I had the day off on Friday, as did hubs. We decided we’d hike at Radnor Lake. Radnor is only 20 minutes from my house but I haven’t been there in ages. I was looking forward to it. Hubs indicated he’d like to leave the house between 9:00 and 9:30. Perfect! This gave me time to go to the gym and lift weights beforehand. I arrived back at the house around 9:00. Once I’d downed a quick bowl of oatmeal and changed into my hiking shoes I was good to go. Hubs, however, had plopped himself in front of the computer to balance our checkbook. Sigh.
By 10 a.m. I was over it. I’d wanted to do a quick hike, come home and attack the killer dust bunnies that were procreating all over the house.
By 10:15 we were on our way…to Target.
By 11:00 we arrived at Radnor Lake and got the last parking space in the lot. I was in route to my customary pre-hike bathroom break when I heard someone call out to me. It was a man I know from one of the YMCA locations I sometimes visit. I don’t know his name but every time I see him…every time…he has some sort of encouraging word regarding how hard I work out.
On Friday he shared with me that he struggles with weight and food choices. He asked me for my secret. I told him I eat clean (most of the time), exercise, and am connected with a support system of people who have the same issues with disordered eating as I do. He told me that for some time he’s been interested in finding support such as this. We swapped contact info and I told him I’d be happy to make introductions.
This encounter made me realize God’s timing is perfect while my timing is so very imperfect. Had hubs and I hiked when I wanted to, I would have missed this chance meeting and I would not have been in a position to provide service. I was so happy to have been placed at the right spot at the right time. Come to think of it, I doubt this was a chance meeting. It felt divinely ordered.
As hubs and I began our hike on the Ganier Ridge trail I saw two women crouched at the base of a tree. The cynic in me thought they might be burying a body but they looked too dainty for that. And why would anyone dispose of a body in broad daylight? I asked them if I was missing something interesting. They explained they were tidying the heart altars. Huh?
Apparently the area has an abundance of heart-shaped rocks. When they find one they add it to one of three altars at the base of a tree. They said the idea has caught on because they’ve seen other altars they did not build. They want to put good vibes out into the world and they chose this simple gesture to do so.
Heart Altar #1
#2
#3
Isn’t that a sweet idea?
Here are some other pics I snapped.
Getting started.
Trail running is not allowed here, not that I would be tempted.
Sunlight peeking through the trees. Or perhaps that’s lens flair which is a photography error. I’m not sure.
I’m glad the trails are marked. It has been so long since I’ve been here I’ve completely forgotten the trail.
The trail’s namesake.
Big ol’ fallen tree.
Hubs wasn’t in the mood to star in my blog. This was the best I could do under these circumstances.
Farewell, old tree. You have been marked. But fear not. You will be ground into trail mulch.
I have quite a few friends who are Radnor Lake regulars. Your assignment: create more heart altars. Now get to work!
482gr8 