When I saw the crowds I thought this was a terrible mistake. We should have woken up earlier, we should have gone to some remote beach at daybreak.
But we wanted something different, something a little special. Nowadays little special somethings go a long way. The Great Outdoors has always afforded me an opportunity to do that, but because of the current pandemic situation, life has been limited.
Crowds are something that isn’t, unfortunately.
When you’re at a concert or game they’re great! You feel the vibe and energy. But when I was trying to find peace. Not so much. Even before the pandemic. Crowds burned me out. The beach. The Park. Morning runs. Lakes. I avoided them. Or at least tried.
So I was grateful for the long hike up the mountain, even though I wasn’t a fan of hiking, it proved to be a good step back, for a positive forward move. You see, not many people managed that. Most of the crowd walked a couple yards and stayed close to the road or parking. Half a football field, I guess. Their lack of exercise was my gain. As most people didn’t want to hike up the mountain and venture further up. The fact that they weren’t socially distancing or wearing masks was concerning. I thought this outing was going to be a disaster. But turns out the more we hiked the less people we found. The hidden nature escape appeared.
The Outdoors became the Kodak moment that made the day better. A recharging station for when your depleted spirit needed it most.
Something about nature turned it around. Especially when we discovered a surprise…
Waterfalls bring smiles. Especially on a 12th birthday.
The entire adventure helped bring about some wonderful firsts, like first time fishing in a river, first time losing the fishing pole and swimming against the current in the cold deep to retrieve it, first time hiking to a waterfall, and first time cooling off underneath it.
First time bucket list adventures with the kids stayed with me and granted us moments of gratitude that still linger.
Buen Camino, friends!
The Wish Factor 
I find myself out in nature more with a pandemic going on. Yes, there are groups of people at times and I just put on my mask and carry on to find some solitude space. Beautiful captures 🙂 Be Safe, Take Care and Happy Day – Enjoy!
It was crazy. Like it looked like a full on Spring Break CrAze. But just like you I put on the mask and carried on. GREAT to hear from you 🙂 stay safe!
Love it!
Brilliant captures and beautiful poetry, Cali.
There is nothing like a good hike.
Dude! When I saw that … everything else faded away. It took me a minute before I realized oh hey I have a camera. I should take pics. It was that cool. Glad we found it:)
Very cool Cali
Beautiful
I’m glad you went through the Hike, it is incredible and beautiful. Nature & outdoors helped me and my family cope and heal from the fears and worries of the pandemic . We wear mask though even at the beach because many don’t. Life has to go on the best we know how as long as we try to follow the safety guidelines. Smaller less popular hiking places are best this Summer as everyone is hitting National Parks & major nature destinations. I read about vandalism & loitering too as people who don’t really care about nature , & just want to have fun and enjoy freedom are going in droves and thousands.
Yes! Nature has been a saving grace very Zen and good place for everyone to recharge. Went to the beach just recently and we definitely wore ours whenever we think we’re gonna run into people it goes on. I read a lot of people are hitting the National Parks, just hope they keep it the way they found it … clean 🙂
I hope people take care of nature the way it takes care of them. Some just go to these places for themselves , which is to take and have fun. They leave behind clutter and graffiti totally not caring of the damage they are creating. I was at the beach yesterday. So beautiful then on my way back, saw people leaving behind nasty items like underwear and swimsuits . My head screamed, “ really? “ National parks needs their environmental heroes this year because from what the news are saying , thousands are traveling there and many are harming in one day what centuries of nature evolution has created.