I set out on a mission this morning to be active, to be healthy, and to be one with nature. I love to hike. Not necessarily too rugged of hiking as I haven't had much experience, but briskly walking in fresh air with plants, trees, and little critters around me makes me feel like I am bursting out of one of my beloved Jane Austen novels. So after a quick Google search, I found a hiking trail that was a little over a mile and a half long and described as leading to a waterfall that is best viewed during spring. Well seeing how today was the first day of spring AND my spring break, this sounded like the perfect adventure. I dropped the kiddos off at school, ran a quick errand and set my Google Maps for my destination.
Now I can tell you that somewhere in my conscience, I noticed the time needed to drive to this trail' s location, and that I considered whether I was crazy for even attempting it...but somewhere logic took a backseat to my desire to frollick amongst the budding of spring, and I remember thinking that as long as I made it back by 2pm to pick up the kiddos from school, I would be fine.
Well somewhere on the side of a mountain on a winding road that made me feel clammy and queasy, I began to wonder about my sanity. Needless to say I never found the trail as the road dead-ended into a snowbank with a sign that read "road closed until April 1st". Who knew that Spring didn't officially come to the El Dorado forest until April? Here is a picture I took after driving out of the snowy parts on my way back:
As I drove back trying to find civilization, thinking of the Donner Party and imagining the lecture that my Mother would be giving me about serial killers who troll the woods looking for hapless females, I felt stupid, ridiculous, and defeated until I made it back to the freeway entrance and cellphone reception. After 2 hours into my adventure I was determined not to drive back home without stepping one foot out of my car, so I did a quick search for another hiking trail and settled on a spot closer towards the city of Pollock Pines (at least a town that I knew that had gas, fast food, and an escape route close to the freeway from any treacherous, no-teethed, lunatics that might be lurking around as my Mother would have prophesized). Yes, I am sadly too much of a city-slicker than I would care to admit at this point.
Low and behold, the place was perfect. It was a recreational area with a lake and camping spots and trails (one that my husband probably knows like the back of his hand, being the California Kid). I had a wonderful time hiking along a river trail for over an hour, and even got to stick my feet in the lake which was freezing. I even had a magical moment where a couple of lavender butterflies playfully visited me as I sat taking pictures of the lake. Somewhere in that moment I felt as if my Creator was sending me a gift. I had a moment of clarity. I felt the presence of my ancestors and knew that all was right in the world.
After some time, I hiked back to my car and sat for a while gathering my thoughts. I had exactly the appropriate drive time back to get my kiddos and not be late. Phew. I was sweaty from the exercise and I felt like my soul was nourished.
My crazy adventure took most of the day. But amidst all of the emotional turmoil and panic of the morning, I found the place that I was actually suppose to be at in the end. And I had a great time telling my Hubby about it when he got home from work. His repsonse... "You mean you wasted a half a tank of gas to go hiking half way up the mountain when Effie Yaw nature center is right down the street??" Yes. He is the yin to my yang. Lol. But at least he loves me anyway.
Here are some picks from my hike:
