Into the Woods: Hacklebarney State Park

It was another crisp, clear autumn day--much too pretty to stay inside--so when I picked up the kids from school, we headed straight out on an unplanned trip: Hacklebarney State Park in Chester, New Jersey. It's not far from us, it's free, it's gorgeous, and it's open year- round, so we visit frequently. It's also dog-friendly, so Delilah eagerly came along with us for the ride.

Surprisingly (given the fireworks of color in our own neighborhood this week), the leaves at Hacklebarney are still mostly green. But there were a few golden trees glinting in the sun...

...as well as a smattering of orange and red ones.

Being in full dress-up mode lately (Halloween right around the corner and all), Charlotte made this leaf into a makeshift mask:

Then the kids were off to explore the stream and waterfall, one of their favorite parts of Hacklebarney park. It's incredibly peaceful and meditative (even if you're a normally high-energy eight-year-old boy) to sit beside a stream as it burbles and meanders along through a forest.

It reminded me of a practice I keep coming across in my reading lately--something the Japanese call "Shinrin-yoku" or "forest bathing." It has nothing to do with actually getting wet--it's just about immersing yourself in the peacefulness of a forest, breathing in the scent of trees, as a way to cleanse your mind (and perhaps, as some studies suggest, boost your immune system). Turns out that I've been forest-bathing for over four decades now (see Beyond the Back Yard: The Roots of a Green Life.) It's definitely a practice I want to pass on to my children. Added benefit: It's the kind of "bathtime" they never seem to complain about.

After we'd had our "bath," we headed out of the park, once again seeing these wise words:

On our way home, we stopped at the nearby (and wonderful) Hacklebarney Farm (104 State Park Road in Chester, www.njcidermill.com), for their very own wood-pressed apple cider and homemade cinnamon donuts.

It was charming and cozy (the family of owners is also very friendly and helpful), and because it was late Friday afternoon, right before closing time, there wasn't even a crowd. Sweet!

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