At One With Nature

Ever have that feeling that you just need to be outside in the sun and fresh air? I got that last weekend, so Scooter and I packed up a picnic lunch and went for a drive to a place in the bay area that I haven't been to in years.

It's near the bay waters, so the park has this great marshy area. A boardwalk leads you right over the water of the main marsh through a tunnel of green reeds so tall you would be lost without the trail to follow. You can't see much around you, but you can hear everything. The birds were singing a glorious symphony of chirps and warbles, tweets and quacks. Marsh wrens were building their nests and defending their territory from other birds and the multitude of park visitors. Scooter and I heard small critters scurrying through the leaf litter at the base of the reeds. The quiet footsteps of other people thudded quietly on the wooden boards. Ducks and geese called to each other across the water. Off in the not-so-far distance, bicycles rode down the gravel trails. The reeds whispered to passersby as the wind blew gently through the green strands.

And then, suddenly you come out of the reeds and you can see. You see the open water, the swallows and gulls wheeling overhead, the geese as they land in the water with a splash, the bright shirts of people, and the sun bouncing off the surface of the marsh. The wind created ripples in the water, breaking up the reflection of the hills until it was a vague blur. The hills were green but just starting to turn to brown, much too early for the season and a reminder of the drought felt all across the state. Under a clear blue sky in the warm sun and gentle breeze, there is nothing more calming, more relaxing, and more invigorating.

With summer quickly approaching, I hope that this is only the first of many day trips and camping trips this year. The two hours we spend walking and picnicking showed me that I absolutely need more time outside. We've already started planning our next day out.