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.

I smiled and waved and kept the pedal to the metal. They were in a hurry, I wasn't . 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

Life is short.

Why is everyone in such a hurry?

Stop and smell the roses.

And, just in case you need another one  

Sandy

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


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

Tofina, the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Magic !

Pure Joy