First Hike

House Finch (male)

Looking at the Sunrise as I was leaving the Park

I got up at 5 a.m., had a cup of coffee, and read for a couple of hours until the sun came up. As soon as I saw the morning light, I hurriedly got dressed, and headed out towards the town of Kenwood. In Kenwood, I filled up the gas tank for future back roads trips.

When I got to Glen Ellen, I missed my turn into the regional park, because one of my favorite songs when I was a kid was playing on the radio:

Wash away my troubles
Wash away my pain
With the rain in Shambala
Wash away my sorrow
Wash away my shame
With the rain in Shambala  

-Three Dog Night

Turning the car back onto the highway from my wrong turn, I looked up into the sky and watched as two planes, opposite of each other crisscrossed in the sky, one with pink streams, the other with blue. Tears rolled down my face as this was one of many messages I received from Scott when he first transitioned.  

At the regional park, I hiked up to one of the benches and sat for awhile looking over the valley, listening to the birds, hoping to see a fox or a coyote (too many dogs loose with their owners in the park). In the trees, woodpeckers followed after each other skipping from one oak to another. A tiny falcon swept by with black wings and a snow white chest. 

My body felt good stretching, walking up the hills. I missed Scott's physical presence with me. I know he is with me, but it's hard not being able to touch him, or have him by my side as I walk this path.

Getting out. My camera leading the way. My words and stories floating in my head. The silence. The music of nature. The miracle of life. It is what is sustaining me. While I sat on the bench, before, I started back for home, a flock of Canadian Geese flew over the mists of retreating fog, bare vineyards, and manzanita announcing the new day.

Trail at Glen Ellen Regional Park