For our honeymoon, Dave and I traveled to Switzerland and Italy, not just to see the sights or eat the cuisine, but also to hike the Alps. Our first anniversary found us rambling the hills and heaths of England and Scotland. Since then we’ve trekked in many locales: the canyons of our once hometown, Ojai, California, the Pyrenees in Spain, the rainforests of Hawaii, and wherever and whenever the opportunity presented itself. Our most recent adventures find us in the mountains of Montana with the company of our two dogs, Buddy and Teddy. Buddy is big and Teddy is little.
And that is the crux of my story.
When we hike, Dave sees the big picture—the hulking mountains, the soaring pines, the rocky ledges, and expansive green valleys. I see the minute—the toadstools, the berries, the whorls in the trunk of a fallen tree. This may seem like a monumental difference between us, but I’m not so sure.
Once, when I was staring up at a star-filled sky, a niggling thought came to mind, that the stars from my earthly perspective were specks of glitter reflecting light into the biggest thing I can possibly think of—the ever-expanding universe. And then my mind jumped to Horton Hears a Who, how a speck of dust can, in itself, be a universe, which, in turn led me to thinking that the universe could expand so far that it would eventually become nothing at all, which is smaller than small. Perhaps astrophysicists can explain this concept with a well-debated theory or at the very least some fancy vocabulary, but for me, the layman (stone-cold sober, by the way), when I was pondering that starry, starry night, I felt simultaneously a part of something huge and also insignificant.
But back to hiking.
The dogs, I am fairly certain, don’t think about the universe when we’re out and about. I don’t even think they see the majestic peak against the horizon, or the purple lupine in the foreground, because their noses are glued to the ground. They’re experiencing the universe by sniffing. Occasionally, a scent is so alluring that they lift a leg and have a good pee.
I have learned from our dogs, not how to lift my leg and have a good pee, but to use all my senses while traversing hills and dales. I breathe in the scent of the pines, and of the damp earth, and the sweet ripeness of a thimbleberry patch. I occasionally taste a sun-warmed berry. I listen for the chatter of squirrels, birdsong, the whisper of the wind, and the utter silence of a blanket of snow. I touch the springy moss creeping up the north side of a tree, the crisp cool of river water gushing and gurgling, a rock weathered smooth. Occasionally, I point out these treasures to Dave who is gazing into the distance.
When these essences of nature surround me, all that nonsense about big and little and my place in the universe melts away. I cease over-thinking. I simply enjoy the way nature nurtures me, allowing me to exist without a worry or a heavy-duty thought, until Buddy nuzzles my hand, or Teddy woofs me to attention, reminding me that I have a few more miles to go before I rest.
Beautiful! I share your love for our earth and contemplating the vastness of the Universe. We are stardust. Nature is my greatest teacher! Thank you!
Kindred sisters!!!!
“…This may seem like a monumental difference between us, but I’m not so sure..”
My favorite of your blogs so far, Heide. Probably unsprisingly, lol. It made me laugh and made me think.
So good.
love, Diana
Diana, I am so thrilled I made you laugh. It is a great medicine. I am going to be in your neck of the woods come February. I will make an appointment and perhaps before or after we can grab a tea. Much love to you and all of yours.
I would so love that!
You hand us the big and the small, the macro, the micro, the universal and specifically personal. All this you give us and it touches all the big and small that we know.
It’s true, you do give us what we know–we’ve been there or some there of our own. The only thing we might do next with these wonderful, shimmering images and words of your post, is to write our own fabulous engagement with nature. Some already do whole blogs on this, I’m thinking of Susan Carr’s “Wondrous Nature.” But, why not take a napkin or journal and open up that treasure box of our memories…and share our love stories. Thank you Heide!
You are the story queen. Not only do you bring yours to light, but you help so many others do the same. Thank you for reading my “scratchings.” I am honored.
I hike exactly like you! And my husband like yours. Very often I find him flat on his back contemplating the vastness, or maybe napping, because he has arrived at a destination so much quicker than me. I so enjoy your musings!
Hi Lana, it most be a men are from mars and women from venus thing. I love watching your travels and exploits on FB too. It’s the positive side of social media. Thanks for reading.
So beautifully captured from all perspectives 🥰
Hi Jackie, I really want to get you out here to enjoy the universe of Montana. Love to you and yours.
Heide you are a magical wrter. I Love, Love, Love this piece.
And I Love, Love, Love you!
What beautiful, beautiful places…both in your pictures and inside your imagination! The wonder you describe is exactly what I relish about Alaska. Ever since I was a child I’ve wanted to live in a Natural History museum! So many of my happiest memories take place outdoors! That said, I miss our times around Gina’s kitchen table and hope all of you Boydens are happy and well :^).
Lindsey, it is so wonderful to hear from you. Yes, nature is an elixir. I miss our times around Gina’s table, too, and hearing about all of our exploits, ups and downs. I do hope life is giving you all the good that you deserve. I hope to be back in CA most of February. Perhaps we can meet?
Absolutely beautiful, Heide. I love the photos, too! Blessings to you. I still think of that magical writer’s retreat at your Ojai home and your graciousness.
Dear Angela, come and have another retreat in Montana and bring Diana and Mimi. That would be a time to behold. I love following you on FB, too. I still feel connected.
Dear beautiful and wise Heide, who is also bonny & blithe. You are a friend of my soul. You are a blessing to me and to all whose path you cross, in person or through your written word.
Whether Big or Little, there’s no right or wrong, the importance is;
Present Moment, Precious Moment!
(That’s probably Thich Nhat Hanh’s, I’m not sure)
Great piece💫🌟Thank you.
Namaste 🙏🏻 💖🕉☮️☯️
Thank you…and I think “present moment, precious moment” is one hundred percent Karen Kelly. Love you and thank you, too, for all that you give.
Cute couple!
Flattery will get you everywhere.