My Hidden Paradise Of Walden, New York
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

My Hidden Paradise Of Walden, New York

The most beautiful place I've ever been.

15
My Hidden Paradise Of Walden, New York
Wikipedia Commons

Not all breathtaking views are in far-away places, accessible only by traveling great distances to arenas of nature. While the Grand Canyon is among one of the most beautiful locations in the United States, as is Niagara Falls, finding great beauty in nature doesn’t take much traveling. One can find it even within five minutes from home and maybe even passes by it a hundred times a day without a thought.

Taking a right turn out of my neighborhood and heading into Walden, the smallest town in New York perhaps, I come to a narrow street that doesn't have much to offer but the usual images of a suburban lifestyle. Passing through the town and watching people going about the daily business of living, it would be easy to miss this street. However, making my way down it I arrive at what looks like a small hidden road. The road begins to widen, forming what appears to be a winding pristine carpet of pavement. Uncracked and undamaged from lack of use, the road meanders down to a lake. James Olly Park has a small body of mud-water on a miniature beach. To tell the truth, walking in the sand is like trekking through a minefield. One wrong move and you could tumble over a pile of hidden rocks or freshly speckled white goose poop. Sure is beautiful, isn’t it?

Continuing onto a small path on the opposite side of the park, a small bridge carries over the water. Then finding what appears to be a tunnel to your left, but not a usual tunnel. This one has walls made of tree bark and a ceiling of bending branches forming a canopy above. The sunshine filters in, giving the tunnel an unreal type of glow; a combination of foggy green and liquid gold. When walking deeper into this natural tunnel, time begins to feel like it’s slowing down. The heat of the sun doesn’t entirely reach through the leaves and the air is cool even in the hottest days of the summer. Unable to see where it ends, I would usually be uneasy but the quiet rustling of leaves is soothing. While the trees converse with one another, the sounds of a busy town close by are gone. There are no voices of children playing in the park or of cars on the road. I hear only the subtle conversations among of the leaves, assuring me that I’m safe and encouraging me to continue on. The path travels up a hill now, and suddenly there is sky.

This passage releases to a crest of a small hill and opens to an inviting field of lush grass covering it. I climb to the top of the hill and can see clearly in all directions. Surrounding this field are trees covered with fiery leaves, and I can hear the quiet rippling of the lake at the foot of the hill.

The allure of this place is unmeasurable as I lie on the hill and look backwards into the sky. It’s perfectly blue, with small puffs of clouds scattered across it. Lying down on the soft grass, I watch the clouds rush over me on their way to somewhere new. This is the safest I have ever felt. Is it real? The sky feels so close that I could touch it yet I know it’s monumentally out of reach.

Then suddenly, I feel fear. A sense that if I lean forward just enough, gravity could fail me and falling into the sky seems possible. Perhaps the thought is scary, but the longer I stare the more I want it to happen. The view consumes my brain and looking away just isn’t an option anymore. As I lay there observing, I can’t help but repeat: “This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.” It’s not the Grand Canyon or the Niagara Falls, but to me it is better because those places belong to everyone and for the moment this place just belongs to me.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

39782
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

24356
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950299
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

129985
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments