My buddy and I often have discussions on hiking here in
Canada, where I was born and hiking in Scotland where he was born. He loves the
openness of the hills and I jokingly tell him that it is better hiking here in
the trees because you can’t see what’s around the corner or the view until you
come out of the forest. Then you have these wonderful moments of awe, whereas
in Scotland you can see where you are going and have a view the whole way to
the summit, there is no mystery. The teasing though is all in good fun, both are beautiful places filled with mystery.
This past week we all travelled down to Lincoln City on the Oregon coast to
explore the wonderful beaches and get some much needed respite from life. I
loved the long vast open beach and the sound of the waves as they crash onto
the shore.
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| The view of the beach upon our arrival |
Our first morning out we walked/ran down the beach and back again
for a total of 16kms. We didn’t quite
make it to the end though so drove back down later that evening when the tide
was out.
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| Heading down the beach |
I love the soft beach sand, the
cliffs and the huge stones that protrude along the shoreline. The yellow sandstone of the cliffs was so colourful and beautiful with it's different layers.
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| The colourful layers of sandstone |
As we reached
what was almost the end, there was a large but shallow cave and my adventurous
spirit was tweaked. I couldn’t wait to
see what was around the corner and quickly ran to see what lay ahead.
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| Approaching what could be the end of the beach |
My mouth
opened in awe as there, around the corner were these beautiful free standing
large rocks poking out of the sand. They were very huge and standing next to
them we felt quite small.
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| Amazing! |
A couple of them had openings and one had a tiny
tunnel all the way through. It was
magical and I was so thrilled that we had come back to reach this place. My
heart always fills with joy and thankfulness when I come across these places in
nature that not only surprise me but have mystery in their creation.
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| The beginning of a tiny tunnel |
We explored the area, checking out the sea life that clung
to the rocks and went as far as we could as the tide was coming in.
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| Purple starfish, my childhood favourite |
No worries
though, we could return tomorrow when the tide would be lower to see what was
around the next corner and return we did.
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| Colourful sea life |
First thing in the morning we headed back and this time we
were able to go around even another corner. There were more stones and two
wonderful caves.
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| Perfect place for a game of hide and seek! |
One of them was very long and deep and it was fun to walk into the darkness not knowing how far away the end of the cave was. The light shining in from the opening didn’t reach way into the
back but it did give us light to return by. As in life it is the "light" that brings us warmth and shows us the way.
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| Light to show us the way to return |
As I explored the coast line, running from rock to rock, I couldn’t help
but be thankful for all that life brings. Life is a lot like the trails and
beaches. We never know what will be around the next corner; we don’t know what
tomorrow will bring. Life is a huge mystery and it is in the mystery that we can
experience magical moments, find magical places in creation and be thankful for
all that is.
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| Magical places |
We had two glorious days on the beach exploring it in every direction and continuing to be in awe over it's wonders. On our return trip home, we stopped at Hug Point and once again I
was filled with an inner joy and peacefulness as we explored the beach. It
actually was suppose to be a very quick stop to just look at the beach and to
share in a group hug.
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| Ah more wonderful caves! |
However, once I saw the beach, the caves and the waterfall I had to go and just see what was
actually around the corner. Where did that wonderful flow of water come from?
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| Beautiful waterfall |
I have always had a great sense of curiousity and yes at times it has gotten me into a bit of trouble but when out exploring curiousity can be a wonderful thing. I climbed up and was so thankful that I did for it was a fairty tale place of wonder.
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| An oasis of beauty and peacefulness |
More exploring was required so around the corner I had to go. My eyes opened wide and I smiled with joy. Around
the corner were more huge rocks, a circular cave and beautiful sandstone cliffs
and they all needed exploring.
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| Amazing works of art in creation |
As we reached the end there was a wonderful
pathway in the stone around the cliff. One would have thought that it had been
purposefully built. I ran up and around the next corner. Sadly I had to stop as
the tide was coming in and our time was running out. I knew if I continued I would never be able to stop myself and we did need to return home that day.
I must admit that I often wish I knew the future and what tomorrow would bring. It would make life so much easier but I also know it would be very boring. The adventure of life is in the mystery of what is around that next corner. We just have to be curious enough to go and check it out.
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| On the "road" |
There are so many pathways in life.
