The Wild Woman Walker: August 2014

Friday, August 29, 2014

Expecting the Unexpected

On a warm, summer Sunday morning, I was doing a quiet stroll along the sleepy Willamette River, not particularly expecting anything new from this familiar path I had walked many times. Having no expectations for any unusual experiences, my focus was just to complete my healthful exercise in nature before it got too hot. I was already feeling the warmth of the sun’s rays, as it moved higher in the cloudless, blue sky. But still, even with nor particular purpose and always being ready to take an interesting photograph, I continued to scan my surroundings, as I walked on my favorite riverside trail .

A Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, stated long ago, “If you do not expect the unexpected, you will not find it, for it is not to be reached by search or trail.” While I always am open for something new, I wasn’t really “searching” for anything specific on this walk, but, if I encountered something unique on the trail - great! And I am always willing to follow that intuitive voice within, that urges me to veer from the recommended path and explore the unknown. However, after walking an hour on the trail that morning, as I circled through Alton Baker Park and over the river on the De Fazio footbridge, my experience appeared to be predictably familiar. In fact, most of the activity that morning, was in my head, with those racing thoughts mulling over some life changes I was considering.

With all that walking… (and thinking!), my awareness started to shift from my overactive brain to the beautiful colors and sights around me, and I started to see things that I had not noticed before. An unusual, stately cedar tree suddenly “presented” itself on the trail, as if it just happened to grow there since the last time I walked this path. And why had I never noticed those vibrant red roses growing outside the Owen Rose Garden, flourishing without the benefit of those garden volunteers? Pleased that I had noticed these subtleties of nature on the trail, I photographed them and immediately became even more aware of my surroundings.
As I climbed the path up Skinner’s Butte, I felt grateful for the towering trees, whose branches reached out, creating some generous shade that kept the path cool. It was just a small climb, with not much challenge, but still, with the increasing temperature, I was glad when I reached the top of the butte. I stopped and paused to catch my breath and enjoyed a slight breeze, as I turned to head down the path that encircled the butte. Not being prepared for what I saw, I stopped suddenly and stared ahead disbelievingly.

A beautiful fluffy, white rabbit was just sitting on the edge of the trail, unsuccessfully trying to camouflage himself. He really looked out of place with his brilliant white fur and pink ears, as he wiggled his little nose, trying to decide what to do now that I had seen him. Not appearing fearful or even concerned with me watching him, he started to munch on a stalk of grass next to the trail.

As I was conjuring up a “story” about the white rabbit in my imagination, this bunny looked at me briefly with one of his pink eyes and hopped quickly down the hillside out of sight. I ran over to the edge of the hill and watched him as he jumped down toward some brush. He paused for a moment, wiggled his pink nose again and then promptly disappeared into a nearby hole. Even without carrying a “watch” or saying, “I’m late for a very important date”, that rabbit reminded me of Alice’s chance encounter with another white rabbit, who guided her to “wonderland”. Not being ready for quite that much “adventure” on this Sunday morning, and, unlike Alice, I decided not to follow that white rabbit into his hole. Turning away and climbing back to the trail, the white rabbit now might have been out of sight, but he was definitely not out of my mind! I still had trouble believing my surprising sighting, but there they were on my camera… five photos of that beautiful white rabbit!

Another surprise was how delighted I felt in meeting this unusual critter on the trail. It was as if I experienced something “magical” on my walk. and now anything was possible! A recent study reported on by ABC News explained why life’s little unexpected pleasures affect us so much. It described how the brain’s pleasure centers are more “turned on” when we experience unpredictable pleasant things, compared to expected pleasant events. Evidently, according to new pictures of the brain, the nucleus accumbens, one of the pleasure centers in the brain, is more stimulated when experiencing an unexpected pleasurable event. It simply means that the brain finds unexpected pleasure more rewarding than expected ones, and it has little to do with what a person likes. Authors of the study, Dr.Gregory Berns, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Emory and Dr. Read Montague, associate professor of neuroscience at Baylor, say, “So we may subconsciously desire the unpredictable experience over the experience that we consciously prefer.” Well, the white rabbit encounter sure seemed to have “lit up” the pleasure center of my brain, as I laughed at the thought of my “Alice in wonderland” experience!

