recently came across a BBC account of a current study reported in the Environmental Science and Technology Journal about the benefits of being outside. 

 

"Just five minutes of exercise in a "green space" such as a park can boost mental health, researchers claim."

 

So while it may be very enjoyable for many of us to spend countless hours diving into nature, there are benefits for everyone, even strolling for a few minutes along a tree-lined sidewalk.  Looking for the perfect stick -

 





A fan?  A shingle for a fort?  A piece of a wreath?

Timber for a fort.  Definitely.

The stick was chosen for the Hall of Fame for its versatility and longevity.  There are no boundaries, instructions, or guidelines with sticks.  Anything can happen.  No batteries needed, or sunlight, or extra people, or extension cords.  Often they are free.

 

 

 While admiring Headwaters Park's collection of sticks, I was struck by the glowing green area that jumped out at me.  Can you see it?  Perhaps the angle of the sun, or the gentle transition of fall colors abruptly stopping at the shock of spring-like hues.  Moss.  It was stunning.

Here's my favorite stick-find of the day. 

 

What can you imagine it to be?

New Park Blazes

The good news is, the park is not on fire.  The better news is, now there are a few new blue blazes throughout the park to help folks find the path when it may be leaf strewn or covered in a few feet of snow.  Perhaps those times are the best ones to go for a hike!

 

 

The blazes to follow are the vertical ones, about eye-level and approximately 8 inches long.  When working with our forester on this project, he suggested blue for the simple reason that this shade of blue is the least common one to find in nature year-round.  Any oranges or reds would blend in in the fall, white in the winter, and greens would be camoflauged in the spring and summer.  So blue it is. 

I love this tree - watch out for the roots.

 

Even in the distance, the blazes show up pretty well.  It was a beautiful day in the park, so quiet.  Everything was closing up for the oncoming winter season.  These photos are taken along the vernal pond trail - a shorter hike but worth the time.  The majority of the trail parallels Mill Creek and visitors get to enjoy the sound of the water throughout the walk.  If you are a frequent hiker, this is a great spot to watch the changes through the seasons and years caused by the movement of the water.  The creek is never the same; it's always changing and moving over time...