The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Those words from Robert Frost’s classic poem, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, came to me today while my son and I went for a hike at Ridley Creek State Park.
It was an absolutely gorgeous day, sunny and 72 degrees. My son and I wanted to do something outside, so we decided to go for a hike at a nearby state park. While we had been to this park once before, we had not gone on the newest trail that had been recently completed, and so we decided to try that one.
On our way there, I started thinking about all the work I still had to complete by the end of the day and wondering how long this hike was going to take. To use Frost’s words: I had promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.
Was going on such a hike the best use of my time in the middle of the day?
Let me answer that question with a resounding YES.
It was one of the nicest walks I think I’ve ever had. As noted already, the weather was perfect, and the trail was in great shape. For most of the walk we were right next to a stream, and the sound of the water passing by was just about the only sound we heard the entire walk.
The trail was just challenging enough to make you feel like you had accomplished something, and the company could not have been better.
So yes, Frost was right.
The woods are lovely.
And they inspired me to keep my promises, and gave me the energy to go the miles before I sleep.
Borden's Blather 