Can You Love Like The Sun Plus The Dover Stone Church Adventure

Loving and Living at its finest.

Another Monday, and here you are! You freakin’ made it to another day and that’s pretty awesome news!

Rejoice in that and don’t let this day’s name (Monday) have an effect on what you can and will accomplish! I mean, you already won, you woke up, so what’s stopping you from going for more!??!

As you head into this day, this week, this new month, what if you did so much like the sun? What if you could treat every individual you meet with a new love and respect that left no expectations of anything in return? 

It’s a lot to ask right? Is it really though?

Is it hard to just be a little more light in everyone’s day, whether you know them or not? To be a little nicer, a little more helpful, a little more love?

When did the human race become one of expectations? The “if I do this for them, they will probably do this for me” or “if I do this, you owe me”…

When did “we” become so selfish?

Maybe that’s not you, maybe you have found the path to the agape kind of love.

Maybe you are that light?

Maybe you don’t need anything in return for what you do while also making sure others aren’t taking advantage of your kindness… Because that’s the other thing, when you are nice people may believe they can take advantage of that, though often they are wrong.

Even the quote “nice guys finish last”, in today’s day, I just don’t agree with.

“Nice guys” actually move forward faster, go up the ladder quicker. “Why?” Because those “nice guys” (and gals) will have the best leader mentality. They will have others appreciate who they are, what they do, and how they do it - they will prove time and time again that they deserve that next open position.

Plus, if not for anything else:

“Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, 'You owe me.' Look what happens with a love like that. It lights the whole sky.”

And Adventure Time Begins

Dover Stone Church -

It was a chilly morning, one of those chilly spring days that fell after one of those 65 degree spring days. The rain was on it’s way but for now, as we depart, the sun was shining!

West we go, driving the north west part of CT. Where the roads are perfectly paved, the turns banked, the tree lined streets filled with the desire to find the gas pedal.

The destination? Just over the New York border to Dover.

Here’s the thing with this adventure, if you don’t know it exists you’ll never realize it’s there.

While there is a sign on the road, there are also two houses side by side with a shared driveway which, in no way, looks like the place you should be going. This IS where you want to be going though.

If you go on a week day, you will need to find an establishment near by for parking. There is a plaza just a 2 minute walk away. During the weekend or evenings, you can park at the Dover Elementary School which is located at

9 School Street
Dover Plains, NY 12522

Once you head up the driveway you will find yourself at a set of stairs, taking you to a magical tree lined path. (or at least it’s probably magical when the trees are blooming).

Head across this clearing and you will come to a “welcome sign” with history of the “church”, how the native Americans hid in the cave from the British army and more history beyond that.

A nice part about this adventure is that almost anyone can make it to the cave and waterfall. It’s a pretty simple ½ mile walk from the car. A bridge or two to cross, some stone walk ways, but pretty safe for everyone. HOWEVER, getting into the cave may not be for everyone.

This probably depends on when you go, reason being, the water levels. We definitely had to thank our water proof boots which made it possible.

One tip of advice, if you go on the weekend go early. Probably true for just about any nice day. I am sure, without a doubt, that this place can get pretty busy and for me, it’s just not the same if there are a lot of others around. We were lucky because this adventure was all ours. Standing in the cave and feeling the waterfall behind us while looking out the church opening into the woods. The stories that these rocks surely held as secrets.

Another great part about this park though, is that if you want a hike to go along with your adventure, you get that too!

Thanks to the donation of land, there are three great hiking loops as well! If you’re up for it, hike all three to make it a solid day in the woods. One of the three a nice summit over looking the valley below and the mountain range in the distance.

All in all, if you’re in the northeast, Dover Stone Church is a great little get away. For those in CT., it’s just over the CT/NY line. We will be going back again for sure!

Visitors Guide to Dover Stone Church

As Always -

I believe in you,

~Tim