Okay, so it is day two of the Discover Prompt blogging recommendations. This time the suggestion is the word “Open”.

I had two thoughts as I was reading their blog recommendation. First, I really wish that we were released from all the quarantine requirements and able to go out again without restrictions. I would love to walk down the grocery store isles, impulsively picking off the shelves whatever I wanted and physically placing it into my shopping cart. That totally feels different from clicking on something to add it to an Internet “Cart”.

Secondly, how about getting to experience those wide open spaces in the great outdoors again? I really miss walking, hiking and exploring in my own personal favorite “Happy Place”: Agua Fria National Monument (AFNM). Over the past month I have been able to get out once to walk some paths in a local park and, yesterday, to visit the Falls of the Ohio State Park.

The photo above, taken at Falls of the Ohio, shows some of the numerous scatters of drift wood. Previous visitors piled some of it up to form shelters, artistic representations, pathways and more.

I’ve been able to explore AFNM for more than 15 years, experiencing fresh air, beautiful wildflowers, exhilarating climbs, fantastic scenery and stumbling upon prehistoric features everywhere. There is the initial feeling of relaxation, then wonder at the beauty of it all, and afterwards the understanding that the experience has removed all the stress and daily grind of city life.

This AFNM photo shows a rock formation in the Long Gulch area with view off to the west in the back ground.

Anyway, toward the end of two months of isolation, I’m really getting stir crazy. Can’t wait to get back out there!