Rain Is A Good Thing

Wow, just WOW! The rain absolutely perfected my day today. Let me explain why.

I slept very well, after reading the 8 girls in my cabin a few poems at bedtime, they all slept soundly. Wake up call is bright and early, but breakfast was delicious and I was feeling great after about 4 cups of coffee, WOO! First thing was first, we packed our lunches for the day and set out for a 5 hour hike. It wasn't all too cold, but it was predicted to be raining the entire time. Living in Southern California has transformed my closet, and being here this week is showing me just how ill-prepared I am for cold weather and especially rain. Luckily, I have a warm NorthFace jacket and a water-resistant windbreaker. In an effort to keep my feet dry in my running shoes, I used a well-known camp hack and wore plastic grocery bags over my socks (it works very well until you get a hole in your bag). For the kids that did not have rain gear, they had the unique opportunity to rock today's biggest fashion trend, the trash bag poncho. Sounds silly, but is fairly effective. Once we were all geared up, we set out into the forest. I am very happy to report that my hiking group of 13 teenagers did not complain once about how soaked and cold we all were. As a cabin leader or naturalist, that is your worst fear. It was amazing to see how these kids made the best of our situation and enjoyed the rain. All Californians know we need it.

Let me just say, I have hiked through this forest hundreds of times, but never in the rain. The rain completely transformed the redwood forest that I know and love. I am going to go a little hippy on you for a moment, but hang in here with me. The forest in the rain takes on a certain transcendence. As the redwoods become immersed in the mist, the forest begins to look almost enchanted. The colors come alive against the grey hue in a way photos cannot capture. I cannot express how highly I recommend hiking though a redwood forest in the rain. With that recommendation, I challenge you to find a time and place to be alone in nature. In my opinion, walking alone through a forest, in the chaparral, on a beach, or wherever you find nature is one of the most liberating and calming activities. Something about being alone allows for a more authentic connection with the natural world, and a more intimate space for your thoughts, which frees the mind. Anyway, that is my hippy dialogue of the day. Nature is cool, and my day was great.

Happy Travels,

Colleen

#rain #redwoods #California #environmentaleducation