Pink Moon

 During the second Silent Walk on the Full Moon at Black Rock Forest, the leaves were only just starting to emerge from their buds. April's green was not yet gold, but no worries. The moon was pink.  

   Once in the woods, the trees provided shelter from the chill breeze, and the low sun set their branches on fire. Peepers, a few water thrushes, and one very relaxed duck kept us company. It was an hour of shifting color, from the spectrum sunset to the intense glow of the year's first super moon. By turns their shadows and light marked our path.

Thank you to everyone who walked and witnessed.

The following are optional comments offered by some of the participants along with photographs taken during the walk. These serve as reminders, but nothing beats the actual experience. Join us! Reserve a space in the May 26 Silent Walk through the BRF events page.

 

I was amazed by all the different ways light interacted with the environment. From the sun highlighting the tops of the trees, the light like fireworks on the water, the sunset reflected on the mountains, to that super bright moon! 

Shadbush/Serviceberry blossoms along the path

The sunset to the left and the moonrise to the right--no words

Textured "tree star"

The experience made me feel at one with nature and the group. It made me appreciate the wonder nature provides us and how we have a responsibility to take care of it.

It was a wonderful to take a moment to be inspired and connect with nature and my mind.

 We were alone and together.

Because we were silent, I really noticed the distant highway, birdsong, and the breeze as it approached.

MOON SHADOWS

*** 

 

 

 My sincere thanks once again to the amazing staff at Black Rock Forest, especially Brienne Cliadakis, Susanne Vondrak, Aaron Culotta, and Matt Brady. 

Interested in supporting a nearly 4000 acre living laboratory of research and education? 

 Become a Friend of the Forest.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks as always to the Silent Walks photographer, Thom Munterich. 

 

Silent Walks on the FULL Moon at Black Rock Forest: The Clear Light of March

 

Last night 17 people participated in the first of three Silent Walks on the FULL Moon at Black Rock Forest.  After the wind and rain of the previous days, we welcomed a chilly, clear evening. We moved through the twilight with deliberate silence. As the light faded, our senses opened to attune to the smallest shifts of perception--smell, sound, sight, and we became aware of these woods on this night.

Ripples of life under the water's surface, the wind made visible as a luminous shimmer across the reservoir, the echoes of geese, and of course, the loud slapping of the beavers, were magical, but they did not happen for us. We simply were able to bear witness. In fact, the forest's indifference to our presence felt like grace.

At the end of the walk, participants had the option of writing a few words about the experience. They are included below. Photographs are inadequate, but we offer them as a reminder of what it was like. My thanks to Thom Munterich for documenting this and all the Silent Walks. 

My sincerest thanks to Black Rock Forest, especially Brienne Cliadakis, Aaron Culotta, Susanne Vondrak, and Matt Brady. 

 

***

Entering the Quiet Zone

So Calming. Love the changes in light and sound. Perfect time of day for transitions.

I love Black Rock at dusk. Great light and peaceful.

The beavers were awesome, slapping their tails. Not talking was weird but great. It was like meditation. Cool to see the stars so bright. It was great to be in the woods in the dark and not feel afraid. Loved it!

💚The fallen tree trying to follow the stream

💚The first reservoir like a crown

💚The piles of rocks a reminder of childhood play

😡annoying steaming up of glasses because of mask

Aleck Meadow Reservoir

I find I'm either listening to music, or, in times of silence, hearing music in my head. 🎶 THANK YOU for this experience!

The wind made beautifully complicated ripples on the surface of the reservoir. We saw and heard two beavers. Thanks you!

 Quiet gave space to listen to frogs, trees and birds! Loved seeing the way different trees capture light.

 

 

Light's eventide. Bonnard

 

Water rushing in streams, quite loud, then fading away.

THE BEAVERS As destructive as they are they were glorious. That splash! The deeply eroded dam like a stairway up to an ancient pyramid. The stars kept multiplying.

To walk in silence in the forest at dusk is a magical experience. For me the highlights were the glow of the sunset at my shoulder; the ripples on the water at Aleck Meadow reservoir—interrupted by the geese; the sounds of bigger, more ominous animals than encountered in the daylight lurking in the dark woods; watching beavers leap and play in the Upper Reservoir; and finally, seeing the starlit sky above.

 

***

Thanks again to all the participants! The next Silent Walk is on April 26.

Registration is required. 

 Sign up now through Black Rock Forest's event page.

Silent Walk Reprise in New Paltz-Thursday October 14th

As part of the Hudson Valley Artists 2010: Contemporary Art and Praxis, we are so pleased to lead a reprised Silent Walk on Thursday, October 14th, 2010. The walk will begin at the Sojourner Truth parking lot along the Wallkill Rail Trail on Plains Road (P6 on map) at 5:00pm. Carpooling from the Dorsky will be available at 4:45pm. Please join us and bring a friend! Walkers should dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. We will walk silently along the trail south to the bridge, enjoy the view for a few minutes, and then return to the parking lot to share some refreshment. It will be dusk. Bring a flashlight if you wish. We will have some extras. All walkers participate at their own risk.

The Final Walk-Faith in What Remains

The night of May 20th offered warm sun, brilliantly blue skies and myriad hues of green that varied from near black to chartreuse. We were delighted to welcome so many first time walkers, especially those who came from far away to participate. Definitely better late than never. For those who have joined in many walks throughout the year, we feel a special fondness. Together we have experienced this mountain, this river and all the variables of weather and people over the past twelve months. Since last June, we crunched through leaves, got lost (briefly), got wet, warmed up, broke rules, slowed down and paid attention in a new way. The walks were an aesthetic full court press. Talk about engagement. The original questions: Who and what is nature? and Who and what makes art? are answered. Here are the closing questions: What is ephemeral? What remains? I believe an experience that develops tendrils of connection--to a moment, to a place and to a community--offers an answer.

