The Path Less Traveled

Natural Rebellion

No well-worn paths for us today. We went off-trail, a natural rebellion. All photos by Cori Bren, on my trusty iPhone 8+.

Those who follow me know I spend time with my therapist, Mother Nature, every Sunday morning. Today was no exception. With sunny skies and temps in the mid-60’s, we crept into a forest so silent all we heard was a whooshing in our ears and so serene that I exhaled the entire 90 minutes we hiked.

Today, we went off trail. We’ve done that before, but there was climbing up and scurrying down ravines involved and I’m feeling every minute of my 59 years of age tonight in aching joints and muscles. A welcome reminder that I’m alive, that I chose natural life today.

The path we took was overgrown with ground cover and the sun peeked through the trees beckoning us onward as the trail eventually turned into brush and led us to our ravine exploration and beyond to hidden swamps with gorgeous golden bedding.

After this discovery where we sat patiently for several minutes watching the dragonflies and birds, we circled around to one of the common trails leading to a series of ponds, always teeming with life. The million layered shades of green are still burned into my brain where I’ll hopefully dream of them tonight on my way to Monday morning chaos once more.

In the midst of the ponds, there was a uniquely red cluster of gorse (not sure), which had me thinking hesitantly of bears. I understand they like gorse. I put it out of my mind to stay inside the precious moments in front of me. I was rewarded by a heart-shaped fungus and a cluster of GIANT white fungi that look like toasted marshmallows on top. They’re a sweet reminder that bonfires with smores are on the horizon for Fall.

When all was said and done, I even captured the perfect image for my Christmas card. These tiny princess pine shoots are such brilliantly beautiful, delicate green next to the forest pine cone debris and the lovely brown button mushrooms. When the scene passed below my wandering eyes, I had to capture it and seeing it makes me long for snow. I wish you all the wander-lustiest of weeks. The merriest of Mondays, tinged a million shades of nature’s greens.