When
I asked writing friends where they go to clear their heads of cluttered mental debris
and recharge, I heard “the beach” more times than anywhere else.
For
me, the beach holds little solace. Sure, it’s lovely at sunset. Otherwise, it’s
like a party: too well lit, too exposed, too rah-rah and whoosh-whoosh of
waves, bikinis, and volleyballs.
A
walk on the beach is also hard on the feet & leg muscles. Afterwards, I need a rest from that
rest.
I’m
with Robert Frost, who declared the woods his recharge station. Especially the
dark and deep ones. The sounds of a redwood forest, dripping dew, singing invisible
birds who also shelter there, and the gentle deep colors gratis of the low
light are my place of remembering that life is a gift.
And speaking of woods, nothing compares to the California Redwoods. On a hike there, we paid homage to one tree who has his own name. Methuselah is named after the biblical character who lived to be nine-hundred and sixty-nine years. (Genesis 527) The old redwood tree named after him is almost two thousand years old.
Methuselah
Tree^ (Redwood)
Woodside,
California
Beaches
are transitory. The redwoods stand and watch the sands wash away. I’ll take the
less travelled road.
Oh, the redwoods are magnificent. The woods were my go-to place when we lived in WA--we had miles of trails right behind our house. But here in SC, it's the beach at sunset. But my favorite place is the beautiful church I can walk or ride my bike to from home. The Real Presence of our Lord is tangible. He brings so much peace.
ReplyDeleteI am fortunate to have both beach and redwoods right where I live. I've never been a beach bunny, but I love being close to the ocean. Up on the north coast, there's no rah rah, just the sound of the surf reaching the shore and moving back out again. As much as I love walking in the forest, there's something about the great expanse of water that is integral to my well-being. I fall asleep to its sounds and find myself in awe of the colors, patterns, and creatures I witness throughout the day.
ReplyDeleteI love both the beach and the woods. Each are soothing to my soul in their own way.
ReplyDeleteI find the sound of ocean waves, or just looking at an ocean or lake or river is soothing and relaxing. Also looking at the video, Flying Over the Netherlands, especially the tulip fields. The woods do nothing for me, with the exception of those lovely redwoods in the Muir Woods.
ReplyDelete