an adventure of the mind

April 29, 2008 at 3:49 AM

Wandering down the trail for what seemed like the 100th time, she thought about how she never grew bored of the familiar trail of steep winding stairs. Everytime she descended the path carved through the trees she noticed something new or would hear or see things differently. She'd notice something different in how the trees were leaning against one another, in how the plants were starting to flower out, how the sun reflected through the trees, this wind and the sound it would make as it whistled through the trees and skipped across the ocean waves far below. On this particular day, the air was thick with humidity so she slowed her pace as she weaved her way down the stairs, taking her time to look around and enjoy the scenery. She realized she had been rushing and wondered why she needed to get to the beach so quickly. Soon footsteps could be heard catching up behind her. She instinctually stepped over to the side to allow room for whomever it was to pass. Whoever it was, whatever their motives, they were in a hurry and in a rapid blur, a pale, nude body went whizzing by with nothing but a backpack on. Further down the trail a woman was walking up the stairs and with a startled expression looked up, her face turning a bright magenta that matched her coat.

With the sun and a warm and gentle breeze to welcome me, I arrived at the bottom of the path. I could still see the pale little man running off in the distance. I turned in the other direction, facing into the sun and began to walk. The tide was out and the breeze wafted the delicious smell of the sea to my nose. In the distance I could see a heron spying its prey at the receding waters edge. Heading towards a wall of rocks, I found myself gazing at the sand. There were hundreds if not thousands of crushed and shattered seashells littered across the moist sand. As I walked, the sunlight would catch the tiny shards making them twinkle in greeting as I walked. As I arrived at the towering wall of rocks and began to climb, the heron seemed to watch me curiously. I made it to the top and perched myself comfortably in between a couple of rocks that made themselves into almost a chair type shape. The wind was more biting and strong atop the rocks but the sun was equally warm and comforting. I closed me eyes. The waves splashed gentle and rhythmically against the shore, relaxing and comforting like a mother singing a lullaby to a baby unable to sleep. Bird calls echoed across the open as the birds danced about in the sky, chasing and teasing each other playfully. The wind rustled in the trees and whistled through the boulders piled high along the beach. All else was silent and calm.The little naked man was no where in sight and the beach was deserted. I sat high atop my little castle of rocks looking out to the sea. A call rang out, a person became visible off in the distance (this time with their clothes on!) and I knew my solitude was over for today's little excursion. Reluctantly, I gathered my things and carefully climbed down from my rocky kingdom. I began to slowly wind my way across the beach towards the little scar in the trees that marked the trail heading. The crushed shells still twinkled at me as I passed them by, saying goodbye as I retraced my earlier steps, my footprints still visible in the damp sand. I arrived at the trail head and with a sigh and a refreshed mind, began my ascent up the some 450 stairs.....1...2....3....

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on April 29, 2008 at 5:10 AM

Your photo and your writing are both beautiful. Your writing reminds me of days in the past when I walked and photographed the same terrain many days, in all seasons, all kinds of weather, all times of day, all kinds of light, and there was something different and precious each time. Your trek up and down 450 steps was well worth it. You are lucky that you have a place with so few other people around, and you're also lucky that you're healthy enough to walk up and down 450 steps. Your visits to that place are very precious now, and will be later, in retrospect.

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an adventure of the mind

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