Last Saturday morning I had just returned from an exhausting trip to Los Angeles and my plan was to take my journal and my book to the Sunburst lodge and plant myself in the cozy living room there. I’d read, write, and hopefully fall asleep. Books in hand, I turned toward the door when Dawn came running up the steps and into my villa, “Today is the day! And you’re HERE!” This was my irresistable invitation to switch gears and go hike Gaviota Peak. All righty then!
It was the perfect day for it: not uncomfortably hot, not too windy either. Al brought his botany books, but hardly needed them since he already knew so many of the plants and flowers we were introduced to along the way. The neat thing about wildflowers is that, for lack of compost and artificial watering, they are so tiny, sweet and delicate. Most definitely they are born each by the wand of some winged fairy. There were blue bells, and blue dix, lupine, and shooting stars, not to mention milk maids (which surely could have been followed by lords a-leaping in this magical place).
There is nothing more cleansing for the soul (and the aura!) than Mother Nature herself. The wind, the sun, the exercise and deep breathing, all the better for the company of jolly friends, lifts all the clouds. As we ventured ’round the west facing part of the trail, we were greeted by an amazing view of the ocean peeking out in perfect V-formation from behind the crossing of two mountains. Ahhh!! Gorgeous!!
We did not “summit” Gaviota Peak on Saturday (thank God), but at the furthest point in our adventure we found hidden flat rock just big enough to host the five of us. Whilst my friends munched on goodies, I lay on the rock with my water bottle as my pillow, and, for the first time in my life, fell asleep on a totally hard surface.
I’m thankful I was sport enough to switch gears Saturday morning; God always has the better plan!
Four-o-clock’s and poppies dot the California hillside.Â
For more about this hike, read Dawn’s post here.
O Mother, Father, whenever I think I am lacking. help me remember that you are within me, and all around me, providing everything I need. Amen
Al and I wondered what to do when we awoke to wind-driven low clouds, scudding across the dawn sky. A neighborhood rainbow gave evidence of some lingering precipitation. It seemed to be a cool gusty day, no matter our thoughts of climbing Gaviota Peak. After some discussion, we decided to hike up the trail anyway and simply turn around if conditions became uncomfortable. Sharon, Craig and Barbara joined us.
Despite generous rainfall the previous day, the porous trail was mainly dry. The cool air was invigorating. We avoided the wind for most of our hike, traversing a little used offshoot of Trespass trail. This gave us access to interesting plants and flowers which varied from those of the main Trespass road, as well as ocean views.
We saw Wood Mint, Sugar Bush, Blue Dicks, Encilia, purple and white-flowered Nightshades, native Morning Glory, Toyone, Purple Needle Grass, Lupines, Poppies and Amole (native soap plant). A busy Flower Fly was at work, one of our many native pollinators.
The higher we got, the windier it seemed. After some searching—the brush has grown—we found our favorite table rock and had a snack before heading back on the main Trespass road. There Milk Maids, first flowers of spring, sang their “final hurrah.” Red Indian Paintbrush was exceptionally vibrant due to the weather. Gooseberries bloomed, as did Hummingbird Sage, Fiesta Flowers and Manzanita. Beautiful large rocks displaying fossils and multi-colored lichens bordered the road.
The scarlet flash of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird let us know we were too closely admiring his favorite flowering sage. Loud chirps nearby, alerted us to the presence of a Sage Sparrow, which seemed alarmed as well. Not far away a normally nocturnal Jerusalem Cricket (“Potato Bug”) tried to avoid us as it traversed the road.
In summary, it was a delightful excursion into Nature with dear friends. What more could one ask of the day?
Below: Sunburst residents gather in the dewing morning to walk the Hopi labyrinth and welcome spring.
Spring Equinox
By Sharon Ray
One thing I love about Sunburst is the opportunity to become connected with the Nature. Growing up in Los Angeles I wasn’t even aware of the phases of the moon. Is it half, or full, quarter or new? Now I’m at Sunburst where the night sky has 360 degree visibility and one has the opportunity to enjoy not only the moon, but the sun rising and setting over the hills.
This morning is the first day of spring (yay! We made it!), and after meditation I gathered ’round the labyrinth with Sunbrust brothers and sisters to welcome the new spring sun. Our master of ceremonies, Craig, shared with us that the first day of Spring is also the first day of the astrological calendar~ (Who knew?! I’m learning so much…) The zodiac begins with Aries, whose strength is loyalty. Craig then led us in a recognition of the four directions and of the four elements of fire, water, earth, and air which the Divine uses to create the world. Ahh…
We walked the stone labyrinth, each with our own intention held in our hearts, and ended together facing the sun with a prayer, “O Divine Spirit, we thank You for the gift of the sun, and the sound of the birds. May we never take for granted this Earth and our precious friends that surround us. We love You… Amen.”
Happy Spring!
The sun peeks over the mountains as we walk the labyrinth.
