Fireworks in my mind.

 Yesterday was a beautiful day here in CT. I decided that with my short bit of free time, it would be best for my growing derriere to go for a hike. My dog Miles had tears in his eyes wondering what had prompted mommy to venture in the woods at long last. Being such a long winter, I have sent roots from my spine down through my swivel chair often forgetting that an outside even exists. So I drove over to Hubbard Park in Meriden for the first time ever. On first look, it feels like Central Park in New York City with many less people. My neighbor Marty told me this morning that the designer of Hubbard Park was the same guy that designed New York's masterpiece. His name was Fredrich Olmstead and he hailed from Hartford. Anyway, Miles was jumping out of his skin to begin our hike. I started off on the wrong path that led me a mile out of my way before I got the sense something wasn't right. I retraced my tracks and met a nice lady who pointed me in the right direction. Her name started with an A and I found her fascinating. She was a distance running 49-year-old mother and army soldier who clearly has an effervescent personality. I wish I didn't have 25 pounds of camera on my back so I could run with her.  As I hiked up the trail, it became clear, that this wasn't a main trail. I thought to myself,  I know I have to go over thata way and up. So I walked and walked...and walked. A mile or so later, I realized that I had missed the turn up to the castle when all I saw was sheer cliffs near where castle should be. Backtracking, Miles and I finally found the steep trail that led the way up, and up it was.  It was decision time. I had already been hiking for an hour with no water, and even worst…no snacks. I left my phone in the car…woops.  Typical, I pack the camera and nothing else. Thankfully I had told Claudia I was at Castle Craig, just in case they had to send out the search party.  A funny thing happens to you when you are alone in the woods. You start to feel like the world has completely forgotten you exist and civilization as we know it seems to have disappeared into thin air. You would think this Ironman, marathon-running girl would do this with ease. Truth is, I have spent way too many hours glued to my seat and I felt like the combination of the hot chocolate, Twizzlers and my many other poor food choices were beginning to hold me back from any forward movement.  Miles who was crashing through the brush would stop  every now and then just  laugh at me.  Man’s best friend I think not.  So we made it to the top and I gave Miles the Rocky Balboa arms up victory sign and he laughs at me again.  There was a beautiful view, especially based on the fact that I didn’t use a car to get to the top. I looked out over Meriden and it actually looked...pretty! I took my ceremonious shots and headed back. Coming back, I found the real trail and cut off a full hour of the outbound trip making it back in less than 40 minutes.  When putting the photos on the computer, I realized, that they were somewhat dull.  After the effort put in to get there, they should have been jaw dropping gorgeous.  The moral of the story here is that the journey in itself is what makes a place interesting.  This photo above was taken at 12 noon in bright daylight. I thought I would make it more fun for you so I turned it into nighttime scene where you could see the imaginary fireworks that I saw while reaching the top of Castle Craig.  I had the Katy Perry song in my head throughout the entire walk. Perhaps it was just my dehydration speaking.  To learn Photoshop, I have a long journey ahead of me, but if it is anything like my hike, eventually, I’ll get there . In the mean time, try to make some of your own fireworks today!