Photo Assignment: Bowen Park

I've heard it said that into every life, a little Rain must fall... thank goodness, thank goodness. We decided to see the same places in order to see how we see them differently...see? Yeah, see? Weather finally permitting, last week, we both walked Bowen park. I thought she might have gotten the short end of the stick, since I got the better weather, for sure, but I don't really think so anymore. Did you see her photos? It's no secret that when this town, this neighbourhood, these circumstances make me feel trapped that I have weapons...a leash, a dog, a camera, my feet. I have a way that I feel which I look for out here...it's not that I find that feeling through the lens, nor even that I remember it through the photos(though I can), because I can remember moments that have so consumed me that I never even thought to snap off a picture, even if they happened a lifetime ago.

However, these photos I can share with you...and you...and you. Bringing you all along on these walks has introduced me to some friends of mine and opened up a space for us to be...and I like it here in our space.

This is my favorite spot in this park. I couldn't really tell you why. I like how I feel right here. That is one of the reasons I love bringing you along.

I have enjoyed the challenge of trying to find words which echo what I am really feeling out here because I don't always convey myself well in "the real world." I am not always sure that people "get" what these moments are all about to me...sometimes I am sure I frighten folks on these trails when they come across me crouched forever studying something they can't see. Mwuhahahaha.

Right here, I get right up close to the falls and close my eyes. The roar of it drowns everything else out. It becomes just me. I become just me. I don't think about anything else for that glorious roaring time. In Texas, on South Padre Island, Michael and I used to swim out past the first breakers and float, belly up, between the incoming waves of the first and second breakers. All you could hear was water. Fifteen minutes of that was like a good massage followed by eight hours of deep, sound sleep. Standing next to the falls is kind of like that...maybe more like a sweet (but short) nap.

This park is pretty magical...for some folks, I am sure it is all about the river...Millstone River. It is beautiful. It's course is astounding, slicing through slick rock and pounding now throughout spring. It will be a mere trickle in the late summer.

However, there is so much more to this park than the river. It's manicured. It has hangnails, too.

The wildness of the river trails, the calm waters of the outdoor community pool, horseshoes, disc golf, high-pitched children's voices rising over the seniors' activity center... it is a park for the ages, all ages. It is a park with a heartbeat.

The funny thing is, I didn't really feel too inspired to get out there for photos...these past weeks have really been taxing and I just didn't think I would get "there." At first, I was just pointing and shooting...I admit it. I didn't have it.

But then, rustling through the leaves, watching the filtering of the light, searching for the treasures I might share, I found it. That place I like to be. That way I like to feel. I have a hundred photos to prove it...how do I choose?

And another funny thing is this....you still don't even have a picture of "the Park." In total. You know what I mean? Rain didn't give you a photo of the park. I didn't give you a photo of the park. You still don't really know what the park looks like, do you? Granted, it is a pretty big park, but still...neither of us has given you the big picture.

We gave you tiny moments.

But I think they make a grander statement. Don't you? Thanks for coming along with us.

You choose the next one, Rain. Krista? I hear you want to play, too?!? This is gonna be good.