This weekend has been a joy, and it is only halfway over.  After work on Friday, I headed to Newark, where I met up with my friends Mike and Mark.  We spent about an hour talking resumes and how to go about a job search (they both recently lost their jobs at the business where they have worked for the past fifteen years) and then headed to Quizno's for dinner.  Mike and I then drove to Dawes Arboretum, where they were hosting a night hike.  I have never been on one before, and it was truly a delight.  We departed onto the grounds just at sunset, and there were no lights used - not even a lantern - so it was truly a hike into darkness.  We saw several bats diving for insects on one of the ponds, and a group of Canada geese.  Many glowworms were out, and their bright yellow-green light sparkled like stars fallen to earth.  Even though it as pretty cloudy, we could still do a little stargazing, and we found the Dippers and part of Draco.  The sections of the hike that took place in the woods were really dark, and it was hard at first not to force my eyes to see, but eventually I realized I was in tune with the trees and plants, and could easily tell the difference between trail and woods. 

This morning, the three of us returned to Dawes to spend some time among the beautiful grounds.  The flowers were in bloom, and we merely relaxed, strolling among the greenery while inhaling the scents and listening to the birds sing.  The promised rain held off, and the temperature stayed at a comfortable 70-something degrees.  I've discovered that even a short time among nature quickly rejuvenates me, and I already feel fresh and ready for the coming work week.  A trip to Bob Evans for brunch, and then a stop at Jolly Pirate for a couple of donuts, and then we returned to their apartment.  I'm going to visit sidhe_etain in a little bit, and then off to Andy and Kelly's for an overnight with them.

Here are some pictures I took today at Dawes:


       

( More pictures )

I spent a couple of hours at Dawes last weekend with some friends, hiking around the perimeter.  If you are ever in Central Ohio, be sure to check Dawes out - it's free and absolutely beautiful.  It is one of my favorite places, and I never get tired of taking pictures there.  Here are some of my favorite shots from this time.  Click on them for bigger versions (I haven't figured out how to get the full-size versions to show up automatically).


( Nature pictures. )