The fall season has begun, leaves are changing, cooler air is being ushered in, things I enjoy. It’s also the time of year that waders come out. I try to prolong not using them as much as possible. I find that the feeling of the water over my bare skin enhances my experience while balancing. One of the elements of life that has the capability of soothing, healing, making one feel content. As much as I dread using them, inevitably the waders must come out to continue stone balancing year round. Much like my fall tolerance to the waters turning too cold to immerse myself in, this balance didn’t come easy… The first build took an hour to achieve. This was a case where shims under my bottom rock (not the true bottom rock), but the first one I place on top of what nature has set on its own, would’ve made the balance happen quicker. Ethically I feel this practice has no place in stone balance and is far too much like cheating. Two successful builds failed before a single photo was taken. Frustration took hold and defeat was beginning to seem a harsh reality. Limiting myself to a final attempt, harnessed all remaining focus to rebuild the curved spine and wearily lifted the massive top stone to its intended resting place. Less than 10 minutes later, it happened. Here are a few photos from a recent Linn Run stone balance session. Welcome fall!

Recent works from Linn Run State Park in Rector, PA.  A slight preview for the magnificent colorful season that is about to happen. ❤  Check my Linn Run Gallery page for 2015 work in the park.  Stone balance ❤

So there’s this beautiful location in Ohiopyle State Park that I’ve wanted to visit for quite some time. I’ve run past it many times, gawking at the rocks from high above on the trail. To get to it would require serious effort, but it needed to happen in my eyes. Yesterday was the day. I made the hike in and descended this incredibly steep hillside gaining access to some of the most beautiful rocks I’ve ever seen. I made my way through this dried up bed eyeing thousands of amazing stones. Eventually I came to the river and determined where I was going to balance. I began the process of seeking out stones. As I bent down to pick up a beauty, I quickly noticed a Copperhead about an arms length away. Yup, definitely got my attention. Upon closer inspection, I noticed and even larger one behind the nearest one. Throughout my day I encountered 5 overall. Each trip picking through the stones proved to be more exciting than the previous. Most of them stayed in their “day” location, until the sun went down and then they all scattered to who knows where. I worked until near dark, photographing my balances. When it was time to leave, I realized the batteries in my flashlight were dead and my phone battery died hours ago, leaving me in near darkness to return through the obviously snake infested rocks. Needless to say my kind woods karma paid off. I made it back to the trail with nothing more than mosquito bites. I love the beauty of Copperheads (when I know where they are). The days adventure sure paid off. Can’t wait to go back 🙂

Added a bunch of new work in the 2015 Select Balances galleries.  Under that section you’ll find sub galleries sorted by location to help those looking for photos from a specific area such as Ohiopyle, Jacob’s Creek, etc.

I spent a few wonderful, sunny days in Ohiopyle at the end of the week.  Here are a few of the balances that resulted.

With plentiful rain most of the last month, it’s been hard to get much stone balancing done. Not because I don’t enjoy sitting out in the rain. Creek waters have been muddy and high up on the stream banks, touching the forest, leaving few rocks to select from. Actually I enjoy working in the rain. It’s rather tranquil and doesn’t change the properties of balancing stones. It does however prevent me from the nerve wracking task of wetting down the stone balances to help bring the true stone colors out for photos. I spent a mostly dreary day along Meadow Run in Ohiopyle State Park. The water was running at about twice “normal” volume, severely limiting my choices for stones. I discovered a small eddy that had a small beach of stones from which to select.  I wrangled up a few nice selections and set off to balancing. Throughout the day there was a period of heavy downpour which created a wonderful, muted background resulting in some nice photos of what I had built. I hope you enjoy 🙂

Here’s some highlights of the stone balances I created around the Laurel Highlands region of Pennsylvania. May-June 2015 ❤