Small Town, Big Elevation, I
I'd made two New Year's resolutions at the beginning of this year. I didn't go for the usual "eat healthier" or "lose weight." I chose resolutions that enhance how I move through the world and experience it. The first was to allow myself to take up space, to be seen. The second was to become more of an active participant in my own life through new experiences. I'm slowly but surely checking off my bucket list items.
Cue... Big Bear.
If you can't tell already, I love trees. I'd always heard about Big Bear, but never went in my sixteen years of living in Southern California. It was a done deal: cottage booked, time-off request approved, and off I went.
I'm not sure about you, but I have fun winding around mountain roads. The scenery, the smell of the trees, how the air just feels cleaner, and occasionally stopping at viewpoints or pullouts to briefly take in the expansive views. There's something about intentionally pausing and just existing.
My trip was during the last full week of July. I pulled into the property where I'd booked my cottage and was surrounded by friends: Jeffrey pines. Sleepy Forest Cottages were peaceful, serene, and within close proximity to lots of activities—especially trails. I mean, the jetted tub inside the cottage was a perk too!
Since I was adjusting to the elevation, I eased into the trails with something easier.
It's golden hour, and I'm instantly greeted by Jeffrey pines and Sierra junipers. The juniper trees welcomed me with their skeletal branches bathed in warm golden light. Making my way through the Interpretive Trail, I began to notice nature herself winking at me: sun-bleached, swirling wood that looks like a swan leading the way; twisted, gnarled roots gesturing for me to move forward, to notice the smaller details waiting.
I found the feathery, curled seed tails of mountain mahogany, faces within an extreme close-up of Jeffrey pine bark, and even a resting guardian lying in wait to greet me.
As I began to complete my gentle journey, blue hour started to take hold of the sky and path. I paused near the viewpoint and witnessed a sky that looked as though it had been painted in watercolor, soft pinks and oranges descending over the mountains.
Step, step, step... don't trip on that rock!
One final pause before I finished: the full moon, peeking just over the mountains, hiding within the trees. Its warm light filtered through the dark night sky and silhouettes.
Hello, moon. Thank you for watching over me in those final moments... and providing enough light that I didn't trip over the rocks!
I made it back to my car and headed to the cottage, ready for the remaining adventures in Big Bear. To be continued. Until then, may you always find something worth noticing.
~Elizabeth