When I arrived at the Owen Rose Garden, I was once again pleasantly surprised upon seeing an incredible myriad of diverse floral color. Just walking through this garden two weeks before, few roses were in full bloom, and many flowers were showing the wear and tear of too much heat, with their brown edges and mottled petals. But today, the array of gorgeous roses in full bloom was indeed inspiring, and I immediately whisked out my camera to record those natural works of art.
Now, with my “nucleus accumbens” lit up like a Christmas tree, I ambled down the trail to the riverside, at Maury Jacobs Park and checked out the ducks, who made this place their home. My feathered friends, with honking and flapping their wings, seemed as excited to see me, as I was to see them. Even though I had no food to give them, they still lingered at the water’s edge, swimming around in their preferred groups. While I was photographing them, I saw something else that I had never noticed before.

White ducks were hanging out with brown and black and other multicolored ducks. Apparently, color didn’t matter to them, and integration among those ducks seemed to be working just fine! Perhaps, some scientists should study the ducks to find out just how they do it. We humans could sure use that kind of helpful information!
My river walk that Sunday morning was a delightful series of surprises that stimulated not only joy, but also inspired some awarenesses of wisdom,….and I was feeling pretty good, especially in the pleasure center of my brain! As I thought about my experience on the trail, I concluded that walking offers more opportunities for serendipitous surprises than any other leisure activity that I know of. With no competitive goal or ego-chasing agenda, I am more open on my walks to those surprising chance encounters. Even the ancient Greeks knew this! It’s definitely one of the biggest reasons why walking makes me not only healthier, but happier! Both my “lit up” brain and my happy heart really appreciate those wonderful unexpected treasures that just happen to be on the trail!

by Carol E. Fairbanks, W.W.W.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

On the Waves of Imagination

When I taught in public school, a poster, hanging in my classroom said, “If you can dream it, you can achieve it. If you can imagine it, you can become it.” The poster was meant to inform my students that it takes more than just thinking to be successful in making those dreams a reality. Sure, it takes hard work…. sometimes, a lot of it! But success always begins with an idea inspired by your imagination. It is born out of exploring answers to questions, like “What if…?” or “How could I ….?” . But you don’t have to go to school to learn how to use your powers of imagination. Even though you’re born knowing how to imagine, we just somehow forget to take time to engage that imagination, in the midst of the busyness of our life. Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “ The world is but a canvas to the imagination.” The opportunity to use your imagination is everywhere, in every experience…. especially in the natural world, where we are always inspired to open up a greater vision.

On my walk at Lincoln City Beach, by the Pacific Ocean, I saw many examples of how the natural elements of the seashore had inspired a creative curiosity in those who came there to play. Indeed, all five senses are naturally stimulated by a walk on the beach. As I walked down the shoreline, the wind blew very hard, pressing on me, as if urging me to move forward, and my jacket filled up with air, ballooning out and making me look three times my size. I was surprised by the large number of people at the beach on this foggy and cool day. But even with the lack of sun and blue skies, many had still come to play and have a good time. Some, not being content to just enjoy the view, actually got into the water, as they jumped and frolicked in the midst of the rolling waves.

There is something about being at the seashore and watching the never-ending rhythm of waves that seems to free our inhibitions and make us feel like a kid again. In hearing the sound of the surf, our rational brain slows down and we find ourselves in sync with that harmonious rhythm of nature. We have fun and laugh and play at the beach like no other place. The timeless sights and sounds activate our imagination, beckoning us to find ways to express the joy we feel here. We take off our shoes and feel the cool, wet, gritty sand on our feet, connecting to our mother earth with the love of a trusting child.

Rather than stumbling around in the labyrinth of our thoughts, at the ocean, we are now more alive in the present moment, being grounded in its awesome beauty. At first, feeling overwhelmed by the crashing waves and the vastness of the ocean extending to the horizon, we stop and stare at the expanse of water and lose ourselves in the efforts take it all in. Too much for our finite minds, the energy of the experience of being with this natural wonder moves to our hearts, where it can be more fully understood. As our heart fills up with the energy of the ocean, it spills over into our center of creativity within us, where our imagination speaks to us saying, “Express your joy!”
Instinctively, we reach down and grab a handful of sand and form it into a shape… and then another….and another. Finally, without any plans or “help” from our inner critic, a sand castle is created. No directions were needed… your imaginative “inner child” knew exactly what to do. Author, Ursula Le Guin, wrote, “The creative adult is the child who has survived.” And your “child”, who has been longing to play for some time, is not only surviving, but is thriving in this creative play by the sea.

