Project Athena - Day 290 (Bridges)

"Mile into the Wild" Walkway

I spent the day at the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg with Lara and our niece, Tasha. The mile long, raised walk way is truly incredible in terms of offering the public a birds eye view of all the habitats as well as it being non disruptive to the animal who have found sanctuary at this home.

Every time I visit this 720 acre refuge, I am more in awe of the long term vision this organization has for caring for its rescued lions, tigers, bears, and wolves. The facility itself is a testament to quality of care they give these animals. Knowing they could not add stress to the already troubled animals by allowing the public in to view their habitats at ground level, they simply chose to not allow visitors at all for many years. It wasn't until 2002 that the sanctuary was able to build this ingenious, unobtrusive observation system. The animals do not consider the sky part of their territory and could care less about all the strangers that come to see them everyday.

This innovative concept of elevated walkways and viewing decks is such a remarkable breakthrough, it is changing the way other facilities where wild animals are kept in captivity design their observations systems, protecting the dominion and freedom of the animals.

"Mile into the Wild" Walkway

Fujifilm X-E2 • Fuji XF18-135mm lens • 25.4mm • F20 • 1/75s • ISO 200
 

Project Athena - Day 273 (Freebie)

This Path is a Good Path

There was a time in my life when I believed that there was only one True Path (i.e. religion, healing modality, way of being in the world) and that everyone must be on that Path to reach enlightenment (heaven, nirvana, peace, happiness, bliss, freedom). That arrogance and false nobility cost me so much including friendships, love and acceptance of myself, and a sense of inner peace.

I don't know when things shifted exactly, but some where along my own path I came to realize that there are many good paths, deeply satisfying paths that lead to other good paths, and so far, this is all I know from my direct experience. I have yet to arrive at any place I would call enlightenment but I do feel peaceful and freedom not worrying so much about what path everyone else is taking. The simplicity of just knowing that I am on a good path (for me) makes life much more enjoyable.

Wood Pathway

Fujifilm X-E2 • Fuji XF18-135mm lens • 18mm • F/22 • 1/25s • ISO 200