Prairie Creek State Park, Humboldt County, CA
James Irvine trail to Miner’s Ridge Trail
My morning started in a little funk today, maybe because I woke up at 4:30 and then had weird, vivid dreams after that. Just felt tired, melancholy, disgruntled. So I was glad to be heading up to the big trees once again.
As soon as I started on the James Irvine trail, from the visitor’s center at Prairie Creek State Park, I entered another world. The giant, old-growth redwoods always seem magical, so impossibly big, massive, gnarled trunks fifteen feet across, crowns towering hundreds of feet above.
They make me feel like magic is real, like anything is possible. My grumpy mood was quickly consumed by wonder and awe. Around every turn more magnificence awaited.
The trail climbed up a long, gently slopping hill.
As I crested the ridge, a wispy mist created spectacular sunbeams!
Near the end of the trail, this crazy, spindly, moss-covered tree wrapped up the hike.
The drive back to McKinleyville winds along the coast, with jaw-dropping ocean views and too many lagoons to count.
Sitting on this beach, after magical hike, it’s hard to imagine what that morning funk felt like…
The more time I spend outside, the easier it is to see that the world is a beautiful place.
When I’m immersed in the wonder of nature, everything thing else fades away – all my worries, all my troubles – everything feels perfect.
All the times when I’ve been happiest in my life have been when I was spending lots of time outside.
I need to spend more time outside…
42 Musings 