Ashley, Actually

Happy summer to everyone, (also Happy Fathers day to all whom it applies, I'm particularly grateful). Summer has arrived, believe it or not. The non-stop rains (17 of the past 21 days) have most everybody shuttered indoors, perhaps humming that tune 'Don't fence me in'...



(I had to segue that pic into this post somehow...)

Even here at 'in the valley' headquarters we're not completely immune to the forces inclement. While we normally won't allow a little rain to keep us from exercising our right to exercise, we've unfortunately been struck with the extraordinary double-whammy of rain coupled with one of our members' recent handicap...Mama down!



Kelly has joined the narrow, chosen ranks of "People who have actually sprained their ankles while gardening"....

But alas, no need to grimace...



...I dug up some pics of a quick sunset walk we did recently, at Ashley Reservoir in Holyoke, to keep focused on the dry days ahead and to remind that all is not soaked...

The sun - remember the sun? - is especially gorgeous when it's low to the horizon, casting horizontally through the trees. And we got there just in time to see it light up the woods, seemingly from within...



As always, what makes Ashley so special is the way the paths run through the thick woods, and then suddenly give way to wide open water...





The bulk of the springtime wildflowers have already peaked, but tenaciously hold on to their colors as they succumb to time.



A quick salute to the the proud fathers of the Kingdom Animalia...



(Did I mention how grateful I was..?)



...And we finish the short loop, just as the last of the sun tucked itself away...



Ok, summer. Bring it...