Nuptials at Olympic Valley

Hiking up the trails of Olympic Valley you hear the imperceptible sounds that make up the silence: the song of birds in trees, the scrabble of squirrels and chipmunks darting in and out of the shrubs, the whispering of manzanita plants swaying with the wind, and the gentle, soothing babble of the fast moving creek.

As you ascend, you begin feeling happy torrents rising from within, a reminiscence of youthful joy.

It's much like when you experienced the beach for the first time, or your first playground - a moment you hope will never end.

If you're curious enough you will discover nature's mundane marvels provide an inexhaustible source of happiness. Each labored breath through the bush, over the granite slabs and fallen trees along the trail literally elevates your dopamine, serotonin and endorphin levels: a trifecta of nostalgia. In other words, you boost your neurochemicals on hikes here in Tahoe.

And when you reach the ancient Junipers overlooking the Valley below, something surreal and unexpected happens. Their elegant presence and massive roots clutching the rocks defeats, if only for a moment, the weight of selfish concerns and preoccupations you brought with you. The regrets, missed opportunities, and bad decisions that tend to govern your life suddenly loosen their grip and drift away.

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you

because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.

Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.” ~ Roald Dahl

Filled with wonder you forget yourself and make room for happiness... and for others.

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I’m Michael Kennedy, a resident of Olympic Valley, CA (in photo above). I’m a visual storyteller and I love exploring nature and getting lost along the way. I know we live in a world that demands our attention. I just want to say thank you for your attention. If you enjoyed this post, please share with a friend. For more photos and stories visit BlueWolfGallery.com.