The trees speak to us

Life is one beautiful trip.

Joelle and I have intentionally divided our time between ocean and forest. Both have life-giving and life-affirming energy. At first, we were drawn by the aesthetics, the beautiful landscapes that rolled out before us. Yet one cannot appreciate the full gift of an environment just passing through, encased in the protective shell of an automobile.

Our campsite is next to that tree on the right.

The magic of mother nature, was never so surprising as it was when we started our hike into Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

The verdant landscape is akin to a Momma dog letting her newborn pups frolic across her reclined form. Nature receives us with the same patience and acceptance.

The breeze is a constant whisper in the tops of the trees. The air is cool and clean. As we pass beneath the redwoods, they emit a creaking, tapping, and wooing. As we walk further the sound stops. We retrace our steps, and the sounds repeat. The trees are speaking to us.

We find ourselves in a circle of trees. The center tree is now a blackened, burned-out spire, pointing to the sky. We are so enchanted, we sit, remain silent, listen, and breathe.

What's with the bells Ladies?

 Joelle and I are dutifully wearing our bear bells, as strongly advised by my dear friend Guy. The delicate tinkling is enchanting, and we sound like a tiny gypsy caravan of two. We encounter hikers coming in the opposite direction who stop and exchange pleasantries. They ask about the bells. We explain they are to ward off the bears.

The man responds, “Wow, I’ve never heard of that before. Makes sense I suppose. But what about the mountain lions?” I give this some thought, not having really considered mountain lions as a threat prior to this.

“Well, I’ve had a good run, and my son would have one hell of a story to tell. Not many people can say, ‘Momma was eaten by a mountain lion.’”

We continue our walk and are joined by three deer. The first deer leaps into our path, stops, turns toward us, and observes us as if we are a zoo exhibit. Her two buck companions remain above us, on the steep hill, racing forward, and then returning. Each time they come parallel, Joelle and I stop. We don’t want to be accidentally knocked down the steep slope to our left, as this happy family navigates the landscape that is their familiar home.

Seems deer are not at all deterred by bear bells.

Joelle is one heck of a fire-builder. Photo by Joelle Mann.