The Journey Inward

There’s a reservoir across from my gym, a place I’ve camped, raced, kayaked and swam at for years.

To get to the entrance, you go farther north, turn left at the light and drive down a ways. Because I get out of class at 7:15 or 7:30, I’ve never thought to drive up there, knowing it would soon be dark.

But tonight, on my drive home south, I noticed some people walking at the foot of the reservoir wall. Curious, and knowing I had at least another hour or so of daylight, I wended my way into a small parking lot and set off on foot. I had never been on this side of the reservoir.

My daughter had called to chat, and so I stuck in an AirPod to take her with me. We chatted all things tennis, as she had spent the last three days at the DC open and I will be coming in just a few days for our time together there. 

But I was still able to take in the winding path, the beautifully manicured backyards of homes overlooking the water, the assortment of trees, the calls of familiar and unfamiliar birds, and of course, the constant glimpses of water. As I came to the end of my path, the sun was beginning to sink in the sky, creating a gorgeous mirror effect in the water.

A serendipitous find, a charming walk, and a beautiful body of water. What a way to wind down a Monday.

Photos: Spruce Run Reservoir, Clinton, NJ. 7.21.25 by LA