Columcille Megalith Park, May 9, 2021

May 10, 2021

Today we went back for a visit to Columcille Megalith Park in the Appalachian mountains. I was here for the first time last summer, and it truly is a magical place. Even if you’re not particularly spiritual or in tune with the nature spirits, you can’t help but feel their high vibrations here as you walk the sacred grounds.

A little about Columcille as I noted in a previous blog post:

Columcille is a hidden gem located in Bangor, PA. It is the creation of the late William Cohea, Jr. who was inspired by a dream he had after visiting Iona, a small island on the western coast of Scotland. According to ancient history, the early Celts considered Iona a place where the veil is thin and one’s spirit could easily travel between worlds. There were once over 350 standing stones on the isle along with sacred oak groves. Inspired by his vision, Mr. Cohea made his dream reality in 1975 when he created Columcille.

We quietly walked the grounds through the circle of standing stones and followed the path into the forest leading us to enchanted sites and ritual circles. We stepped through the Celtic Eye which led us down to a small stream where the banks were abound with skunk cabbage and wildflowers. We circled the faerie ring path and noticed an orange carnelian crystal charging in the morning sunlight. Lastly, we walked the labyrinth where offerings can be laid upon the stone alter if one so chooses.

I left Columcille feeling inspired and rejuvenated.

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Appalachian Trail, Fox Gap to Wolf Rocks, 4.8 Miles RT, July 12, 2020

July 12, 2020

Today I wanted to hike some of the Appalachian Trail. I figured it would be a nice way to experience more of the terrain and try out the rock scrambles because that seems to be a common thing here. After I got on the road, I realized that I’d forgotten my camera. Ugh. So all of my photos were taken with my mobile phone.

I started this hike at the Fox Gap trailhead and did the Wolf Rocks Loop. The hike starts out mostly flat, but the terrain is rocky in most parts so you have to watch your step or you’ll stub your toe like I did about a million times.

The trail meanders through beautiful groves of fern and it looks like something out of a fairytale at times. There isn’t much elevation to gain until you reach the boulders where you’ll scramble your way up to the ridge to the overlook. Once on the ridge you’ll boulder hop your way across. You can pick any of the outcroppings to climb up and check out the views. I could see a little above the tree line and make out some of the area’s high points, one of which is called Pimple Hill, a summit in Monroe County that stands at 2,197’. What a funny name. We sat for a bit on the boulders and enjoyed the cool morning breeze before heading back. It was a fun early morning hike and we saw only a few people on this trail. I would like to come back to this trailhead and next time hike it northbound from Fox Gap towards the Delaware Watergap.

Columcille Megalith Park, Bangor, PA, July 11, 2020

July 11, 2020

I woke up a little before 5 am on this Saturday morning. The cardinals were singing outside my bedroom window in the big maple tree as dawn was about to break. As much as I wanted to enjoy the birdsong and keep sleeping, I couldn’t get my mind off a place my aunt had shared with me called Columcille Megalith Park in the Appalachian mountains.

Within the grounds of this enchanted park you’ll find circles of standing stones, pathways to hidden sacred sites, a faerie ring (don’t be surprised if you see one), a winding labyrinth and a chapel, named after St. Columba. There is a beautiful bell tower with large quartz and lapis lazuli stones inset in the top of the stone building. The surrounding woods are filled with fern, wild mushrooms and toadstools. I could have lingered here all day. Each winding path led to something magical. It’s a wonderful place for a quiet walk or meditation. I will definitely be visiting again.