antelope freeway, one thirtysecondth mile

[zyzyly]

I woke up early to the sounds of another bombing, and got up to see what the internet had to say. One of my friends was up early too, and we chatted for a while. While we were talking, I had some sort of a spiritual insight about something that had been troubling me, and so went back to bed to ponder it.

I got up again about 11 am, and headed to mass at the little franciscan church, where I was able to spend some time reflecting on why I am here (in a good way). I spent a few minutes after the mass talking with the friar, an older filipino priest who recently came to the parish from san francisco. He told me that he did not enter the franciscan order until he was in his 40s. Like most franciscans I have met, he is simple, humble and full of joy.

I came home after mass with no clear idea of what I wanted to do with the rest of the day. I got back on the internet, but it kept kicking me off. I took that as a sign that I needed to get out of the house, so I tossed my camera, a peach, and a couple of bottles of water in the car and took off.

I ended up at point reyes, which I often speak of as my spiritual home. I suppose it is the perfect destination for the kind of spiritually-oriented day I was having. It was a beautiful afternoon--about 70 degrees with a slight breeze. I got out and decided on a trail I hadn't hiked in a very long time--the mount wittenberg/sky trail, which is mostly uphill.

The last time I hiked this trail was when I was 17. My friends and I spent a week backpacking along the point reyes trails during summer break, in preparation for a longer trip in the yosemite high country. When I reached the peak, I thought a little about that trip. I remember hiking along the trail, wishing I could spend my life as a wanderer.

As I sat up on the hill, watching the clouds go by, I thought a little about the possibility that I might one day become a franciscan. Then I thought about a girl I used to know a long time ago, and wondered where she was now. I had a crush on her, but didn't have the emotional equipment do do anything about it at the time. Then I saw a bunny and that kept my interest for a while. I stayed up there until the fog started coming in, and then headed back down. I took the below picture on my way down.

The picture is of Black Mountain. It was one of my grandfather's favorite places--it was his mountain--his spiritual home. He used to spend hours riding his horse up there.

I thought about him, and how, 20 years ago, when I thought my life was over, he brought me to this very place and shared his love of life with me. He took me to all his favorite places, and instilled in me not only a love of this place, but a reason to keep going on. I am grateful, and remember.

As evening fell, I drove into point reyes station and had dinner at the station house cafe. They had a delicious carrot curry soup. After eating I headed home. I took lucas valley road, which is the kind of drive I was thinking of when I bought this car--lots of twists and turns, but beautiful to behold.

a very satisfactory day.

Comments

[pasticcio.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you had a good day - you deserve it :)

[myasma.livejournal.com]

why thank you for that thought. I will pass through your town in three weeks or so. I hope we can meet!

[pasticcio.livejournal.com]

As long as it's not the weekend of the 30th... I'll be in Calgary visiting my sister then. I look forward to messing up your hair! :)

[myasma.livejournal.com]

my hair may well be too short to mess up by then, but you can admire my earring!

[pasticcio.livejournal.com]

You rebel.
In your ear, I hope?

[myasma.livejournal.com]

maybe...

[pasticcio.livejournal.com]

And people say that *I* am a tease...

[her-whispers.livejournal.com]

that is a beautiful photo.

i find peace on those very same backroads, in those very same areas, all over the backroads of marin. there is something about those places, something about the air. it's so very peaceful, soothing, and healing. the whole of west marin breathes quietly, the rolling hills whispering of serenity.

thank you for this. the photos and the words.

M.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

you're welcome.

It is such a lovely place, and so many little secrets.

did you finish reading Life of Pi?

[pinkroo.livejournal.com]

it sounds like a totally wonderful day~
and you wrote a lot! Maybe the day turned your brain off a bit (in a good way).

[myasma.livejournal.com]

I wrote even more in my paper journal--pages and pages--as I sat on the hill enjoying the day.

[pinkroo.livejournal.com]

have you ever read anything by Matthew Kelty? He was a Trappist monk--Flute Solo was such a good read, I keep recommending it to ppl.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

I never have--I'll put it on my reading list.

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

lovely picture. thanks for the Day
Trip, Mike!~paul

[zhenzhi.livejournal.com]

what a place! i can see why you would want to go there. :-) beautiful story about your grandfather.

[daisydumont.livejournal.com]

the photo is beautiful. i'm glad you found it peaceful and restorative to be up there. (now i'm thinking about carrot curry soup...)

[myasma.livejournal.com]

I wasn't really sure what I was getting. The server was Polish, and she could not pronounce it, but assured me it was tasty, and it was.

[blistermoth.livejournal.com]

what a wonderful day!

[wantedonvoyage.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you had a wonderful day; I could use one of those. I can't get enough of your photos.

I have the chance to get a discount on a camera and am thinking of upgrading. If I presented you with some choices would you give me a recommendation?

[myasma.livejournal.com]

I could try, but I'm not a camera expert. If you can get a Canon--they seem to be good.

[chained2u2.livejournal.com]

OOh Point Reyes. It has been years since I was there. Your day sounds like it was very nice and enlightening. Just the kind of musing you need these days.

Typolice

[felixbunay.livejournal.com]

Not to look past the spiritual renewal and all that...but the internet kept doing what?

Re: Typolice

[myasma.livejournal.com]

oh crap!

[niyabinghi.livejournal.com]

So glad you had such a restorative day, and what a beautiful story about your grandfather taking you there before.
I love Point Reyes, haven't been there in years.

[badsede.livejournal.com]

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<i.I thought a little about the possibility that I might one day become a franciscan. Then I thought about a girl I used to know a long time ago, and wondered where she was now. I had a crush on her, but didn't have the emotional equipment do do anything about it at the time. Then I saw a bunny and that kept my interest for a while.</i>

I an so relate to this statement.

[filmsacramento.livejournal.com]

Beautiful picture. Beautiful entry.

[creactivity.livejournal.com]

Those franciscan monks have it going on. I felt it tangibly when I was there - Asissi is one of the most peaceful places on earth.

[stupid-freshman.livejournal.com]

wow, very scenic!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_sara/]

simple, humble, and full of joy

I want to be that.

[saintgeorge.livejournal.com]

Tell me again why you want to be a monk.

You were a Lutheran but you became a Roman Catholic because_________.
You were a member of the laity but you became a deacon because_________.
You are a civilian but you want to put on the habit of the Franciscans because_________.
You are unhappy with your present direction in life because_________.
You are seeking God because_________.

[saintgeorge.livejournal.com]

You are free to tell me to back off, if my enquiries are too personal. I will remain your friend and I hope you will do the same.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

Oh not at all--I'm just not sure I know the answers!

[ex-muzer409.livejournal.com]

And an extremely satisfying description of it.