Moments of Reflection and Delight

Reflection

The first week of May we headed out to the Los Padres National Forest to drive the recently reopened Figueroa Mountain Loop, a 40 mile stretch from Los Olivos to Santa Ynez in the Central Coast region of California. The loop is known for its hiking trails and Springtime wildflowers. It takes about 2 hours, mostly at 15 - 25 miles an hour.

In July 2024, the Lake Fire burned more than 40,000 acres through this area. The Zaca Fire of 2007 burned more than 240,000 acres. The destruction from the recent fire was jaw dropping and yet, across the street from the above image we were delighted to see poppy and lupine, typical this time of year, returning among the charred black and leafless trees.

Further down the road there were more burned trees, more fields of green, and occasional patches of purple lupine and bursts of orange poppies.

All to say that the process of recovery is an amazing one. The cycle of life. If there is nurturing and support, life flourishes. It may take time and may come in a different way, but life continues. =)

Delight

I love my distance views! They provide calm, perspective, and peace. Any concerns simply dissipate, like fog lifting to a sunny day. One of my distance viewpoints is on a road called Foxen Canyon near Los Olivos, California. Facing east toward Santa Barbara, my view is bordered by Figueroa Mountain to the north and the Santa Ynez Valley stretched out in front of me. This time of year it’s a few shades of green. Any wildlife I see are the occasional turkey vulture, hawk, and crow. Recently I saw a couple of coyotes and a mountain lion off in the distance. Always a delight.

This time, I pulled into the wide turnout and saw small shiny metal like things sticking up from the dirt in my usual parking space. Hmmm… I didn’t want to drive over them, not knowing what they were, so I stopped short for some Zen time viewing.  

About 20 minutes later, I drove next to and beyond the shining silver bits. They were foil-wrapped chocolate kisses! Someone was asked to the prom.  =)

For more special moments –

Get out into the world.

Take those random turns.

Let your heart lead the way.

Whoo-hoo!