POETRY ABOUNDS

From time to time, it just so happens that a poet crosses our path. He may be long gone but his poetry lives on in our hearts. Such an event occurred recently while I read e. e. cummings. One of his poems ended thus: "...the sweet small clumsy feet of April came

                       into the ragged meadow of my soul."

I have never heard April so well described. This and that spring are past. Summer is here. Don't miss a moment of it. You don't get it back.

MIST & MOSS ON THE MC KENZIE RIVER

My last outing was up the McKenzie River on Highway 126. This being summer, it was in the 90's when I drove up the Cascade foothills to an old campground located in an old-growth forest. Some of the Douglas Fir trees are 10' in diameter and are said to have been old when Columbus set sail. 

The McKenzie River emits a mist rising into the surrounding trees allowing moss to grow on every surface. The camp host informed me of a special spot to view the river. Once there, I nearly fell over in a heap.  The first pix below is what I saw. The rocks are all coated with chartreuse moss. Trees that had taken root on rocks now leaned out over the river with their roots exposed from soil but covered with this same chartreuse moss. The entire surface of "non-river"substance is coated with the same beautiful moss. But the moss wasn't the show. The "SHOW" was the river. For a stretch of about 80' long and about 15' wide the river is a "Windex-Blue" in the most vibrant way possible. To accentuate that blue, the surrounding water takes on a translucent emerald green. The entire scene is breath taking in the real sense of these words.

Then came the thunder, then came the rain. It thundered down on the camp for about seven hours. The rain only fell for an hour or so but the dripping continued on throughout the day. I loved the little circles it made in the creek that ran through the campground. What a beautiful spot to spend a hot summer's day. We were all born wet so no worries with a bit of drizzle. Mist hung in the air like moss hung from the trees. The aroma of the sizzle from rain on warm forest could make a person light headed. I hope you don't miss it.

PATTERNS: SOUL SOOTHING SIGHTS

Under the sea, the beautiful sea, mollusks live and die. Their shells break into tiny particles and become part of the sand. In some places the whiteness provided by these shells equip the tide with the tools required of any artist to paint patterns. Oceans, of course, have no such intent. But if they had, I believe it would look like the swirls produced by receding waves as they washed shell-laden sand around a large rock on the Pacific shore. 

Then consider where jig-saw puzzles come from. The tall Ponderosa Pine sheds outer layers of bark each Spring as it grows a bit in circumference. These small pieces about 1 - 2 inches across resemble pieces in any jig-saw puzzle box. If you are enamored of such puzzles, I would bet you would be hard pressed to walk under the Ponderosa Pine without wanting to solve a puzzle or two.

Mother Nature gives us patterns to delight our eyes, tickle our fancy, and sooth our soul. Take time to absorb the wondrous variety that abounds on your next hike.

PUT YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS

Celebrating the Summer Solstice brought me to the top of Mary's Peak here in Oregon. It is considered to be the highest spot in the Coast Range. The top is dressed in large rolling meadows filled with Field Chickweed which lures butterflies to linger. Walking to the top from the parking lot took me past rocky slopes filled with Broad Gentian, Indian Paintbrush, Spreading Phlox, Sand Dune Wallflowers, Sheep Sorrel, Yarrow and Larkspur with an occasional Daisy and Clover thrown in. The color was head-spinning, or was I dizzy due to the elevation? 

The two predominant butterflies were the Spring Azure and the Meadow Fritillary. Both were busy but did stop for a pix. 

There were skiffs of clouds scooting around the mountain tops with patches of blue showing through enough to kid ourselves about Summer's arrival. Oh well, it will come. Then we can all gear up, get out and enjoy the eye-popping vistas awaiting. Plan to put your head in the clouds and enjoy!

SOUL ROAD

On a recent trip to the Elliot State Forest I turned off I-5 south of Eugene onto Hwy 38. Warm sunshine filled the air bringing summer into the van. It seems like my favorite road is the one I am traveling on at any given time, but Hwy 38 is really my "soul road" since it takes me home. My belief is that we all have a "soul road".  On mine ditches and banks are lined with familiar vegetation. I know their names, their habits and their seasons. I think that is one of the hallmarks of home, to be on a first name basis with the vegetation.

Daisies bloomed in profusion spreading  blankets of white up the banks and across the meadows. Purple peas and yellow mustard were interspersed for contrast.

Stopping at the small boat ramp / park between Hwy 38 and the Umpqua River I was taken with the jewel box of a river. High tide had it moving quickly and thickly as it fled seaward. Colored as an emerald topped with a sprinkling of diamond white caps it reflected the blue sky above. No wonder I love it.

The elk were in their meadow between the hills and the highway. The females and yearlings played "follow the leader" through the tall meadow grasses. Further along the old bulls were lazing about right out from the viewing spot. You would think they got paid to do that. While there, I got the most wonderful pix of a Red-winged Blackbird.

You must have a "soul road" that you can visit this season. Don't miss the opportunity. We can only count on having today, right now, get going! You won't regret it!