Following the deer

 Yesterday, I was consecrated as a Priestess in the nature Spirituality I practice.

I completed a year long course in August, and was able to make my "graduation" at this turning of the year from old to new, according to the old Celtic calendar.

My practice encompasses connecting with the cycles of nature, the wild edges, the deer, specifically, but all of wildlife as well.

I still have to learn how to describe and explain what being a Priestess means, but, in a nut shell, it has to do with healing through nature, and ancient modes of connecting with nature, spiritually, and, eventually, helping others to find their own healing through those connections.

To celebrate this big accomplishment, Dave and I went back to Roman Nose state park, and booked a room at the lodge.  

We hiked last night before dusk, had dinner at the restaurant, on the patio, then had a very relaxing evening reading and sipping wine. Then, a long night of rest, thanks to the time change.

It was nice and quiet, despite there being lots of people at the lodge.

I really needed the rest, as the excitement leading up to my consecration had me sleeping badly last week.

This morning, the sun came up an hour earlier (thanks to the return to standard time overnight), and I got up and took my shower right away, anxious to get out and hike at sunrise.

It took Dave another hour and a half to get moving, so we missed my goal of a sunrise hike, BUT.... the moment that I opened the curtains, there was a doe and her yearling standing directly outside.

That was a very significant moment for me, as we have visited this park numerous times, and have seen deer tracks, but never the deer themselves.

Since the restaurant is closed on Sundays (which we had no idea about when we booked the room),  we were going to have to hike on empty stomachs to at least fulfill part of my plan to spend significant time in nature.

We headed out, and the trail that we took, which we had never completed before, turned out to be far more challenging than anticipated.  After an hour of pretty intense hiking, with difficult footing, and LOTS of ups and downs, I "called it," and we turned back.

Once back down, we found that the cafe` at the gift shop WAS open, and we were truly starving, so we got some breakfast before heading to the other side of the park to take my favorite hiking trail.

I'm thinking we would have made it to the top of the hill if we'd been able to eat first!

Anyway, after a substantial breakfast, we went and did my favorite trail, and enjoyed being the only humans down by the springs.  It was so quiet, and peaceful.  We stood in silence, HOPING to see more deer, but it was not to be.

Coming back up, we both discovered that we were sore and quite fatigued.  That earlier hike, with no fuel in our bellies, was really taxing.

We got in the car, and pointed it toward home.

Around 1, almost home, we decided to stop for lunch before getting all the way home.  By that time, my body had recovered, but Dave was still feeling quite stiff and sore.

I am pretty sure we we will be getting into the hot tub later!

In other news, my dental exam went fine, but I have to get a filling replaced, and will do that next Thursday, when I am off for Veterans' Day.  I also have my annual well woman appointment later the same morning.

Whee.

Then, next Friday, we are leaving town again, and heading up north for our annual overnight Crane Spotting trip! 

Can't wait.

Right now, I need to get laundry going, and I think a little nap is in order!

Have a lovely week.