Times of #Social Distancing Bring Nature Into
Focus And Loved Ones
To Meander Together During #COVID
THIS FOREST BURNED I GOT TO HIKE IN IT 2 WEEKS BEFORE
A Fragile Spot in Big Basin Was My Sanctuary in July
Our landscapes here in California are fragile. Now more than ever, just get out and enjoy them. They are the best place to soak up anxiety, socially distance socialize and appreciate what's simply natural. Last month I drove to the redwoods right before the fires and the cliffs of Santa Cruz CA from Los Angeles to see my brother and two childhood friends. Then up to Marin County to hike above the Pacific in Tennessee Valley, Muir Beach and Stinson with a friend from a writing conference that I met in Greece, college friends and newer friends. My adventure was a patchwork of connecting in easy, playful, natural ways where we could just be together and soak up the moment. Whether I sat in a friend's yard and couldn't go inside after knowing them a lifetime, but walking 10 miles together in the woods and having plenty to share, the only rules are be safe and do what you need to do.
CASE IN POINT!
RIP this section post fire 8/20
We are lucky, we are healthy and know that can change in a day, so we breathe and move and find new places to get our spiritual nourishment. We mask if too close, we hike apart, we sit outside and we still connect. It's all about helping each other through and our environment. We can't take anything for granted, including magnificent forests. Thankfully many ancient redwoods survived.
On My Way Up Via Big Sur (solo here no people near)
Happily, most of my friends and my brother are all nature freaks! In keeping with the social distance protocols, we planned our time around the great outdoors. We caravanned to our hiking trails each of us dutifully following each other in cars where in the past, we would carpool! There was no judgement or questioning about how we would convene to the temple of the redwoods and open spaces where we could talk, walk, and be blissfully ourselves. The comfort zone was the shared passion for nature, being with old and new established bonds. The appreciation, so much more precious and memorable. This is my way of saying thank you to the great outdoors and my friends and family that enjoy the forest, the trees, the ocean and walking the path with each other.
My brother likes to hike barefoot now (he has a mask at the ready), and I tried it for half a mile, pulling me into the present moment as I tried not to step on rocks or a twig. We chatted and took deep breaths of fresh air going over past trips in other countries, of living in Ireland or marveling at the earth and trees surrounding us. It was like taking a nourishing bath in timeless connection.
Another great hiking spot in the Santa Cruz Mountains Pogoniip Trail that didn't burn!
I always liked to be in nature and now it is the container where many of us feel safer. The air and sky, the ability to be together without having to talk the whole time simply absorbing the atmosphere is the best medicine. It is my preferred method of hanging out if not in front of a big plate of food with friends and family. Now during COVID daze, we walk, we frolic, we don't care if we don't have major events to report, or stories to tell of ongoing action. We are just being and moving through nature. I find myself connecting with friends from my childhood, adolescence and college days and we don't have to have everything in common. We just want to find ways to stay inspired and together.
Muir Beach Pirate's Cove With My Writer Pal
My hiking soul sister since we were teens!
https://www.onslowlife.com/2020/08/-bound-by-nature-my-not-so-social-distant-bonds.html
Hiking in Marin During COVID keeping It Real & Distant Enough
Again, thank you nature for being the eternal temple for all of our various souls to walk together in a jumble of confusion, grounded moments, anxiety, surrender, and uncertainty.
A shout out to my Santa Monica Mountain hiker pal
Westridge Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains
I hope you #slow down in #nature if you have the opportunity to be out there with a friend, a pet, your thoughts and sweet nature to bring you home.
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