Blog #37: A Sacred Stroll
Today is a divine day -- the first sign of sun after heavy rains, and my first completely solo day in who knows how long.
Everything in my body tells me to raincheck plans with a friend and embark on a medicine walk. I just need to see the lush green hills, sync my energy with Mama Earth, and touch the spirit of the land. Sometimes you just gotta prioritize self care.
Finding parking is nearly impossible at the Fryman Canyon trailhead, but luckily the neighborhood parking is plentiful. I wander a bit around those big, beautiful houses, and find my way to the part of the loop where people usually end their hike. I feel like a lone fish swimming against the current. Our contrast feels especially dramatic because this entire part is uphill for me, downhill for them. As I feel the burn and sweat first striking my body, everyone else is on their triumphant cool down. I pop in my headphones, throw off my sweatshirt, and push each muscle to the top. I have the comforting thought that once I reach the peak, I can take a rest, pull out my journal, and eventually decide if I want to return the same way I came, or continue the reverse loop all the way through. “Just push for a few more strides, you’re almost there, Maya.”
Overlook from Betty B. Dearing Trail
A few marches later, I gaze out to a panoramic view of the canyon. I find myself a beautiful bench at the top, tucked away from the people. I feel completely embraced by tall trees; deep green absorbing every corner of my eye. This is where I’m supposed to be. I pull out my journal and start listing my gratitude:
Loving my own company
Finding something I lost a long time ago
Being surrounded by trees as I write
Reaching the top of this hill, I can’t thank my body enough.
Rockin with Mama’s spirit
Perfecting arroz rojo
Connecting people over food
A full tank of gas
Owning my freedom
Bench near TreePeople headquaters
I take a couple grounding breaths and feel the spirit of the trees lift my own spirit. In that quiet moment, the trees convince me that I’m ready to persist -- there is more Mother Nature wants to share with me. I take a few bites of energy in the form of an ube bun, when a little bee ushers me out of my seat. It’s time to continue my adventure…
The sun is at its peak when I find my way to the more secluded loop at the tip top of the mountain. Last time I was here, I was right in coyote territory and had a brief encounter with a wild pup that shook me. Probably a good idea for me to lose the headphones so I can listen to my surroundings… As I walk through, I feel adrenaline start to pump through my veins. Miss Mother Nature, please let me just get through this part without disturbing a coyote! Each little rattle in the bushes makes the hair on my body stand up. Did I mention that rattlesnakes also live up here? For a very popular trail, no one seems to be up here with me. I start to think that’s for a good reason. As my eyes dart through the brush and my heart beats louder, a little creature jumps out and disarms me. It’s just a little bunny :) I stop in my tracks and watch this cutie take a beat, then hop into the brush where he camouflages. I giggle to myself and thank Mother Nature for allowing us to cross paths. My energy starts to shift, as I lose my fear and surrender to the place that is firstly a good home to so much life.
Brush Rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani)
As I strut down this empty path, I start talking to myself out loud. No one can hear me, other than the flora and fauna. I thank Mother Nature for bringing me out of my home this morning, and into hers. For protecting and loving me. For soaking the land with her tears and bringing so much abundance. For allowing me to see all the colors -- especially blues, greens, browns, and yellows. For providing the sunshine and warming my brown skin. The list goes on and on, until I interrupt myself and start reciting what I could remember from my poem “Past life regression of a tree”:
“I think I was a tree in a past life…
Didn’t have a name, couldn’t walk or talk
But I was my own home
My bark, my branches, my leaves
Grew strong and healthy
Like veins, running life through me…
Who were the original caretakers
Of this ethereal playground?
Who absorbed its healing magic?
Who is telling their story now…”
My heart starts to swell with love for the land and myself. Whenever I talk to Mother Nature, she always talks back. As if on cue, I stumble upon two big oaks standing tall next to each other. A patch of happy grass dresses them like a skirt, and is illuminated by spotty sunshine. A perfect place to rest under the shade of Mama Oak’s big arms. I set down my belongings and get into a standing tree pose, then dancer pose, then eagle pose. I breathe deeply and set an intention to continue appreciating and protecting this place that I love so much. I feel myself fully enjoying the quiet company of nature; this moment feels golden.
