Diamond Notch Waterfall
On the West Kill, in Spruceton, New York, I found a tiny place saturated in Magic. Elven light dripped down through the trees, illuminating the waterfall from behind, and the nearby fae delighted in our awe.
For a moment, I stood between two worlds: the spirit world was there, just out of my reach, the veil having thinned to near translucency. I seek these thin places, these places that transform and transfix me.
The Apache say that “Wisdom sits in places,” and I believe this is true. A few blissful moments passed before I step into the creek, the water shocking me out of my trance. Not every waterfall is a thin place, and not every thin place contains a waterfall, and there is no way of knowing when you might find such a place. Serendipity brought me there.
I was lucky enough to stand for a few moments in that mystical state, sedated and stirred, disoriented in the most delightful way. I struggle to find the words to describe these places because when I am present in them, I find something beyond words: the space between our world and the spirit world has collapsed, and there were no words, simply a sense of the divine magic of the universe surrounding me.
Philosopher Roger Scruton says that if we go through life with an open heart, we will encounter “Moments that are saturated with meaning, but whose meaning cannot be put into words.”
I live for these moments. I am already seeking the next place that might deliver one.
Black Creek Preserve, Esopus NY
One of our favorite places to visit year-round is Scenic Hudson’s Black Creek preserve. There is something for everyone here, and it begins only yards from the parking lot. Since my children have been small, this has been our favorite outdoor classroom! There is so much life in creeks, vernal pools, and Hudson River, and…
Peter’s Kill, Round 2
There are some places we return to again and again, despite knowing the trails by heart. We are not bored when we retrace our footsteps, because these places still steal our breath. The Peter’s Kill trail is one of our favorites, and in heavy rotation. Starting from the parking lot, we take the Red trail…
Peter’s Kill, Minnewaska
While I enjoy discovering new places, there are some that pull me back with a magnetic force so strong I cannot resist. Peter’s Kill is one of those places. I hesitated to write this post, because lately, sharing this information leads people to these places. While most visitors are respectful, some have been littering and…
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