Point Lobos State Reserve

Waking up early again. This time, however, several others were up near by. I left camp and drove up the coast to Monterey. Veteran's Memorial Park has camp sites on a first come, first serve basis. I arrived to find an empty spot. I claimed it and paid. I drove through Carmel on my way to Point Lobos State Reserve.

Upon arrival, I noticed an artist setting up to paint. She reported that this weekend was the annual Carmel Art Festival. One of the main features is 60 painting of local places by artists. I had planned to hike around the entire peninsula. After walking through the cypress forest, I learned about the "successful" whaling company that was stationed there. The company killed about 200 of the 400 whales on the west coast during that time period.

Cypress Trees

Hiking partner

I feel like I am being watched 

The next arm of the peninsula housed sea lions. Many were lounging on the sand or rocks. A few were playing in the water.  A short incline lead to the top of cliffs where no one else was. A walk through the forest brought me to the south shore where a type of black bird was nesting. Lots of them.
Further walking lead to tide pools at low tide. No starfish, but several different types of crabs. Just beyond this area one could walk out on the cliffs and watch the water crash on the rocks. While walking the final part of the loop porpoises could be seen and a whale briefly.

Fog starting to part

unique rock formations

Maybe petrified wood

  The fog was gone by 3:00. I drove back down the coast to see a different part of it in the sunlight. I was once again joined by many people. I went to Garrapata State Park unknowingly.  I pulled over at a turnout and walked down a trail to a quiet beach. When I came back up to the car and continued driving, I saw the sign for the park.

I decided to drive back to Carmel and stop at the art festival before heading to camp. I also wanted to get ice cream. After all, is it really a vacation without ice cream? Carmel is known for very nice restaurants and stores. I thankfully found parking and an ice cream shop. No coconut ice cream, so green mint  chocolate chip. I walked down to the beach in a wind jacket, hiking pants, chacos and dirty feet. Most other patrons were dressed to the nines and hurrying to dinner.

The paintings at the art festival were neat to see especially since I had seen several painters in action. I thought I could quickly set up the tent and walk down to see the sunset. Well, the walk to the sunset did not work out well as I never made it to the beach. I thought the road would, but it just kept going and going.

The one person tent is really for one person

Big Sur

Being excited to be up at 3:00AM on a Wednesday morning, means it's adventure time! After a quick shower and packing the final items, I drove on the empty roads to a friend's house. Yes, a friend who was very kind to get up at 4AM to take me to the airport. I had to check a bag as I was bringing a tent that had stakes. I made it through security only losing an unopened peanut butter container. Who knew that the consistency was too close to a liquid? Smooth flights landed me in San Jose 1130ish PST. After getting the rental car, I drove what ended up being four hours to almost the end of the Big Sur coast.

In Carmel, I stopped at a Safeway to purchase peanut butter and three gallons of water for drinking. The cellphone signal dropped immediately when entering the Big Sur area. The road reminds me of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Harepin turns, overlooks/turnouts, beautiful scenery. Mountains meeting the sea is beautiful even when cloudy/foggy. Just as I was beginning to regret picking a campground so far down the coast, I saw the sign for Sand Dollar Beach. I was exhausted, but had arrived. 

Bixby Bridge

Not a bad view while grazing

Sand Dollar Beach

A seat just for you

After setting up the tent, I went for a stroll on the bluffs and down to Sand Dollar Beach. After getting settled in. I turned in at about 7PM PST. The next morning, I awoke too early and tried to be still until an acceptable time to break camp. At 6:00, I packed up and drove up the coast. All choices have consequences. Driving up the coast early is no different. One is rewarded by very few cars, but have to accept fog hanging on the mountains making the water grey. 

I arrived at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park with no other cars around. I make the quick hike to the falls. It was special to be here alone. Why you ask? Mom hung a picture of these falls in the sun in my parent's bedroom many years ago. I think the picked it simply because of the blue colors and Dad's love of waterfalls. It was pretty special to be standing where the photographer had been standing. I wonder if she knows I was there? 

parts of a foundation of the "waterfall house" built by the Pfeiffer family. The bedroom  had a view of the falls.

