Under the August Sun
leave your worries at the trail head and let the forest bring you peace
Hello, my friends.
The days are hot, the forest is dry, and the wildfires dominate many of our thoughts here in the west of Canada. The forecast suggests a break in the near future, maybe you’ll join me in crossing your fingers that the pattern shifts and we get some much-needed wetter weather.
I am so looking forward to autumn.
Until then, we can wander amongst the towering trees and their soaring leafy canopies, and try to forget our worries for a moment or two.
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A bright day greets us as we lace up our walking boots and head out the door.
The sun sits high and the air surrounds us in warmth. The sky is clear of smoke today and our breaths remain deep—the forest smells like the forest; allowing us a brief respite from our weights and worries.
We meander until we reach the tall trees, stretching their bows and branches across the sky. Here, we look up; to the splashes of blue peeking in between the leaves, to the beam of sun breaking through a small gap in the canopy, to the tree tops dancing on a gentle, faraway breeze.
We pause our walking and turn slowly in place; feeling held, cocooned and safe. It’s quiet here with just the gentle gurgle of a nearby forest stream to serenade us.
The undergrowth is prolific here. There are ferns, of course, still looking green despite the dry weeks. They display the contrast of shadows and light beautifully across their delicate fronds.
The devil’s club is overgrown, and here, we must be careful— they boast large thorns that snag our clothes and scratch our arms if we venture too close. But now, they also sport red berries that stand tall out of the centre of each jungle-esque plant.
The bunchberries, flowers long dried and gone, still hold green in their leaves— a few we find still intact and catching the lovely light.
More leafy foliage fills in underneath the trees; lending a softness to the forest floor.
We leave our wonderland of leaves and re-enter the moss-covered grounds; a stump provides the perfect terrain for an adventurous vine.
As our walk together reaches its end, we sit upon a fallen log and watch the sunbeams dance across the ground cover. A few more minutes away from the world, several more deep breaths, and eventually, we head back to the outside world.
The nourishing quiet of the forest lingers in our ears for many hours more.
As always, thank you for walking with me. To all those affected by the wildfires, I hope you’re safe, I hope you’re okay, and I hope we all get rain very soon.
See you next time,
♡ Whitney
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"The nourishing quiet of the forest lingers in our ears for many hours more." - Poetry! ❤️
Gorgeous scenes from the forest. Praying the fires burning near you and me provide the opportunity for growth and minimal loss.