Constellation Trail

International Woman's Day

 03/08/2020

 1.7 miles 

Motivation to go: Low 

Fun had: High 

It was a bit cold out, my Tucson blood was still thin and I felt lazy to hide under blankets in the house. But, I knew the fresh air would do us all good. 

The trail began flat and sandy and I  commented, it seemed like a nice place to run. Chad promptly pointed out, "It does not remain flat". Chad is familiar with this trail as it just a short drive from his home. Only recently did they add a charge of $3 to park at the trailhead.

Something about this space has me drawn to it. I want to stop on my way home and slink off into the trees. The large cottonwood trees at the beginning of the trail head offer shade and mystique. 

There was a space before the trail ended where two trees leaning together made an arch. I like imagining these kind of spaces are magic portals. As, I slip through, I am transformed into a frog. Chad chooses a dragonfly. I tell he him to "look out" as he would then be my snack. He decides he would be a giant dragonfly, too big for me to eat, and we would form a friendship and travel together. This hike throughout indulges our imagination. There was a shape in one rock that looked like a pet or some sort of cartoon, we named him Brutus with no need to tell him to stay. 

There was another rock that was set up high and looked like and artists depiction of a goddess yoni and thighs. 

A perfect celebration of the female form. 

Chad and I stand in one spot sharing all we see in the rocks like children looking at clouds. 

Back on the grounded earth this hike is typical of The Dells, large granite boulders, scrub oaks, and deer and love grass. The birds were the occasional scrub jay and a local bird I don't know yet. I see it in our front yard. The bird is orange and black with white flecks or spots contrasting in its black  feathers. The birds eyes are also a bright orange. Thanks to the internet I learned it is a western spotted towhee. I like meeting this new bird. His song sounds a bit like a Mexican singer rolling his/her "r". 

Drawing of the Towhee 

A short hike but overall an enjoyable experience, rooted in imagination and always the case the hike washed the lazy away and we leave feeling fresh.