Last Monday, I had my morning free because I was covering a late meeting for work. The meeting involved difficult topics of police, race relations, and politics, and since I was filling in for a colleague who was on vacation, it was in an area that I don't normally cover. In need of perspective, and instead of anxiously sitting around worrying about it, I took Freckles for a walk along the Mamakating rail trail. The sunshine was warming, the piney-scented air was fresh, and the crunch of icy pine needles underfoot was satisfying.
What struck me most - and what I found coincidental, given my search for perspective - was this view down the trail, pictured at the top of this post. It resembled a holloway: a most beautiful word all by itself. I recently learned that a holloway is a path in a forest where deer and other animals have so frequently trod that their travels form a hollow in the woods.
If you want a gorgeous, physical representation of a holloway, look up Isobelle Ouzman. The artist takes thrift-shop books and uses X-Acto knives, glue sticks, and watercolors to transform them into works of art.
See what I mean? Breathtaking.
The rail trail isn't a true holloway. But do take the time to walk it - it's open to the public, and the trailhead is next to O'Toole's Harley Davidson on Route 209 in Wurtsboro. A handy kiosk offers a big-picture map of the trail (again, gaining perspective is an important thing!), and there are benches along the trail so you can rest your legs, or just ponder the beauty around you.
Beautiful phote! Great way to relax the mind. I frequent the trail in lower orange county and agree great place to just relax and take in the splendorous beauty around.I love the artwork of isobelleouzman . Absolutely beautiful.