I just got back from four absolutely relaxing and stress-free days of retreat. And let me tell you, I loved being in the country.
Whenever I go the back way to my friend Nancy’s retreat center, I have to drive over this bridge. Coming from California, I don’t think I was ever on a one lane bridge until traveling across this one, known as the Fourpoints Bridge.
I hate to say it, but I’m always so busy, I never really took the time to check the bridge out until this little retreat.
Since my twice daily walks took me either over or past the bridge, I took some time to study it. I was amazed to learn that our little bridge off Keysmill Road was built by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company and shipped from Canton, Ohio in 1876. That’s right, people have been making their way across this little bridge for 135 years. It was fun to walk across it each day, and I now have a new appreciation for the the craftsmen who pieced it together.
Beginning Friday, I was out walking between two and three hours a day, once in the morning, and again just before the sun set. As I’ve posted before, walking is my favorite form of exercise, but walking in my neighborhood is not nearly as fun as the country roads I was on each day. There was so much to see 🙂
Hanging on the wall of an old barn, this folk art wreath was made out of corn cobs. They don’t make barns like this any more. The stone used was local, and you can see piles of it everywhere.
This must be this cow’s once a week bath. I don’t know, maybe the others are too shy to take a dip during the day.
I think this is the guy who told me to get up each morning. My friend Nancy started raising chickens right after Easter, and she checks the roost every morning, hoping to start finding eggs.
I can’t remember what breed these were, but they were the most friendly chickens I’ve ever been around. Well, to be honest, I haven’t been around too many, so maybe they’re all like these 🙂
This was one of the main roads I walked every day. No, that is not an optical illusion. This road had lots and lots of ups and downs. Like a ribbon cutting through the fields, it provided a great workout.
Throughout these few days, there were a lot of things that struck me. One of the biggest was the fact that being quiet and in the country is good for the soul. It happened several times that I never saw another person on my entire walk. No cars. No people. How peaceful it was to be all by myself, just me and my thoughts and prayers. I got a lot of praying time in this weekend. I needed it.
So, what is it for you? A trip to the mountains? A walk along the beach? A run along some country road? Being somewhere out of the norm can sometimes help clear the confusion and stress we all find ourselves dealing with these days.
If you find yourself a bit off kilter, go somewhere, even if it’s just in your mind. It will be good for your soul.
More country adventures tomorrow…
