“The point is that when I see a sunset or a waterfall or something, for a split second it’s so great, because for a little bit I’m out of my brain, and it’s got nothing to do with me.  I’m not trying to figure it out, you know what I mean?  And I wonder if I can somehow find a way to maintain that mind stillness.”  — Chris Evans

That’s me walking into the waterfall at Stoney Brook Park in Dansville, New York (click on the pic for park info).  From where I stood in the water looking up, it was a complete moment of awe and, yes, bliss. As I got closer and it washed over me like the most powerful shower imaginable, I felt the stress of the end of the school year being pounded out of me.   At that moment, nothing else mattered.

Another trip I took this week as part of my Follow My Bliss campaign was with my daughter, Illy and my granddaughter, Jordan.  I had taken all the kids when they were younger, but this was Jojo’s first time, and it was exciting to see her eyes get big as we rounded the bends while hiking the creek and came upon larger waterfalls each time.

This was the beginning of our journey just as we were getting ready to enter the creek and approach each waterfall right from the water itself.

The first waterfall was relatively small, and she practically skipped up it.

Illy had to carry Jojo at this point because she was afraid of the rushing water as the falls got bigger and bigger.

She was starting to get a little braver by this point, but as she got closer, she turned away from her mom and ran back to shore with me.

I loved the sound of the water rushing over the rocks.

Three generations of women simply enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer…

…and leaving a temporary mark on the site that was immortalized by my camera.

The final waterfall at the end of the trail…and look what I see:

I just couldn’t resist.

And I just want to point out that I climbed these stairs with no huffing, puffing, gasping, or stopping because I am NOT SMOKING!!  I simply walked up them right to the top as if walking up a regular flight of stairs.  And when I came down later, I was able to walk down with one foot right after the other instead of stepping down with my right foot each time and bringing my left next to it.  That’s how I came down all stairs for years after I injured my knee.  Now with all the exercise I am doing, my legs are strong enough for climbing!

That is blissful.