The Silent Walks were a wonderful experience. I am grateful to every person whose participation made them happen. Many thanks. Comments from the final walk follow. entering the Quiet Zone Wonderful spring trees. Breeze stirring in the branches Tall, blossoming tree. Birds all around Tweeting a sweet sound But when I came back from the view, there was no song at all. -O. P. age 8 I like the way last year's leaves are crushes into the stones on the path. Bleu Blanc Vert Thank you. This was such an awesome experience on so many levels: smells, sounds, sights, the breeze, the streams. "every moment is made glorious..."- Rumi Bring the walks to Jersey! Make 'em longer! Rock on. Dig the quiet----need more of that. A deeper green surrounded us. The river was streaked with pale blue lines--currents, breezes, wakes, the Shawagunk escarpment distinct in the view. Beautiful. Peace. Feet make too much noise. I wanted to tell the birds to be silent. My camera made too much noise and flash. Follow the yellow hat. Trees! GREAT to finally make it!!

The View

Well, what can I say, I'm sad to see the Silent Walks go...but so glad to have been a part of it. Dappled sunshine, gnats, train horns drifting up from the Hudson. Awesome! Although my first, it was the 12th walk on the 12th night, a celebration of the fulfilled commitment to merge the boundaries of art with the cycles of nature over a year's span of time. Congratulations! So beautiful yet so...sad. Thanks for an experience that will last for years. thinking of the song that has the line "gonna feed my soul where the blacktop ends"

Special thanks to Diane and Martin and Odessa. You and Barbara Gioia get the most walks attended award! We always end the walks with conversation and a bit of refreshment, but this time, we also celebrated with a closing reception at 2 Alice's coffee house.

I cannot overstate the importance of Thom Munterich to this project. Beyond all the beautiful photographs and documentation he has provided,Thom is the only other person who has walked every walk with me. His support, both creative and logistical, has been integral to The Silent Walks. Sincerest thanks.

This mirrors the first video taken last June.

Thanks again to everyone!

The cycle is nearly complete.

Please join us on May 20th at 6pm for the final Silent Walk.

We meet at the Stone Pillars at the trail head on Mountain Road in Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY. Parking is limited, so carpool if you can. We invite anyone who has walked this past year to join us for the final walk.
Help us get the word out!

The weather will be typical for May, so dress appropriately. We'll have bug spray if you want it. We have been fortunate all year, but keep in mind that the walks are postponed by one day if there is dangerous weather (lightening).

All walkers participate at their own risk.

April's Green is Gold

Almost a year has gone by and I can't help comparing walks from either side of the solstice. In this case, April had the same light as August and even looked humid and stormy. Yet it was cool, and we were amid the new pale greens of spring. The walk had a good turn-out with many "first-timers" joining us. I am growing more reflective as this project nears completion, yet am happy that it has some afterlife--not just for me, but for those of us whose perceptions have broadened and whose sense of connection has been enhanced. The following are comments made by this month's participants. Thanks so much to all of you who came out! "Such a beautiful idea and experience. We should do more things silently." "A year has gone by so quickly. I was getting used to walking in the dark and really enjoying the challenge and drama of it! Will miss this wonderful ritual." "Winter took a toll. I can see more clearly." Can you see the post? "As the seasons change, there is always beauty all around on the Silent Walks, an experience everyone should have. " (O.P. age 8 and participant in four walks so far) " More than the view or the wonderful breeze, the trees and plants stole the show. Like Robert Frost's "nature's first green is gold" the light green leaves and golden glow are so enchanting. I'm so glad to hear that the Silent Walks may continue on past next month. I'll always be looking forward to more." Here is the poem Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay. "I was very aware of the beat of the footsteps." "It was really good to be able to enjoy the natural beauty and silence of nature with so much company. Thank you." "Hard to believe it could get any better than this. Plenty of new people, plenty of regulars, gentle breeze in the air and leaves in the trees. The road doesn't seem as loud as it did the first few times. Becoming more and more about the woods and less and less about the group and me." "Lovely walk. I liked that company was sizable, but we couldn't talk. Instead, we had to listen to our surroundings and each other. Definitely meditative." "Simply beautiful! Instead of listening to what our neighbors had to say, we were able to listen to how we felt." periwinkle "Noticed the little lone violets here and there poking up at the edge of the trail. Memories of another similar mountain. Regrets that this discovery couldn't be shared with a friend who died recently, the wonderful feel of the wind..." "uphill. breathing heavy. self aware. determined not to slow down. pride. beautiful vista. large grand universe. quiet downhill. slower breathing. return to another world." "Noticed the wind sounding like waves of noise building and crashing in the tree tops. The pattern it created on the surface of the river was the same as the ruffled silhouette of the leaves in the trees." All visual documentation of the walk was made by our talented and dedicated photographer, Thom Munterich.

widow maker, sock-leaf, deer biscuit

Please join us for the LAST Silent Walk on the Half Moon on May 20th at 6pm. Anyone who has participated in a Silent Walk over the course of the past year is invited to the SWHM cook-out on May 22. Details to follow.

How did our entomologist come up with this sweet, humorous poem so quickly? Inspired by Robert Frost no doubt. "Silent walk, your sound is golden! How our senses become emboldened. We have to see, we have to hear, but louder still we are than deer! We hear the wind, we hear the trees. What a lovely idea, this idea of Jackie's."