View from the front door. 

I decided I would prefer a hike in the redwoods up the mountain across the road despite knowing I would miss the beautiful views of the ocean at the top. The cool morning temperature, birds chirping, bubbling of stream that fed the waterfall, towering redwood, and scattered wildflowers did not disappoint. As I was descending the loop people were ascending. Perfect timing :)

Where the ocean is under fog

After driving more windy beautiful miles on the coast, I checked in to Pfeiffer State Park where I would be camping. I read in a brochure about Pfeiffer beach. It is a beach down a road without a road sign. The area offers a river running into the ocean, waves have worn natural bridges in rocks, sand beaches to walk/relax while listening to the crashing waves. After a nap of a rock, the sun was burning off the fog. I drove down several miles of the coast to see it in the sunlight. The colors are completely different. Turquoise, bright blue, deep blue, green hills, light blue sky. Beautiful!

Taking advantage of the sun and trying to stay up alittle later, I decided to hike to the view and Pfeiffer Falls in Pfeiffer State Park. On the way, I met three older gentleman who were backpackers in Sierra Mountains usually, but wanted to take advantage of shoulder season at Big Sur.  After exchanging small talk at the view, they suggested Wilder Ranch State Park and Henry Cowell State Park near Santa Cruz. I noted those for Saturday and Sunday. 

Not the car I rented :)

Some of many people on the coastal highway

Pfeiffer Falls

View of the valley and to the coast

I turned in early again reading while listening to the river about 10 feet away is a great way to end the day. 

New:

A couple of weeks ago now, I was so happy when I heard the news that a patient was receiving a heart transplant. The patient ,born with a heart defect, is now a teenager. The patient and family had been waiting months for a new heart while in the hospital. I was struck with the emotions of it all. The happiness of a new heart, a second chance hand in hand with another family grieving the loss of a child. My thoughts wondered to the parallels in Christians' story. We all needed new hearts. Someone, Jesus, had to die for us to receive a heart transplant. I have read the parables about the lost son, coin, sheep and the celebration of one being found. I, however, have not experienced that joy in people. The joy I felt when I heard the news carried me through several days.


 Another parallel between a physical heart transplant and spiritual heart transplant is the rest of the body. The hours and days immediately following the transplant are vital. The organs, especially the lungs and kidneys, have to adjust to the new heart and the blood flow. The new heart changes the environment of the body totally. When Jesus changes our hearts, our lives and bodies adjust too. Once someone has an organ transplant the first several months other areas of their life change...wearing a mask, diet, socializing are a few. We too should have changes in our life choices that are evident.

Another aspect of new is spring. I enjoy the beauty of spring. The colors, the variety, the warmer days. First the daffodils, then pears, cherry trees, tulips, then my favorite dogwoods and azaleas. A week ago Saturday, I went to Duke Gardens.  I was missing Mom. She enjoyed spending time here. I figured something would be in bloom there. I was welcomed by a path lined with cherry trees in full bloom. The trees were beautiful throughout the gardens. When I arrived at the center section, I was overwhelmed with hundreds of tulips. Many colors, sizes, and shapes filled the tiers. Just beautiful. Earlier this week while on a run, I noticed all the daffodils are closed and brown. The cherry blooms gave way to light green leaves. Dogwood are still in bloom. The scripture in Matthew 6 that reminds us that God and Jesus create and care for the flowers of the field that are here today and gone tomorrow. How much more can we trust God to care for us. I also thought of the scripture in Isaiah that states, the grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of God stands forever.

Do you ever feel like the one pink one in all the purple? :)

potential

Opening

Beauty of everyone doing their part

What do flights, shopping center, runs, saxophone and sweet potatoes have in common?

Emotions and behavior discussion was very relevant in my life these past few weeks. Sometimes, our feelings and emotions lead to our behavior (good or bad). If we feel tired or down, we won't work out and eat unhealthy food instead. If we feel angry, we may say something we regret. If we feel happy or accomplished, we want to celebrate. Other times, however, our behavior influences our emotions. Part of being human is the privilege of having emotions and feelings. Learning how to live with them well can be challenging.

