October 24, 2014
Near

Near

Nojoqui Falls

We pulled into the parking lot and three deer startled up the trail. The children screamed--shouting at best friends across the bus. Did you see, did you see?!

The same enthusiasm flew from the front seat to the back bench--and in and out of the windows--when we had passed through the tunnel just mintues before. 

Adventure! The enthusiasm of children. The discovery of new things. How they express their wonder so loudly, so plainly, with such contagion and excitement! I just love kids... 

Nojoqui Falls is about an hour from Santa Barbara. The Chumash Indians lived in and around this beautiful forested place, and you can sense stories from other times as you walk along the trails and smell the goodness of the wood and the green and the earth.

We spent the morning there, kicking up the dirt, examining the seeping water where the falls will spill over and create pools once it finally rains. Please, Lord. Let it rain...

And then there were the grey squirrels following us from above. And the coffee berry seeds in the scat. And the bay trees which smelled heavenly. The stalagmites being created in front of our eyes.

And the hollowed out trees, ripe for exploring.

If you don't have kids in your midst to adventure with, I recommend you ask around and find some! Borrow a child, and take him straight to nature and let him explore. Give him a stick. Let her throw rocks. Bring a thermos of hot chocolate to share. 

And good grief. Try not to freak out if a tarantula comes ambling across your path.

Try!

Above all, admire the beauty,

and breathe...

Published: October 24, 2014 | Filed under: Near

Comments (2)
Carp; said:
October 24, 2014 @ 4:11 PM

What a beautiful adventure! I absolutely love that bottom photo! It's truly gorgeous.

Reply
Emmie said:
April 11, 2016 @ 7:24 AM

Your photos are amazing. Thank you for sharing!

Reply
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