I ended the year with a hike in a new place with my friend Heather. The drive to our meeting spot at Pt Reyes Station was beautiful, seeing the sunrise and fog in the hills, oh I just love it! We met and headed to the Estero Trail. The drive there is just gorgeous, and the hike was absolutely fantastic. We had beautiful weather, the lack of sounds of the modern world was wonderful – we heard coyotes and cows and birds and frogs and ducks. It was glorious! We found a beautiful lone eucalyptus tree. The water was so calm it was an almost pure reflection of the sky and surrounding hills.
I stopped in at the Pt Reyes Station library afterwards, and was thrilled to see a sign in front of a rack of books in the Young Adult section that encouraged kids to take the books, and indicated that they did not need to use their library card to check them out – many of the book were on topics that may have been ones they could’ve been uncomfortable talking to their parents about. I love this idea! I also liked the free hygiene kits they had available in the bathroom and the seed library.
Later in the day I spent time reflecting on 2024, reviewing my memories of the year and coming up with my 10 best days – most of which involved being outdoors and hiking with friends and spending time with family. I made a delicious dinner of sautéed shrimp with couscous and salad. I need to make more meals like that!
November 2024 memories – going to live Rocky Horror Picture Show with Chrissy and Annemarie. Celebrating Annemarie and Cameron’s birthdays, promotora celebration – sweeping out troubles, lots of beautiful sunrises, going to the board training program. Taking Javi to Muir Beach, the absolutely stunning fall tree colors everywhere, celebrating mom’s 89th birthday, seeing a gorgeous sunrise and rainbow near Emmy’s house. Local hikes, house and cat sitting in Windsor, Thanksgiving at the George’s, tree cutting with most of the family.
Today’s omen was recognizing the beauty of silence, being away from the sounds of the modern world and hearing only nature – the wind, frogs, coyotes, birds, the ocean. For next year I need to remember to take time for silence every day.