I hit 50 this Saturday. For some time I had been mulling over two options for the day. One, hold a large party and invite everyone I know on the planet (and a few from adjacent galaxies), or two, run away to the woods. On reflection I chose the latter and it was indeed the better decision. I went up to Itasca State Park and the Mississippi Headwaters. It was all I could ask for. I splurged a bit on the Fireplace rooms.  This is a fourplex cabin where each room has it's own stone fireplace and a screened in porch.  I loved it! Having a fireplace in the room is a delight. The CCC bult cabin felt truly comfortable, cozy, not claustrophobic. The 1905 Lodge served good solid food at fair prices and everyone was warm and truly friendly. The fall colors were about 50% and very beautiful. I love fall it's my favorite time of year. Cool days and the vibrancy of nature's fireworks of changing fall colors. I hiked about 3 miles thru the woods on Saturday. Heading up to the Fire Watch tower where a 135 step climb took me over the top of the canopy and a vision of  green and gold with scarlet bursts thruout. Just exquisite!  On Sunday a short trip to the north end of the park brought me to the Mississippi Headwaters. Walking across that little stream knowing it would become the Father of Waters of over a mile in width by New Orleans was a thought to bend the mind around.   The North woods, fall colors, and fun small towns. A wonderful trip.
Turning 50 also led to philosophical reflections on age, and life etc. These I'll discuss in a separate post a bit later. 
There is also the simple fact that at 50 my warranty runs out, so i'll expect to start falling apart that much faster...just kidding...I hope.