Sunday afternoon walk in the hollow

Earlier today I posted this on Facebook (with my iPhone) while at the mall with my wife:

Getting my mind stretched today. Just a few minutes after gawking in wonder at a vending machine selling iPhones and iPad Minis, my wife paid for our Starbucks coffee by waving her phone in front of this little scanner thingy. I think I better make sure to go for a walk in the woods this afternoon.

So later in the afternoon, I felt a compulsion to get out in the woods before sunset. I must say that it felt good to touch rock and wood, and to be in the presence of a place older than I can imagine.

Limestone forms the streambed in the center of the hollow.

This ephemeral stream flows only 2 or 3 times a year, and only

after prolonged heavy rains. Walking the winter terrain in the hollow,

I am reminded that this place has been shaped mostly by flowing water.

This is the senior beech tree in the hollow.

Its crown broke out many years ago, but my measurements

indicate that it must be at least 300 years old

Self-portrait, with old Beech

I didn't do a whole lot of walking, but it was a beautiful day to be outside. The weather was sunny, with temperatures into the mid 50s. It has been nice to have so much sunshine this weekend after a couple of weeks of rainy, miserable weather.