View Full Version : Nature
I’m not a regular participant on the spirituality threads because I’m not especially spiritual. But reading the nature thread from November got me thinking. We live in an apartment and our only outdoor spaces are a deck off our bedroom and a narrower patio downstairs, off the living room. While I enjoy sitting in the deck and reading books it’s not ‘nature’ by almost any definition of nature. And thankfully there are no leaves to mulch.
However, Over the past year or so I’ve been getting out of the city every weekend, oftentimes both days, to go hiking in various county parks and various places in the golden gate national recreation area. Today as I was slogging up a 1,200 foot elevation gain in the middle of a gorgeous redwood forest just south of the city I realized that the only time when I truly forget about my problems or the nation’s problems, or any problems bigger than ‘my foot hurts’ is when I’m out hiking. Going uphill I am focused on ‘inhale, two, three, exhale, two, three’ in time with my steps and going downhill I tend to focus on ‘wow! This place is beautiful.’ Occasionally I stop to take a picture or two but they just don’t do justice to how I feel in the moment.
iris lilies
2-16-20, 12:01am
It would be nice to be so close to the big redwood trees. I’m sure they are magical.
I think you are right about that, jp.. I really enjoy walks in the woods--it really does take you into the moment and away from civilization, which can be a very good thing at times. We have two state parks on the island, and one of them has a 1.7 mile loop through the woods and along a bay and it's just right for me. I'm sure you've heard of "forest bathing"--the Japanese concept of immersion in nature and the woods just for the pure sensory experience of it.
https://time.com/5259602/japanese-forest-bathing/
And I agree with IL, I haven't yet been to Muir Woods or any redwood forest but have always wanted to go. It must be amazing.
Having been to Muir Woods, I was amazed at the stature of the trees and how tiny it actually was. The courage and effort that it took to protect it is a wonderful story of human endeavour that later generations get to enjoy.
As a country girl, nature is my favourite environment and I fiercely protect it from commercial limited and destructive thinking.
Glad to read that you find it refreshing. When a Girl Guide leader, I took young girls hiking and camping in nature and it was wonderful to see their delight as many had never had the exposure before.
happystuff
2-16-20, 9:34am
Would love to see a redwood tree in person! I have always enjoyed being out in nature, but will admit to becoming a home-body the last couple of years. I think it may be time to step out again. Thanks for this wonderful reminder!
iris lilies
2-16-20, 10:36am
Our Missouri cypress trees share similar characteristics to the sequoias—they are reddish, grow very tall, live a long time, and are deciduous needled trees. Those dropped needles form the carpet in the redwood forests that make those areas extra special.
I have a cypress on our Hermann property which is the biggest tree I have ever had. It is a beauty.On this thread
I will be respectful of trees because they do have their place in our lives.
p.s. I just looked it up to see that cypress and sequoias are closely related.
rosarugosa
2-16-20, 11:27am
Being in nature is definitely my happy place. I went to Muir Woods when I was too young to really appreciate it.
I love nature but mainly walk around my neighborhood. I do not feel it is safe to walk by myself in isolated areas. Joining a hiking group has crossed my mind but I am cheap and do not want to pay dues. Sometimes I do find people to go on walks with me but not as often as I would like.
Simplemind
2-16-20, 12:17pm
Although we live in the city our house is in the suburbs and backs up to a large greenspace and trail system. Our home is in a cul-de-sac and when you leave the front to go to the back there is no sense of being in the city anymore. Our lot is pie shaped and the house is in the small corner. The back opens up to a little over an acre of lawn surrounded by a creek, woods and miles of trails. The further you go out into the trail system you get no sense of being in an urban area at all. We have several walks we do with the dogs and often never run into another person. We have left it unfenced in the back so several times a day we have deer or coyotes passing through the yard. We did a lot of camping last year and realized that more often than not, home was a more tranquil experience of the outdoors. Definitely fewer people and people sounds.
I love watching the seasons pass and how the woods change from year to year. It brings me peace and serenity.
catherine
2-16-20, 12:33pm
I love watching the seasons pass and how the woods change from year to year. It brings me peace and serenity.
I agree. I'm not crazy about winter, but I would never live in a boring climate where you could pre-record the weather forecast like Steve Martin did in LA story. The seasons represent the circle of life to me, and each is to be revered.
Nature is where it's at, for sure! I would fade away and die without it giving me constant pleasure and comfort. I live out in the country. I just wouldn't make it in town.
This past week I've seen all different kinds of birds, heard owls, saw all sorts of animal tracts in the snow, had bluebirds at my heated birdbath heater, and for the first time saw 2
coyotes in the yard. Yes, winter can be a depressing time, in spite of all it has to offer, but these little animal treasures (and incredible sunrises and sunsets through the trees), keep me going.
I hope everyone gets the pleasure and peace that can be gotten, if you just let Mother Nature in.
Most of my hiking doesn't include redwoods, but there are plenty of pretty things out there that aren't redwoods. Tomorrow I'm going back to do a different trail in the park where I took the first photo below. The reviews of the trail on alltrails.com say that it is worth the 50 mile round-trip drive for me.
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Teacher Terry
2-16-20, 11:24pm
We love being out in nature. I also love to sit in my backyard. We take the dogs walking in great parks and by the river. We have been to many national Parks which has been awesome.
That's what the outdoors does for me too, jp. Anytime. Any season. The last several years I've even been embracing being out in winter. Something about the clear, blue, cold skies and bright snow just lifted me.
rosarugosa
2-18-20, 6:20pm
Kay: Bonus points for not letting cold weather keep you indoors!
Hiking is the best! Having access to so many beautiful options here in the Bay Area tempers the high cost of living. One of my greatest joys is taking children hiking, especially in woodsy and hilly parks. They scamper happily along like little goats, loving every minute of it and magnifying the pleasure of the hike by sharing the experience with them.
Simplemind
2-19-20, 6:30pm
Today was a glorious dry sunny day. First mow of the season and now I can see all the daffodils on the perimeter much easier. The dogs got to play Frisbee and swim in the creek. There were so many wild onions that when they are mowed it smells like fresh chopped onion and I start craving a burger or hot dog. I was covered in grass and it is supremely satisfying. If it wasn't so cool and early in the day I would be sitting on an Adirondack chair with a beer. Bliss I'm telling ya!!
The Peace of Wild Things
Wendell Berry
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
The Peace of Wild Things
Wendell Berry
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
One of my favorite poems.
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