Back in the Saddle - Or the Office Chair

Good day! I don't know about where you are, but here in the Laurel Highlands this has been one of the prettiest weeks I can remember. It is a welcome change from the heat that greeted us in Our Nation's Capital last weekend. Bookkeeper Extraordinaire Lisa informs us that the heat was all the fault of the Girl Scouts. Seems they have a huge national get-together in DC every five years and "it is always the hottest Saturday of the year." June 9th's Girl Scouts Rock the Mall certainly fit the bill (although I have experienced higher humidity in Washington so we were lucky indeed).

It was a great girls' weekend away - down the Washington & Old Dominion and Custis Trails from Leesburg, VA to Arlington, across the Francis Scott Key Bridge to Georgetown, and a quick little ride UP to Adams Morgan. We spent Saturday exploring the city, then on Sunday cycled back DOWN to Georgetown and up the opposite side of the Potomac on the C&O Canal Towpath to White's Ferry. A ferry ride across the Potomac brought us back to our vehicles, kindly shuttled to the ferry landing by BE Lisa and her sister, Diane. Final count: 82 biking miles, several walking miles, a few adult beverages and some Brazilian food.

And 250,000 Girl Scouts!

Seems like last weekend was all about Living Playfully - the call of adventure, with everyone a little out of their comfort zones. To me, there's nothing so wonderful as being on the road with the bike. It's the definition of living a minimalist life (although I know I dragged along too many Things to Wear in my trailer) - a theme that popped up a good bit during this weekend, even back here in Confluence in my absence.

Bill was visited by Anne and Mike, dear young friends who sold all their stuff and are truly living playfully, and with purpose. How we admire them and others like them! Could we truly LIVE playfully and with much less stuff? I think so. I've been an avid reader all my life and collected books like members of the family. Almost a year ago now I was in a (sadly) closing Borders and the price of their Kobo readers was reduced to such a small price that I could not walk away. Now I'm surprised how much I like the little thing. And I heap mounds of gratitude on the ever-increasing catalog of ebooks being held by our libraries. I never would have believed I could let go of my books. About the only ones left now on my shelf are the annals of Anglophilia.

Let's see. If we bought/own fewer things, might we not have more time/money to play outside?

Event of the Week - Where to Go? What to Do?

The Friends of Colonel Denning have a busy Saturday in store. Not only is it their regular monthly work day on Saturday morning, but the afternoon brings the first of three monthly concerts in the park. This time out they'll be playing from 3:00 until 5:00; in July and August, music will ring from 6:00 until 8:00.

Up at Cherry Springs, the annual Astronomical Society of Harrisburg's Star Party is in full swing with Saturday night as the Public Viewing Night with expert astronomers and guides available to help you fully enjoy the night sky at our Gold Medal Dark Sky Park. Forecast? "Mainly clear and 53." Yowzah!

Check out our Calendar of Events, the DCNR Calendar of Events and the DCNR Conservation Volunteer Program website for ways to work and play. There is a LOT of stuff going on; I have to say that you may want to do a search on your specific park these days. The calendar is stuffed full so it's a little tricky to zero in on things right now. But that's a good thing, right?

Wise (Or Witty) Words

We spent a few lovely hours in the West Wing of the National Gallery of Art on Saturday where Ginevra de Benci, the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci on public display in the US hangs out. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Do you really want to argue with genius?

Thanks for reading,

Pam

Pam Metzger
Membership/Volunteer Coordinator