French Creek State Park, Berks County, Pennsylvania

This weekend was a perfect time for a hike in French Creek State Park. This is the last hike before Hurricane Sandy pummels our area and likely takes down the last remnants of Autumn leaves. It was a surprisingly warm day, a bit of misty rain in the morning and some cloud cover, but otherwise very pleasant hiking weather.

Grey clouds over Hopewell Lake in the morning, but the brilliant colors of Autumn are still here.

Much of the trail is under forest cover. I felt surrounded by the gorgeous yellow, orange and crimson colors of the season.

I love the smells of Autumn, and the sound of leaves crunching underfoot.

Vivid yellow everywhere.

Just a Little Walk in the Woods, Henry's Woods at Jacobsburg State Park, Pennsylvania

I found this quote from Rachel Carson in her beautiful book "The Sense of Wonder" and I longed to be out in the woods today:

Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. Whatever vexations or concerns of their personal lives, their thoughts can find paths that lead to inner contentment and to renewed excitement in living. Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for the spring. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature - the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter. 

Late afternoon sunlight coming through a grove of hemlocks in Henry's Woods.

I love the sound of water bubbling over rocks, don't you?

The beauty is in the details...

Serenity...

I enjoyed these beautiful reflections while listening to the melodious notes of wood thrush calling to each other, and the occasional drumming of a woodpecker.