Holly oak (Quercus ilex) - my best guess for this tree
An intrusive thought strikes me -- I want to climb this tree. My logical brain would typically shut it down immediately. What if I fall? What if I can’t get down and someone steals my stuff instead of helping? What if no one comes at all? Something overcomes me, as I wave these thoughts away. I just want to see if I can do it. I find a spot for my foot, then immediately feel it crush into the space as I reach for the next step -- I don’t think that’s the best way to go. I orient myself to the opposite side, find my footing, then haul myself up once again. A few more careful steps and strong grabs later, and I find myself fully straddling a sturdy branch, probably 8ish feet in the air. The rush I feel is INSANE! My legs are suspended; the ground looks so far away. I did it!!! I don’t waste much time before deciding to come back down. The dismount is really important, and if someone walks by, I don’t really want them to see me dangling up here.
I land on the ground safely, and a stupid smile reaches across my face. I still don’t know what possessed me to climb the tree, but I’m so glad I did. A friend recently told me that it’s good for your nervous system to try new things. I pat myself on the back for treating my nervous system, and take a few more deep breaths to return to equilibrium. If I really was a tree in a past life, then I was giving a hearty hug to my living ancestor. I give my thanks to Mama Oak and continue on.
Mere steps away, I spot a coyote across the trail! There’s a good amount of distance between us -- safe enough for me to pull out my phone and test the zoom on my camera. A beautiful, wild canine and I share yet another moment. It stares at me with intent, not malice. Not another soul is here on the trail to witness this majestic creature. I feel like the luckiest girl on the mountain. Yet another wave of gratitude floods over me. I don’t know how this medicine walk could get any better.
Coyote (Canis latrans)
I advance through a field, where the original Ethereal Environmentalist photos were taken. Fond memories flicker through my mind, while my eyes wander to the ground scattered with holes. I realize that there’s a bunch of burrowing animals down here. I keep my eyes peeled and… aha! A little gopher peeks out to say hello. I am in awe of Mother Nature today. When she speaks, I listen -- and vice versa. It appears that all her friends are out, enjoying the sunshine today. I am a humble guest in their home.
Botta's Pocket Gopher (Thomomys bottae)
As I reach the last stretch of the gopher field, I am lulled by a bird song. Their trills sound different than anything I've heard before. Or maybe, I’m just resonating on their same wavelength. Their sound literally vibrates in my body, and leaves me with a euphoric feeling. I hang in the silent break for a moment, hoping to hear their song once more. They’re nestled deep in the trees, but make their presence known effortlessly. I think to myself: I wish I had a set of binoculars.
At last, I join the majority of hikers on the paved path to make my final descent. Everyone I pass is just starting their adventure. Many of them walk in groups of 2, 3, or 4. Some huffing and puffing already, some full on jogging up the hill. I hear short snippets of conversations -- some girl group is gossiping about a man in their life, a couple appears to be on a date with coffees in hand, a full family is trying to wrangle their kids to stay in a pack. As much as I love company, I am glad to have this morning to myself. Alone time with nature is so sacred.
I can see the end of the trail at this point, but I’m not ready to leave without capturing one more picture. I look up at a young tree -- her beautiful network of branches and leaves goes in every direction. Sporadic, yet intentional. She’s backlit by the gorgeous sun, so she casts an ethereal shadow onto the lush grass at her feet. My uncle once told me that no one tells a tree how to grow. She just does. That is the force of her spirit. I try to capture her spirit, when BOOM! A leaf flies down and forcefully strikes my hand which holds the camera. I let out a *yelp* and look around to see if anyone else witnessed that. It happened so quickly, that through my lens, I momentarily mistook the leaf for a bird. I laugh to myself and interpret it as Mother Nature’s acknowledgement of my time spent with her. A wave goodbye, if you will. :)
Young tree, backlit by the sun
While my intention was to ground my energy in nature, I achieved something unexpected -- the inspiration to write again. When I restore my spiritual connection with Mother Earth, everything just flows. I’m reminded of my purpose and release all insecurities. I was born to be a free explorer, and help restore the harmonious connection we all have with nature. I’m left with a replenished spirit, and the will to share my lens with the world once again.
If you’re reading this, I thank you whole heartedly. <3
