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I remember fondly as I walked out my front door the sun as it reached its destination; blinded me for a brief moment as I fumbled about for my sun glasses… The air was crisp and I drew in deeply filling my lungs with the first breath of unpolluted air. I had arrived at the cabin only a few short hours before and eagerly anticipated going for a hike.

There to greet me as always like a long lost friend were the beautiful woods that had surrounded the cabin for many a year.

My place of refuge, my small piece of heaven. I felt so at peace here. Far removed from the sounds of rushing traffic the endless drones of construction and the many unknown faces that crowed the narrow streets of my home in the city.

The memory of it all was fading fast replaced by the empty fastness of the many acres of land that lay before me.  I began to walk, not in any particular direction it was the beauty and the essence of this place that a destination was never a requirement.

The familiar sounds of dried broken twigs rang out surprisingly loud under the weight of my feet.

From the corner of my eye I caught the fleeting glimpse of a rabbit as it darted to and fro when seeing me he froze in place erect and hoping no doubt to appear invisible to me, an unwanted intruder. I smiled and tried to quietly pass  so as not to scare him. As I turned along the path I found my self utterly struck by the scene that lay before me. It was a breathtaking view of beams of sunlight that had broken threw the canopy of the trees above. Gently drifting down unifying as one to cascade warmth and light to the forest floor illuminating all it touched.

Suddenly my silence was broken by a repeating tat tat tat tat tat tat 

I looked up to the tree tops that stood all around, scanning left to right trying to discover the identity my noisy friend. When my eyes caught a slight movement and the striking head of red feathers. A tiny but determined wood pecker the culprit ,sat firmly against the trunk of a might oak tree. With fierce intent and  determination he pecked away, no doubt in search of his afternoon lunch. I watched him for a while; he appeared oblivious to me as he reached deeply with in his newly taped holes in search of his meal. 

I continued on my hike until the pathway gave way revealing a small brook where the water gently flowed creating what seemed like the sound of children laughing at play. Large boulders of various size stood sentry on either side. The surrounding embankments through time and erosion had etched out hillsides of 20 feet or more. I scanned the landscape until my eyes fell upon a familiar spot.

There nestled and quietly hidden lay a group of smaller rocks that by way of nature had formed into what resembled a small bench, that I am sure  countless others had taken refuge upon for a needed rest.  I myself had spent countless hours as a child, hidden there reflecting and drawing for many hours a day. It was my secret safe place and sitting there once again I closed my eyes. Just as one is able to tune a radio to find  their desired music station I too searched out the frequency for which the harmony of nature could be heard.

As I listened intently I began to feel the warm air gently blowing about me.  I could hear the rustling of the many leaves as they swayed upon there branches. Off in the near distance the sound of a deep throated croaking of a bullfrog was heard and in perfect harmony sang out with the rest of nature. A symphony as it seemed to be playing just for me. Suddenly I heard a familiar buzzing sound and as I opened my eyes I was able to witness the beauty of a dragon fly in its wondrous flight as it darted off in an unknown direction.

So pristine this magical place was to me completely unfettered by the hand of man. An entire world thriving and existing secretly, hidden with in the confines of the world I had come to know.  I lingered there for but a moment longer until I began to feel as though I might be intruding, so I rose up and began my journey home. As I retreated I silently thanked all those that live in this wondrous place, for having me as their guest.

As I stood in the solitude of my cabin once more I held in my hands a nice cup of warm brewed tea, and retired to my comfy couch. Where in no time my life long companion and friend, Salem my over zealous black cat joined me. Salem who at that moment thought it relative to poke me persistently with his furry paw paced now meowing at me until he found a little nook of warmth curling up beside me. As he began to close his eyes I thought to my self Salem what a great idea a nap would be wonderful.

The woods lay just beyond my cabin and had done so for many many years. They were to me the arms that shielded and protected me from the harsh world beyond. I knew they would always be there inviting me in to discover many more moments of joy, many more adventures. I began to slowly drift off to sleep surrounded by the serenity of my tiny piece of heaven. The ending to a splendid day and the beginning of a perfect vacation.