Blog 1:

Welcome to my blog of the most beautiful spot in Centennial Woods. This location is defined by its babbling brook, low-lying tree cover, ground vegetation, variety of rocks and pebbles, leaf litter, and occasional visiting forest creatures. For one to find this place, walk roughly 1.5 miles to the clearing where the one path splits into 4 sections. The directly straight path will bring you down a slight hill where the spot I chose can be found on the left. When I first saw this place, it was late summer and the characteristic that caught my eye was how the sun reflected off of the slow-moving water. I sat on a fallen tree log and admired the way the wind blew through the bright green leaves, and how the warmth from the forest accumulated in this patch of clearing. Now two months later and in the height of fall, the area is even more breathtaking. The water flowing through the brook is now slower, and the once green leaves are painted yellow, red, orange, and auburn. The foliage is falling to the ground and collecting over the damp rocks. The once warm air is now brisk and rejuvenating, but what is refreshing to me is causing the plants around my site to wither and die. Although sad and a sign of a coming winter, the colorful leaves paint a scene that makes my location unique and beautiful. When I last visited my site, I traveled with a book and a journal. Upon arriving to my place, I chose a tiny nook where the water met the ground and sprawled out and simply read for hours. The time flew by and before long, it became dark. I had spent nearly 5 hours in my location soaking in nature and living in the present. I have given you the directions to this spot, so when you find it, you would know. But you would also know you have arrived when you feel a sense of peace and release. In the times I have spent alone in my chosen spot, I was able to unwind and let the stresses of school go and be forgotten. I look forward to visiting my site more in the seasons to come and to observe the new changes as they begin to take place.

Field Notes:

• Foliage
• Speed of water in brook slowing down
• Less animal activity
• Canopy diminishing and leaves falling to ground
• Already many leaves and leaf litter on the ground
• Moss growing on exposed rocks
• Less sunlight