There have been only 2 or 3 in my life...this is one....

In 1981 I was unemployed, having quit a job in Alaska, and living in WA. My brother was getting married in CA, so I borrowed a 1979 VW bus and drove down. Between Oregon and Ca there is a mountain range called the Siskyous (sp?).... and when I got there, with the gas pedal to the floor (the ONLY time I've ever done that in a car) I was going up those mountains at 20 MPH (70 HP bus, if that). It remains, to this day, the ONLY time I have been flipped off (repeatedly) and not given a damn. Cars were zipping by me, with honking and driver's middle fingers extended...for miles. ;D ;D

I smiled and waved and kept the pedal to the metal. They were in a hurry, I wasn't 8-). Amazing that, how attitude affects perception....

It was a wonderful wedding, at a mountaintop ranch...with family from all over the country in attendance...and I flirted the whole time with a beautiful woman who I have never seen again, but will never forget...sigh!

Time to go back now, and turns out my new sister-in-law's brother was a AAA agent. He mapped out a route home up the Pacific Coast Highway (101?) for me. Said I wouldn't regret the longer trip...oh my was he right.

Along the way were at least a half dozen Redwood forests. I was determined to see them all! Actually reminds me of the movie "If This is Tuesday, It Must Be Belgium"...I raced through 5 of those forests without really seeing a damn thing. Get on the bus, get off the bus, run through the tour, get back on the bus, LEAVE....it never occurred to me how sad that was until...

At maybe the last one, I pulled into the parking lot (midweek) and there was no one else there. Started down the trail at my now normal near run and got one mile in...when it hit me. Was in a clearing and I suddenly realized and stopped dead in my tracks... BECAUSE...I...FINALLY...NOTICED...there were NO man made sounds anymore... NO motors, NO voices, NO planes, no nothing... EXCEPT the trees, which were so high I could not see the tops or imagine how high they were, the blue sky peeking in and out, the cooling and calming wind, the rustle of branches, the birds flitting and singing...and the intoxicating perfume of wet trees and damp earth and green things. Time seemed to stand still...and I noticed EVERYTHING...and recognized this moment for the gift it was.  

Maybe an epiphany, as I have never viewed nature or life the same since....one of the few times I have physically felt the presence of God. Nothing like that is by chance...

That was a perfect day, and I walked out of that forest REAL slow, with the respect it deserved...

Would LOVE to hear about your perfect day...

Best,

Jon

Those days are rare. Savior both the day and the memory.

You have my thanks for causing me to recall the memories of those few days I cherish so much. I can only hope another come my way.

Maybe one day I'll share those memories........

B

Life is short.

Why is everyone in such a hurry?

Stop and smell the roses.

And, just in case you need another one  [smiley=bigtiny.gif] :)

Sandy

Racer1_NC wrote on Jul 25^th, 2009 at 2:49am:

. Maybe one day I'll share those memories........ B

PLEASE DO!

Sandy_C wrote on Jul 25^th, 2009 at 1:28pm:

. And, just in case you need another one  [smiley=bigtiny.gif] :) Sandy

Oh Sandy, thanks for the laugh...I really needed it ;D

Jon, you are so lucky to have been amidst the Redwoods.  I long to see them someday!!!

I will try to share some of mine, but on another day.  I'm sure you understand.

*hugs*
mel

Tofina, the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Magic ! :)

Pure Joy

Jon, You're right, the Redwoods are such magnificence! As is the ride up 101 from California to Oregon!  And those Siskiyous!! I cannot get enough of traveling north on I5, going from view to view of those magnificent fields of trees turning one bend after the other, surrounded by these gorgeous green views!!  
As for perfect days?? Hmm....waking up early each morning on a cruise, looking out to see a brand new port as the ship pulls in......sun shining on a new civilization, new sights to see...
or, the day my grandson was born.....my daughter in law was tap dancing while she was in labor, when suddenly, she announced "it was "time"."so, into delivery she went. Gil and I had to stay behind-we weren't allowed.....but, in short time, Todd came out and told us he had arrived. Todd invited us into the delivery room, where my daughter in law lay in her bed, covered to the neck in blankets. She got a huge smile on her face and she dropped the blankets down a bit. There was a baby hiding under there! I lost my heart to him that very instant, and glowed for days afterward!  Or, after watching my daughter suffer in her first marriage for 2 yrs, the day she married her true life partner. Only 6 of us at the wedding, as they exchanged their vows, and I think I saw Dana's scars melt away, her shoulders somehow squared again, as his parents and her parents watched this very private moment where they vowed to live their life together as one, in joy, rather than the pain they had both experienced in their previous marriages.
Then, there was the time I had the opportunity to meet one of my childhood friends...it had been somwhere around 30-35 yrs.  We chatted a lot online for awhile, then by phone, but the BEST part was when he came up to Portland, and we sat in a bar for HOURS, catching up........and I left wanting even more time! He was a good friend when I was young, and, many years later, he is a good man! It was something I will never forget........one of those spectacular times in my life.

Anywhoo, Jon, I wish you MANY special days in your future!!!!


Cathi