Also, the same place can elicit many different emotions. For example, this week as I was flying into the triangle area, I was sad no one would be picking me up at the airport. I had to drive back to where I live. I live here rather than in Charlotte. Although, I have not lived in Charlotte for a while, I still travel through there often. Once I was driving home and talking to Dad on the phone, the feelings left.  Last night after driving to Raleigh and around Raleigh to meet friends, I had the same feeling I did seeing the San Gabriel Mountains when driving back from LA proper. I was glad to be living in the small town where walking, biking, running, more relaxed and friendly environment.

The running group begins and ends each run at the running store. Upon entering the shopping center at the end of the run, a fellow runner and I were remarking we could get hair cut, eyebrows done, European wax, massage, buy a wedding dress, and eat average food at chain restaurants all in the same place across the street from a large commercial mall. We agreed we enjoyed our small neighboring town where none of this is found. Online, the town I live in is referred to a middle to lower middle class town that people chose to live here. This is accurate. Sure, we go to the neighboring cities for their amenities, but enjoy returning to the refuge of more simple, relaxed lifestyle. So the very town I was not looking forward to returning earlier this week was a wanted refuge a few short days later.

Another example I experienced this week was working with a highly anxious pt  and mother after a tumor resection. When asked why she was so anxious, the pt always responded she was afraid moving her leg would hurt and she could never move it again. With encouragement, time, and comparing aspects to other difficult tasks she had conquered, she slowly performed the tasks at hand. Each time, it was not as bad as she had anticipated. Her feelings were keeping her trapped. With encouragement from outside sources who had seen many similar situations, she was able to conquer the fear. No matter how old I get, new experiences often foster this scenario. Experience has taught me to pray, reach out, keep pushing through. If I let feelings dictate my behavior, I will miss out on some wonderful experiences and meeting people.

I was feeling down, like I did not to leave the house. Due to the goal of being able to run with the group, I am trying to keep up with the training program runs. Sometime runners will tell you the hardest step is the the first step out the door. Knowing this I laced up my shoes, grabbed a hat to cover my ears and my reflective vest. Sure enough, when I returned home, I was glad I had gone for the jog. I was in a better mood, more relaxed, not anxious.

Another example, I did not want to feel lonely this Sunday afternoon. I decided to attend a free saxophone concert at Duke. I had time between church and the concert. I began texting and calling friends I had not taken time to reach out to in awhile. One of the new friends texted back saying she was in the area. We went for a walk and then attended the concert together. Branford Marsalis made an appearance for one of the pieces. Behavior lead to more pleasant emotions and experiences.

I am not good at recognizing my emotions or even what the triggers are for most of them (happy and sad). It dawned on me last week that one of the things that was bothering me was change. I moved here with the intention of finding and building community. I thought staying put in one place, I would find it easily. Although, I have stayed put for several months, others have come and gone. My interests have waxed and waned. My roommates have changed.

I was reminded that the only thing that does not change is Jesus. He is our rock, our refuge, our strength in time of trouble. He created emotions. We are not robots. This evening while attempting to cook, do laundry, text friends, I tried baking sweet potatoes. While checking their progress later, they remained very firm. It was then, I realized I had forgotten to pierce them. As I was piercing them, I thought of this blog I started several weeks ago.

The potatoes were hard, firm, inedible. It is only by puncturing/damaging them deeply so to speak that heat can enter the soften to the center. Once soften, they are edible and useful. Without thinking about it, I daily put up a wall. I am "firm." Sometimes, events, words, expectations not met pierce through. The heat enters to the soul. I want to cry. Often I stop myself as it is not a good time or place. I will say, I have cried more in the past year than I have in quite a while. I guess it is a sign of being soften by the circumstance of life, personal and work.

In closing, this is a long random blog with thoughts started that will hopefully be fleshed out as I continue to trying to appreciate the gift  of emotions.