Whether you are walking or jogging along the ocean’s edge or creating a sand castle, you’ll find your cares and concerns, that occupied you before you got there, are just carried away on the waves. There is no separation between you and those timeless waves, as all the natural elements there, including you, merge into a synchronicity with one heartbeat. Some people even gaze at the activity of waves, as they feel the winds push at them, and begin to imagine what it would be like to fly over the water. And with a leap of their imagination, they overcome the impossibilities of that dream… by windsurfing! Before they know it, they are leaping up off the waves and are carried by the wind into the blue sky. Muhammad Ali said in an interview once, “The man who has no imagination, has no wings.” With a little imagination and a lot of courage, windsurfing can help you overcome the limitations of gravity and allow you to fly above those waves, just as if you had wings!

Who knows exactly why walking and playing at the seashore seems to transform us into playful kids, but it does. Life by the ocean has a magical quality about it, where time seems to slow down against a backdrop of scenic beauty. Even many people, who live at the seashore, creatively decorate their homes with delightful signs and playful images and decor. The colors of many coastal houses are bright and cheerful, often having huge windows that allow for leisurely gazing at the activities of the seashore.

When I need to slow down and connect to the essence of my being, I stroll on the beach. When I am feeling anxious and troubled, a walk at the seashore makes me feel more loved and grounded. And when I am sad, due to some loss, watching the endless flow of waves seems to reassure me of an infinite destiny beyond my present limited vision. My walk at Lincoln City beach, as with all my walks at the seashore, opened up the treasure of my imagination. As I walked along the water’s edge, hearing the pounding surf and feeling the wind nudge me forward, I felt more confident of my place in the scheme of things. Like the waves and the wind and the noisy seagulls, I, too, have a purpose and gift to offer the world. And with my imagination, freed up by this ocean front experience, I now walk in greater possibility …hand in hand with my happy “inner child”.

by Carol E Fairbanks, W.W.W.

Monday, August 11, 2014

United by the Trail

In an era of history, where materialism, competition and fear of diversity appear to be undermining our desire for personal and planetary peace, there is a small corner of the earth that is demonstrating how that desire for serenity can indeed be achieved. Inspired by the vision for a more connected community, a leadership has emerged in the small coastal town of Yachats in Oregon, with the goal of supporting and building a network of trails that would better connect their village, the coastal forest and the Pacific Ocean.

Among those leaders was Dr. James Gerdemann, a retired botanist and Professor Emeritus of the University of Illinois, who with his wife, Janice, a retired teacher, created a 3.5 acre outdoor protected wild space on a wooded hillside facing the Pacific Ocean and bordering the Siuslaw National Forest. This protected natural easement, now called Gerdemann Botanical Preserve, contains numerous native plant species, along with exotics, not ordinarily grown in this region, and hybrids bred by Jim to survive in this coastal climate. And all of these beautiful plants make up the understory to the native forest of Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock, that has been there for hundreds of years.

Gerdemann Botanical Preserve now offers a magical path along a small creek in the midst of some impressive Big Leaf rhododendrons and lush, verdant ferns. On the trail through the preserve, there stands a stately Sitka Spruce, called “Grandmother Spruce”, who survived logging during World War I and is estimated to have spanned Mitchell Creek for at least 300 years.

Since Jim’s passing in 2008, the new conservators/ owners of the preserve, Jerry and Kathleen Sand, now manage the conservation site, that offers educational programs and tours, as well as research and apprenticeship opportunities with state universities. With the support of the city of Yachats and other private grants and countless hours of community volunteer efforts, an irrevocable conservation easement has been established to ensure protection of more than 2500 species of plants, making Gerdemann Botanical Preserve a permanent public living legacy. It is truly a place of natural beauty and serenity, where all can stroll the meandering paths and marvel at the sights of that extraordinary range of plants growing there in that sheltered glen, just a few blocks from the roaring surf of the Pacific.

