by Sharon Ray
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.
For more about this hike, read Dawn’s post here.
Gaviota Peak Nature Hike
led by Al and Dawn King, Saturday, March 9, 2013
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.
A delicious holiday cookie baking took place last Saturday at the Sunburst lodge, with many people participating. In addition to baking, a large group of residents and friends gathered for a festive tree and lodge decorating party. As well, it was a birthday celebration for our dear sister Sandi DeSilva. Sandi lived with us in the earlier years of Sunburst, helping Brother Norman prepare his first book for publication.
Abundant laughter escaped the kitchen as cookies were baked, decorated…and tasted; these treats will sweeten December festivities. These events include weekend activities of Winter Solstice [Dec. 21 – 23] and Celebrate Life [Dec. 28 – 30]. Come and join us for any part of these special days to meditate and call in the light for a New Year.
The lodge looks exceptionally beautiful with its beams decorated in green garlands and white lights. A big “Thank you!” to Elena and Greg for delivering the tree this year and stringing it with rainbow lights. They also bedecked the mantel above our huge stone fireplace, a point of focus during these cool, wet winter months.
After last Saturday’s festive potluck dinner and dessert, Elena provided us with pens and large glittery stars. We wrote our 2013 wishes and projections on these, then hung them on the tree.
May we all find joy in our hearts, living in brotherhood and peace!
Happy Birthday dear Sandi (pictured on the left)
Owen puts his Christmas wish star on the tree
We wrote our wishes and projections for 2013 on glittery stars that were hung on the tree.
The Sunburst garden is in full bloom and production now! A new wind break for the garden—a wonderful cob wall—has almost been completed. It will also provide the garden with a built-in bench and tool room.
The wall’s material, cob, is a natural building medium composed of sand, straw and clay soil. Mixed with water, it is applied over a small rock foundation, then formed with one’s hands as it grows in height. It will be covered with a slight roof to keep off excess rainwater and prevent erosion. Helge and Heiko are among the people who have been working to complete the project. A big thanks goes out to Steven (running the tractor, below) and Rita (in hat, below) who made the long journey many times to assist with this project.
In the garden, sunflowers are beginning to bloom. These and other brightly colored flowers attract bees, aiding in pollination and Sunburst honey production. Jessica is now caretaking the garden, keeping it weeded and planted. The brunch teams have been using the vegetables for their meals on Sunday. This last weekend featured zucchini chocolate chip cookies and a lovely pasta salad with veggies from the garden. Feel free to take a look around the garden on your next trip to Sunburst!
by Dawn King
At Sunburst Sanctuary there is always something going on, and an ever-conscious awareness intended to help newcomers or visitors feel at home. This past week preparations were made for the Experience Sunburst program. Attendees camp, work, study and meditate with Sunburst residents for two full weeks.
Preparations included the transformation of our old meditation area in the Lodge into a comfy spot for social interaction, or simply relaxing—a sort of living room. Several intimate seating arrangements invite conversation, crafts, creating music, playing games, reading or a movie. There are shelves for a few books and games. The area will be able to morph as needed.
It continues to be a wonderful day for a walk almost every day at Sunburst. Despite the heat most of the country has been experiencing, coastal temperatures remain comfortable. Many recent visitors have gotten to see baby turkeys and young fawns.
A pair of twin fawns graze outside.
Yesterday I saw a very large coyote, quite close up. He didn’t see me because I was hardly moving while thinning apples at the far end of our orchard. He walked along outside of the nearby deer fence. I’m always happy to see our native critters, and pinch myself that I live surrounded by Nature’s beautiful “living room.” Hope to see YOU soon at Sunburst!
Jake and Lucinda readying the new living room area in Sunburst’s lodge.
The cozy new living room area in Sunburst’s lodge, ready for everyone to enjoy.
