A Walk In the Woods

I love walking in woods, and the best place to do that is at Sandcreek trail. The head of the trail starts on the Bethel College campus in Newton. Having worked in the library on a different college campus for 12 years brings back feelings of nostalgia and the joy of seeing young people doing what they need to prepare for their life's work.

"We love the things we love for what they are."
Robert Frost, from Hyla Brook poem

I follow the sunlit-dappled path,
and it follows my back;
A cocoon of trees, an experience
like no other.
All five senses awaken, and linger
long after the walk is over.
~Jan Eitzen 11/13/09

I can't tell if this cut was a tree-treatment or if someone tried to cut it down and gave up.

Whatever happened it survived and, though not alive, stands as a strong sentinel in the woods.
"Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth. Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord." Psalm 96:9, 12

Can you find the spider? Much as I dislike spiders I couldn't resist taking this picture of one sunning on the "front porch" of its well-built lair.