Just completed in 2013, the new Ya’ Xaik Trail now offers hikers a continuous one mile loop from the historic 804 Trail, at the edge of the Pacific, up through the Gerdemann Botanical Preserve and across the Suislaw National Forest land. The trail finally takes hikers back across Highway 101 to the 804 Trail and the beautiful seashore. Yachats mayor, Ron Brean, says “Trails bridge cultures, and they connect the past and the future.” He went on to say at the trail’s dedication in May, “The city of Yachats is especially grateful to the Siuslaw National Forest, Angell Job Corps Urban Forestry Program, the many land owners and the tireless volunteers, who have all assisted with the creation of this outstanding resource, that will benefit residents and visitors for years to come.” He also claimed at this dedication on National Trails Day, that “ the natural trails in Yachats offer people an opportunity to explore the area and experience the unique natural, historical and cultural stories that are offered here.” He explained that the spelling of the name of this new trail, Ya’Xaik, is an approximation of the original name of the only recorded settlement of the native Alsea people, who lived in this area for thousands of years. The Ya’Xaik Trail honors their memory and gives respect for their contribution to the culture and history of the Yachats area.

It is in the construction of these trails and preservation of this vibrant natural area, that people of today have the opportunity to walk some of the same trails that were traveled seasonally by the Alsea people between the coast and inland hunting grounds. We can have similar experiences, like those of the native people of the past, as they traveled on these trails to visit among their families and friends. We may then feel a connection and, perhaps, a greater understanding of those inhabitants of long ago. The trails that the people of Yachats have built today, like the Amanda Trail on the south side of town, leading to Cape Perpetua, and now the Ya’Xaik Trail on the northern end, can indeed tell stories that honor the lives of the Alsea people, who once lived there. And with similar experiences on the trail, we, like the Alsea people, can have an opportunity to connect with the natural beauty of the woods and coast, and, hopefully, we might then be more committed to the mission of preserving it today.

In creating the Ya’Xaik Trail, as a stunning addition to the impressive web of trails in Yachats, it’s taken many people, being united in a common vision, to make it happen. The Job Corps forestry students, the members of the Yachats Trail Committee and many citizen volunteers have all dedicated many hours to make the dream of these trails a reality. The completion of the Ya’Xaik Trail, itself, represents yet another successful collaboration by the City of Yachats and the Suislaw National Forest. Funding was also added to the vision and hard work by the City of Yachats, Oregon State Parks and View the Future, a local organization dedicated to preserving Yachats’ natural beauty. Just as it “takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village and then some to plan and build trails. In short, it takes lots of people, connecting and cooperating in working toward manifesting a common goal. Finally, all those experiences of planning, building and walking those vibrant trails become our symbols of peace and harmony, that encourage us to be more fully connected to one another.

So, as the people of Yachats have dreamed for a better community through honoring the rich history of their past and conserving their scenic environment for the future, they have connected in a most meaningful way. As a community, they have envisioned the best kind of place in which to live and are working together to make it a reality. They know that nothing can be a better teacher than a first hand experience… especially in nature! When we walk in the woods or by the seashore, our sense of self is expanded, and suddenly there is enough room for a greater compassion and consideration for others. Mayor Ron Brean suggests that we try shouting out the original sounds - “yah’ khik". He says “Shout it out next time you’re on the trail in Yachats. Think about those connections, let the beauty of nature surround you, and experience the layers of meaning to be found just by following a trail through the woods.”
In the process of preserving those pristine woods, we then give ourselves a wonderful opportunity to more fully experience the treasure that nature lovingly offers us. The sacredness of that natural beauty can then awaken the sacredness in us… as we walk the trails together ….in that sought after peace.

by Carol E Fairbanks, W.W.W.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

"We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light."

~ Mary Dunbar

"Letting My Light Shine"

I've always been a little on the shy side.... afraid to speak up for fear of not being accepted. Confidence was not something that was nurtured in my childhood home; in fact, if I talked about an accomplishment I had achieved at school, Dad would shame my "boasting" and call me a "hot shot". So I learned early to be quiet and solitary and ....very independent! I learned to "hide" who I was behind a facade of "not knowing" and keep the things I loved to do, like drawing and writing and dancing, to myself. I lived my life fully in my imagination and daydreams, where I saw myself as successful, happy and very much loved. But in my "real" life, I was looked upon as not too intelligent, probably because I was so quiet and very much lacking in confidence. When you are always operating in another "world", it really is very difficult to communicate effectively with others. As a result, I always appeared detached and frozen, as I tried my best to not be noticed.

