A hike up a hill with a ghostwriter
It's strange. So strange. It's very strange to me.
As I look out my window I'm drawn to the mist crawling mysteriously over the Valley.
I throw on a jacket, slip into my Salomons, and take a little walk for a closer look.
As I pass through the parking lot and approach the mountain, the sky turns a freakish color of orange.
The clouds become explosive upside down waves above me as if I'm caught in a Stephen King storm. There's no rain. No rocking. But my mind!
When I look over my shoulder, what do you think I see?
Some piece of bark on a frightful Juniper tree looking over at me. Even the branches seem to be staring, watching, evaluating.
It's strange. So strange. It's very strange to me.
I feel as if Mother Nature herself is snarling into my soul, deciding if I'm worthy to keep moving up this mountain. And for a split second I consider turning back. But the branches, long and twisted, invite me in for more of the show.
Must be the season of the witch.
I keep going, hiking up, deeper into the darkness, further away from home.
Suddenly I realize the sky, the clouds, the bark, and the trees, are not sinister in the least. They are not something to be feared, but something to behold. They're each in their own way sanctuaries, things of beauty. And whoever knows how to speak and listen to them, can learn the greatest lessons of life.
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away form you like the leaves of Autumn.” ~ John Muir
Nature finds the good in everything.
"And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.” ~ William Shakespeare
When we listen, really listen, to what Nature has to say, we achieve a joy which can't be bought or borrowed, only bestowed upon.
"Whoever has learned how to listen to trees no longer wants to be a tree. He wants to be nothing except what he is. That is home. That is happiness." ~ Hermann Hesse
What other lesson did I learn on my little haunted hike? The wise man on the mountain is the mountain itself.
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I’m Michael Kennedy, Olympic Valley, CA resident. I’m a premium ghostwriter and photographer, and I love adventure. Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed it, please share with others. I value your attention, it means a lot to me and it helps others see the story. If you're interested in any awe-inspired photos in this post, or in my gallery: click here, or just call or text at 530.608.9150. Let me know what size you want, and I'll send a quote. My email: michael.kennedy999@gmail.com.