Week Ten - MUD, Sisters, and Monty Python

If there were such a thing as the official start date of mud season, I would shout, "Its official!"  And with this transition out of Winter and into Spring, comes the glorious smell of earth, dreams of planting a garden and seeing the first buds on the trees stretch for the warmth of the sun with all their might.  After such an odd and snow-less winter, it hardly seems real that we've made it through the coldest months, but that does seem to be the case!  You might have even heard me shouting from the mountain top, "Weeeehoooo!"  Or you might also see my car swerving on the slurpy back roads, or you might see me cleaning up muddy foot prints from the floor because my little one has forgotten to take off his boots after playing outside, or you might see me doing an extra load of laundry after yet again swiping up against my filthy car.  But this is the small price we pay for the promise of a magical Spring, which is just around the corner!

All of this said, the ledges trail was actually in pretty descent condition when I went up yesterday.  I had the pleasure of running into the Yost sisters at the gate, which put a big smile on my face and a pep in my step.  Sisters always make me smile.  I am the oldest of three girls and I love and miss them both dearly.  One sister lives in the Bay Area where we are all from, and the other is around the world in Vietnam. I found myself thinking about them as I climbed to the ledge view, and reminiscing about adventures we'd had over the years.  We've gone in and out of being close, but that sisterly bond has always held tight and I know it always will.  Living so far apart takes its toll on closeness, but I'm grateful for Skype, jet planes and a little vacation time when we can take advantage of it.  I thoroughly enjoyed today's cairns... the one below I aptly named The Three Sisters. 

When I stopped to take this picture I was moved to just stand there and take it all in.  As I looked around, I noticed the trees, still and bare.  They seemed quiet but alert, and perhaps in their tree like way, they were noticing me too.  I slowly turned in a circle and realized how surrounded by them I was.  Their tall trunks and branches like veins and arteries, just beginning to pulse with sap.  Their roots, deep and connected like a web beneath me.  I felt cocooned by the forest, this network of nature, and as I missed my sisters who are far and wide, the trees sent me their sisterly love and I was embraced. 

My decent was quick and easy and fun.  I even ran into a little friend (below) who allowed me to get a shot of his best side.  The fresh air, the mud, my little tree hug, all made for a wonderful morning adventure.  Sometimes I can hardly believe I manifested this life for myself.  Not every second is bliss, but I'm working on noticing bliss more and more.  Its like all I have to do is just turn a little to the right or left and there it is, waiting to be recognized.  A change in perspective, a change in the light and boom!  I have the ability to align with the experiences I seek.  Its my choice!  And I right now I can hear the Monty Python crew calling to me... "You have chosen... wisely."