One advantage, however, in being so introspective, is that I became acquainted with dimensions of myself on very deep levels and at a very young age. I contemplated and drew and wrote about topics that were more for adults, than children. I noticed the discrepancy in the roles of men and women and decided that I was not going to become "other dependent", as I saw most women. I explored the interdependency of living things in the natural world, and wrote about conservation of the environment, before it became a hot news item. The unfortunate thing is that I never shared it with anyone.... not my special drawings, nor my poetry, nor even my deepest profound thoughts and ideas. As a child, and even as an adult, I had no desire or confidence to share any of my "inner life" with anyone else. I needed to keep that part of me safe and protected. I wanted that part of me never to experience the hurt and abuse that was so common in my family when I was growing up. So I was diligent in hiding my "light" from others, not realizing that I was hurting myself more than anyone else ever had, just by doing so.

An interesting thing happened, as I lived longer than my fear and moved into my elder years. I simply stopped caring so much about what others thought of me. Yes, I still cared about others and wanted relationships with them, but I no longer let their opinions define how I saw myself. Rather than being an event, this transition of self perception was a gradual process where I found myself thinking less and less about what others were saying and doing, as they were relating to me. I no longer wanted to spend my precious energy trying to "figure out" how others really felt about me. In fact, psychologists are now saying that whatever people are saying or doing is really all about them ..NOT ME! (Isn't that a load off!!)

Today, not only am I not hiding my "light" expressions of art, and writing and hiking, I am posting all of it, as fast as I can on FACEBOOK!! Yes, I am beaming that "inner Carol" into cyberspace in the form of paintings, drawings and writings all over the world, to as far away as the Ukraine and China! Thousands of people are reading my words in several blogs I write, and I am not the least bit shy about sharing how I feel. In fact, you might say that it is empowering!

So, what's this painting about that I have posted with this writing? I am not sure, but it feels like "empowerment" to me. And the source of that "power" looks like it is arising from within her and also is strengthened by her connection to all forms of life. From her sacred hair (the essence of who she is), luminous water (her gifts to the world) flows out and nourishes all. All life is in harmony and balance in this painting, which "danced" out of my imagination. But this painting is not only about me, it's about everyone! When we are in touch with who we are and are grounded in that truth, we can finally relate to all of creation in a balanced and harmonious way. This is true peace, and it starts in each person's heart and inspires an honest sharing of the "light" that is found there.

And, by the way, the daypack that I carry with me on my hikes, has the words, "Hot Shot" written on the back.

by Carol E Fairbanks, W.W.W.

Birthing a New Landscape

It was an experience of contrasts on my seven mile hike to Ramona Falls in the Mt. Hood Wilderness in Oregon. On my trek there, I saw downed logs lying near stark forests of Douglas Fir, eroded, crumbling banks of the Sandy River and tall, stately basalt cliffs, produced by past volcanic eruptions, that rose up seeming to challenge the volcano on the horizon, Mt. Hood. There was evidence everywhere that landforms were either being worn down, as in the barren Sandy riverbed, or in the process of being built up, as in the lava dome, Crater Rock, seen on the face of Mt. Hood. I passed by desert-like plants, hardy enough to endure lots of heat and very little water and later on the trail marveled at the emerald green mosses that covered the wet rocks lining Ramona Creek.

Everywhere I looked, expressions of nature were speaking to me telling me their stories of creation and loss. The drama of the mountain, river and trees was demonstrated in those areas that were either being built up or broken down by the forces of nature. Nothing was static - the Sandy River flowed rapidly, carrying a concentration of ground down soil particles from the mountain, and Mt. Hood, during its history of eruptions, had released huge amounts of mud, often choking the flow of Sandy River. The cycle of birthing a landscape was clearly demonstrated before me by the interactions of all of those natural elements .

