~~ Soul Journey ~~

Today I took a soul journey.. I have been very stressed for a while now due to many things going on in my life right now at home and work and I was in desperate need for some me time. I kept going back and forth in my head about where to go and decided to follow my heart not my head.. So I went to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens.

This is only my second trip there… But what better time to go to the gardens then in spring. So off I went.. I got some water and sunscreen and was on my way. When I got there it wasn’t busy.. some Walkers, Families, Grandparents with their grandkids and some couples young and old.. Here to enjoy the day and also hoping to catch a glimpse of the nesting Bald Eagles.. Who have successfully hatched 3 young eagles. They are growing and if you go to the gardens you can watch them on a live cam. However don’t expect to get close.. they blocked off their nesting area so they can have peace while they raise their young and also for are protection as well.

When I got there I decided to take the paths to the right.. most were going to the left.. But I went the way I was draw to go. I walk along the river they made which runs all around the gardens .. you can even take guided boat tours. I was headed through the Rose Gardens (not yet in bloom) and I spied an artist with brush in hand and easel ready to capture her imagination. I continued my walk.. taking photo’s of anything that captures my soul and taking in the wonderful feeling of nature. I come to an area of paths.. in front of me is two sets of paths.. one with a wood walk way to the left and another with no walkway just a path through the wood to the right. I took the path to the right.. and here is where my journey truly began.

I was alone on this path.. surrounded by nature.. listening to the birds chirping.. bull frogs croaking.. This path leads near the waters edge and walking along I am welcomes by some new friends who for most of my journey were my guides.. They were turtles.. I was amazed.. Through out my journey today I seen about hundred turtles.. All shapes and sizes.. leading me on my path.. about half way through I meant a very wise turtle. I stood there and had a long conversation with her. She was an older very wise turtle and a very good listener. She knew I was on a long hard path in life right now and that I am searching for my true happiness in life. She new the answer to what I seek.. But a wise person (or animal) knows that you can’t tell someone the answers.. they much find out for them selves.. but you can help guide them and show them things they may not have seen on their own. After a little while we both knew it was time for me to move on and I said thank you and ask her kindly if she minded it I took a few pictures of her.. she kindly obliged me and even posed and I was on my way. All along the path the turtles keep showing me which way to go and I followed never asking why.. after all they were being so kind and I never wanted to seem rude :) Where the turtles where not able to be there were other friends to help me along my way a.. little muskrat, an old fish and then the turtles lead me the rest of the way until I was no longer walking by the waters edge .. then another friend took over to lead me as far as he was meant to and this was a beautiful crow.

These friends took me on a wonderful, relaxing souls journey which I very much needed and I spent more then 4 hours walking and taking photo’s all over the gardens. It was a wonderful day filled with lots of knowledge I will carry with me. We are all connected in this world and we can learn much if we not only open our eye’s but our hearts and minds too.

The Photo’s above are of my new friends and others taken all over the Norfolk Botanical gardens today that I will be posting as days come. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking them.

P.S. Thank you Judi through your words and adventures reminding me to keep my eye's, heart and mind open to nature and the world I have always felt connected with. Thank you my friend..

All Photo by Kristal @ All Rights Reserved