Walk About

The terrain is dry, crunchy under foot
step…..snap
Walking with stick in hand for balance
Listening to a variety of birds….....
chirping, singing, talking to one another

Humminbirds darting in and out of eye sight
leaving only their whistling to
trail after them.
Pine needles cushion each step now
and the rich smells of dirt, pine, juniper
and something sweat we can’t detect exactly….
each aroma fills the air. Breathing deep through
nostrils happily identifying each scent.

Boulders the size of homes, covered in
strayations of lines formed from centuries of
weather and geological wonders,
each seems to have a soul, a story, a living
breathing beat. Trees hug near the stones
and grow in odd shapes to accomodate
their unseeming partners.
Prickly Pear Cactus & Barrel Cactus proudly
show off their stunning yellow and pink flowers.

An old well has been capped off in the meadow
and it makes the perfect resting site
for water and fruit. Listen…....the only sound
is in the trees; they are laughing and
sharing stories. You can hear the different
voices of Nature in these giant guardians.
Juniper sounds nothing like Ponderosa Pine, and
Aspen has a language all her own as well.

Just beyond the well is the delapidated
remains of an old root cellar. Rumor
has it this area was occupied by trappers
from the last part of the 1800’s, maybe into
the l920’s. Partial stone walls as foundations
are everywhere. Even an old caved- in chimney
makes a great hide out for a small lizzard
keeping an eye on us.

Brother Bear has passed this way too.
Old dried out scat proves his pressence.
We heard “chuffing” noises but no creature
showed to see. We were being watched
for certain! Evidence of Coyote also, but those
weren’t the noises of anything canine.
Most likely Bear was wandering just out of
sight, but quite aware of our presence.

Raindrops hit the parched land, kicking up dust
and the moisture is creating new colors on the
stones. The wind shifts and that “chuffing” sound
is closer. Crow has stopped chatting. Hummingbird
has ceased her song. The temperature rises again
the sound of Bear is clear. No where in sight.
Keep going down the hill, keep your ears open.

Glad to be home safe and sound.
I love what happens out of doors.
It was a lovely walk about.

• Favorite
• Report Concern
• Share This
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Add your comment

You need to login or signup to add your comment to this work.