Dreaming In Summer's Time ...

“Summertime is always the best

 of what might be.”

                           ~ Charles Bowden, journalist

                                     ~ 1945-2014
                      

 Summertime … the pace is a bit slower, the air sweeter, the sunshine warmer and brighter … a perfect time to dream of what might be. 

Summertime’s essence is palpable in this artistic view of a canoe and a pair of sneakers waiting for their owners to explore the waters of Hopewell Lake. I shot this on a beautiful July afternoon at the lake in French Creek State Park, Elverson, Pennsylvania.

The 7,526 acre park straddles northern Chester County and southern Berks County along French Creek and is located in the Hopewell Big Woods.

Set amidst the old, quaint and picturesque farmland of southeast Pennsylvania, French Creek State Park offers two lakes – Hopewell and Scotts Run – extensive forests and almost 40 miles of hiking trails. Adjacent to the park lies Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site that features a cold-blast furnace restored to its 1830s appearance.

French Creek State Park was chosen by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and its Bureau of State Parks as one of “25 Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks.”

Peace On The Hillside ...

"There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me."

                     ~ "Peace In The Valley"
                   ~ Written by Thomas A. Dorsey
                                        ~ 1937
              ~ Recorded by the great Elvis Presley
                                        ~ 1957 

Bright wild yellow mustard brushes a soft peace on a sun-filled May afternoon on a hillside of the Central Range of the Trexler Nature Preserve, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, the only sounds the rustling of the spring breeze and the coo of a mourning dove. Perfect.

The color yellow is often associated with peace and happiness.

To me, this scene illustrates the still and serene beauty of God’s creation painted in that beautiful Gospel hymn “Peace in the Valley,” recorded by the great Elvis Presley in 1957.

 
                  

Song Of The Early Spring ...

"...Who made the flowers to bloom in the spring
Who made the song for the robins to sing
And who hung the moon in the starry sky
Somebody bigger than you and I ..."
               ~ "Somebody Bigger Than You and I"
     written by Johnny Lange, Hy Heath & Sonny Burke
                    ~recorded by the great Elvis Presley
                                                    ~ 1967 

A robin sings its beautiful song in the early spring at Trexler Memorial Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

This painterly capture of a sweet robin in March
epitomizes the line in my most favorite Gospel hymn, the beautiful "Somebody Bigger Than You And I," recorded by the great Elvis Presley in 1967. 

       

An Evening Reflection ...

"As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God."
                                                                      ~  Psalm 42, Verse 1 

Beautiful white-tailed deer doe takes a drink in the creek on a waning
summer evening in the park.

I've been blessed to photograph this doe and and her fawns for more than three
years, and it's a true joy to me personally and as a photographer. 

Saturday Night Lights ...

"When I admire the wonders of a sunset
or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands
in the worship of the creator."
                                                       ~ Mahatma Gandhi
                                                                           ~ 1869-1948

A stunning  summer sunset echoes and shimmers on a Saturday evening across
Leaser Lake in the shadow of the northern Blue Mountain Ridge,
New Tripoli, Pennsylvania.

The lake's namesake is Frederick Leaser, who in September 1777
with his farm team hauled The Liberty Bell from Philadelphia
to Allentown where it was concealed in Zion Reformed Church.

His homestead is located one mile north of the lake. 

Fording The Jordan ...

"Never give up, for that is just the place and time
that the tide will turn."
                       ~ Harriet Beecher Stowe
                                  ~ 1811-1896

Visitors to the Trexler Nature Preserve, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania ford the Jordan Creek just before sunset in December.
For more than 50 years kids and kids at heart have enjoyed driving through the creek. 

Ford Every Stream ...

"Climb every mountain,
Ford every stream ...
Till you find your dream."
                  ~ "Climb Every Mountain"
                                       ~ "The Sound of Music"
                                                 ~ Rodgers & Hammerstein, 1959

Even the family dog seems to enjoy the summer morning ride to 
Ford the Jordan Creek at Trexler Nature Preserve,
Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.  
For more than 50 years kids and kids at heart have
enjoyed driving through the creek. 

By The Master's Brush ...

"If I can put one touch of rosy sunset
into the life of any man or woman, 
I shall feel that 
I have worked with God."
                ~ G.K. Chesterton
                                   ~ 1874-1936


God gives a master class in
painting the sky with this
summer sunset in June
at Trexler Memorial Park,
Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Aspirations ...

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations.
I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, 
believe in them, and try to follow where they lead."
                                                       ~ Louisa May Alcott
                                                                           (1832-1888)

Sweet and gentle mourning dove is perched on a wire
on a May afternoon at Wehr's Covered Bridge Park,
Orefield, Pennsylvania. 

In The Pink ...

"I believe in pink ... I believe that tommorrow is another day,
and most importantly, I believe in miracles."
                                                 ~ Audrey Hepburn

Nothing says spring like a flowering cherry tree on an 
April day at Trexler Memorial Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania.