For the Soul

From all the activities we include in our busy lives few reward us with calm and peace.  I am fortunate to have the ability to do things in my life that offer me continued perspective, while being surrounded by the most beautiful landscapes and in the presence of great company.

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6 am wake-up.  

Oatmeal and tea.

Lace up my hiking shoes.

Pick up Hans.

Drive to Stinson Beach.

Hike begins.

Today's hike began on a grey, mild day in Stinson Beach.  Looking up Mount Tamalpais, Hans and I set stride, climbing quickly to our first lookout.  

Being the man in front I always jump into a hike full pace.  In a few short moments of climb Hans and I found ourselves quickly drenched in sweat and laughing.  It had been a while since our last hike, and today was a catchup with one another; we had no intention of taking it easy or taking it short.  We hurriedly scampered up the mountain taking one trail into another.

Although the sun was not victorious, and the clouds were not low enough to pass, we did come across many beautiful spots encompassing hopes of light.  This particular photo shows San Francisco from Mt. Tam with a break in the clouds, highlighting the Bay and silhouetting the bridge.

Soon we came upon the entrance to Mount Tamalpais State Park.  We touristed it up with photos--why not?  And decided to keep climbing.

Moments later we found ourselves losing visibility and in the presence of a cloud.  The wind picked up slightly and we relaxed in its coolness. 

Then suddenly to our left stood an 8-point, massive Buck--30 feet off, broadside, staring at us, as the wind moved the grass around its feet and we all froze in wonder.

Like a dream.  Where the image is real but indistinct, the Buck moved it legs and began to walk away.  As it distanced itself and blurred into the white mist, one last image seared into my memory.  The Buck stood on top of the hill perfectly outlined and dark, with lightness consuming its peripheries.  So powerful the image, and so private the feeling.

Hans and I smiled in amazement, took a moment, and headed farther up the mountain. 

After climbing 2,000 feet to the Mountain Theater we decided to turn back.  While talking we stumbled into our next encounter.  But this time it was more prehistoric--at least in the way they moved.  A set of giant wild turkeys wondered the hillside in front of us; with no need to hurry, they grazed and moved tediously. 

All in all we hiked 11 miles in 3 hours.  We saw 2 bucks, a coyote, and two sets of turkey, and one incredible vista after the other.  And now I find myself at home refreshed, connected, calm, and fulfilling my desire to share.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and follow me.  I hope you do something similar for yourself.  Find a way to be in nature, be away from people, and sit in the calmness that is sprinkled with life, marvel at the layers of beauty, and be grateful for the chance to be exactly where you are.