Temescul State Park, CA, 2013.
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that there are certain trees I’ve known since the beginning of time. Since I’ve hiked a certain canyon back when I was alone or coupled or alone or single or alone or afraid or brave or out of shape or in shape. I tend to find places that make me feel invisible and seen at the same time. I tend to hike alone and I tend to hike happy.
The Big Bad Gorgeous Dame here has been my friend for a million years. She is at the end of the straight UP-straight DOWN trail at Temescul and every time I see her I think she’d love to sit down with me, have a cup of Earl Grey and then have me tell her what is happening at the top of the mountain.
Instead I walk past her and I wave and I tell her that she is just about as glorious as glorious gets and she, for her part, holds her majestic ground there, like a Ziegfeld Follie and spreads her arms out as wide as the eye can see.
I think trees make the best greeters, don’t you?
Your Biggest Fan,
Oaky Oakerson
Oaktown, USA
I do think they are the best. With all that love and sturdiness and wisdom.
And they’re like people doing handstands.
I knew my parenting job was done and I could die happy when my seven year old told me had to take me someplace and show me something. Then she walked me to a place she passes on her way to school and showed me a particular tree and said, “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen and I talk to it every day.”
That was 32 years ago and I’m still happy.
LOVE.
Trees make me happy and beautiful trees as your missus Oak, make me delirious. She’s beautiful and I would love to share a cup of Earl Grey with you both.
Magnificent. Both of you.
Thanks Jennifer. I think YOU’RE magnificent too!
Oh, look at that tree, and that GRASS! The color and life! Just what I needed today, Oaky.
Perfect reward for a strenuous hike.
I’ve loved that tree, I’ve hiked that trail, I’ve seen a dude flashing his own tree up near the falls. Totally glam photo. Love it.