A Walk In The Woods - Remembering Iceland

Yesterday afternoon, as the sun warmed the farm, 


we put the equines out in the front pasture for some fun time -

and headed over to the woods with the dogs for a hike. 

There is no doubt, a run in the woods is their most favorite thing in the world.

Even old Sammie (who normally conserves energy) gets a super-charged burst of energy when heading into the woods.

They run and jump with their noses to the ground searching for signs of animal life to pursue.  Often, they flush out some deer, and have to be told to "leave it" so they don't give chase.  Yesterday, we saw no deer.  Fun was had, nonetheless.  Annie did disappear for a little while.  Who knows what manner of mischief she had gotten into.  Luckily, she returned, panting heavily, after about 10 minutes.  It must have been quite the adventure!


Across from our platform tent...

is a large, decaying pile of logs.

Often at this time of year, I am just a little nervous that perhaps I might find a bear hibernating in the space beneath the logs.  I tip-toed around to take a peek - no bear.  [sigh of relief]  What I did find, however, were some bottles and metal objects that had worked their way to the surface.  At one time (long before us) this particular area was someone's trash dump.  Years ago we cleaned it up, but occasionally I find something that has worked its way to the surface.

Yesterday, amongst the pieces that I found was this jar.  It was filled with dirt and had an old rusty lid that had all but disintegrated.

 I liked the looks of it, so I brought it home and cleaned it up.  It will make a perfect vase for fresh garden flowers this summer.  Does this particular jar look familiar to anyone?  I am wondering what this jar might have held.  It looks like a quart size jar and a standard canning lid fits it.

Lately, whenever we are hiking in the woods, I pick up rocks on the trails and build cairns on tree stumps.

They remind me of our 2017 trip to Iceland.  Large cairns can be seen across the countryside... left from Viking days when they were used as a sort of GPS system for travelers.  In recent years, tourists build their own cairns from the lava rock that is so prevalent in that country. 

 Building new cairns in Iceland is discouraged, so I waited to build my own on our own land.  They will surely be a curiosity to our Littles when next I can take them exploring our woods.

I love wandering through the woods just looking for nature's oddities.  We found this tree... three tiny trunks who entwined themselves together in a braid...


then branch out separately at their tops.


The dogs are not the only ones who love hikes in the woods.  The woods are my one of my favorite places.  I love how they morph with the changes in seasons.  I love the fact that so much wildlife calls this place home.  It is peaceful and wild and totally natural.  These spaces are so important and must be protected.  I am happy that we were able to add this acreage to our farm years ago when it came up for sale.  At one time, we dreamt of building our home here.  Perhaps it's even better that we didn't.... thus keeping it wild.

Comments

Lynne said…
Wonderful place for your hikes . . .
No doubt you see different things each time you are out!
Love the cairns and the “braided” trees . . .
Happy digs too!
Lynne said…
Oops . . . DOGS . . .
jaz@octoberfarm said…
they used to store things that were damaged by light in amber jars. my first thought was i remembered coffee coming in a jar like this when i was very young. it might have been from some of the first instant coffee. it's just a vague memory. i love the woods more than anything. the woods was always my safe place.
Patty said…
Love that you took us with on your hike! Such a beautiful place to hike. Growing up we had fields and woods nearby and that's where me and my siblings could be found on summer days. Even in the winter there were hills to sled on.
That amber jar is such a great find! I hope one of your readers can identify it.
Deb said…
I think Jazz is right...I remember that jar as coffee too, probably instant, from my grandma Nanie’s home. Enjoy your blog!
littlemancat said…
Love to be out in the woods, too, although the thought of bears is a bit scary.
I think that jar is an old Ovaltine jar - I have one very similiar. It's the right size,shape,and color.
Enjoy these good weather days!
Mary
Marcia LaRue said…
Just the pictures of the woods ... the trail leading into your woods ... evokes a remembered smell from so long ago ... love it!
I hope you are OK ... I get a feeling you are overly tired ... just something amiss with this week's blogs! Oh, they are all lovely and we all love our visits to the BHA ... Anyway ... I hope you are OK.
Hugs from CO 😘
I don't know what that glass jar is, but it's quite lovely! Lucky to find it intact and unbroken too.
This N That said…
I think that jar is/was a coffee container..Looks like it's in pretty good shape..Love the woods.Fun place to
explore..Bears or no bears..Love the cairns...Enjoy this beautiful day..Hugs
Kacy said…
There is an old dump on our property, too. I love seeing what surfaces!
Anonymous said…
Coffemate jar? Seems they were brown?
I love your woods Bev! When we moved four years ago, we left our woods behind. We are surrounded by woods here but it doesn't belong to us. We used to take the grandkids into the woods often and find amazing things. So glad you have that opportunity too!
Anonymous said…
i distinctly remember your jar as a coffeemate jar. so that's two votes for coffeemate. --suz in ohio