The laws of nature had set those changes into motion hundreds and thousands of years ago, and here I was, on my walk, being a witness to its playing out in all its magnificence. The landscape, continually changing and altering its face, was presenting to me a vivid picture of the cycle of birth, death and rebirth …. the law by which all creation lives. I, too, have seen in my life, that as things have been built up, they ultimately break apart and fall away, leaving room for some new birth to take place.

All growth, both within and without, is based on this premise of gain and loss. This is the foundation, upon which all of creation depends, as it moves toward some ideal of existence. That is why, resisting change and holding onto the status quo only inhibits our growth and diminishes our potential. Even the act of loving follows this expression of manifestation, as we sometimes are asked to let go of what or who we profess to love. Nature teaches us that holding on to anything or anyone can block the destiny of what is asking to be born. And, as with all births, it probably does not happen without some grief and pain.

The scarring of the face of Mt. Hood, that reveals its sporadically violent natural history, and the carved out banks of Sandy River demonstrate that birth process. Sometimes the sweeping natural forces of change are so powerful that even those things that appear immoveable are still broken away with great drama and violence, as with the pyroclastic mud flows from Mt. Hood, that scoured out the valley of Sandy River. The landscape in the Mt. Hood Wilderness has changed dramatically through the years, and with each eruption, what was lost was gone forever.

But, fortunately, there are some places, both in the Mt Hood Wilderness and in our lives, that remain peaceful and unchanged - a place of oasis, where we can be at rest and heal from the challenging trauma of change and loss. That’s what it felt like to me when I suddenly came upon the babbling Ramona Creek on the north fork of the trail. Almost instantly the hot temperature was cooled by the flowing water in the creek I hiked near, as the tall Douglas Fir and Western Hemlock trees formed a canopy that covered the trail with welcome shade. The stark changes along the Sandy River, that had been affected by former volcanic eruptions and rock slides, were left behind, and the rocky dry soil transitioned into a vibrant environment, abundant with green underbrush and emerald colored moss. And, as I continued up the narrow rock canyon trail following Ramona Creek, it only became more lush and beautiful. As I witnessed a landscape brimming over with an abundance of life force, I, too, began to feel more alive.

As I went around the last curve in the trail before reaching the falls, I finally had my first glance at the dazzling Ramona Falls. Upon seeing it, I was in awe of its magnificent size and beauty. My senses were sharpened, as I felt the cool mist and lower temperature of this mammoth, cascading waterfalls. The sound of its countless mini falls, reverberating off the stair-stepped cliffs of the columnar basalt wall, was a symphony of soothing, delightful sound. The vision of lace-like patterns of falling water in this nurturing resting place, was as inspiring as any great cathedral in Europe. All of what my senses were taking in supported an inner restoration, that brought to my mind the certainty of an absolute goodness that underlies everything in the universe - even the devastating changes.

After sitting on a rock by the falls for a while, I removed my shoes and socks, and immersed my hot, tired feet in the cold water. As the water flowed gently over my feet, I felt a love from which that universal goodness flows. It was a direct experience, beyond words, of the love that pervades and directs the universe, and I became more aware of my part in that dance of the cosmos. As I completed my hike back to the trailhead, I noticed that I did not feel as hot as I had when I made my ascent. Even though it was hotter, the memory of my feet in the cold water at Ramona Falls seemed to keep me from experiencing the same drenching perspiration, that had soaked my shirt on the way up. When I arrived back at the parking area, the only thing exceeding my happiness in completing the trail, was the joy of seeing that I had luckily parked my car in an area that was now shaded and cool. It was a most welcome gift of the trees.

Albert Einstein once said, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” I believe he meant that nature teaches us not only about the world outside of us, but also within us. Indeed, as we connect more fully with nature’s landscapes, the mystery of our own inner landscape becomes clearer to us. The hike to Ramona Falls offered me the reassurance of being more at peace with all those stages of transition in my life. It is the treasure of that greater awareness of the underlying goodness in every step of the natural cycle - whether in the building up or the breaking down, that gives us strength to be. Indeed, it is truly comforting to know that through the birth of every new landscape, in us and on the earth, there promises to be some restorative experience, like Ramona Falls….which always supports our journey in expressing more fully the essence of who we are.