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| Mt. Shasta in June, 2012 |
On the way from Pasadena to friends in Corvallis, Oregon, you pass by one of earth’s most spectacular places—Mt. Shasta. I tried to climb it in June of 2012 and got as far as that horizontal strip of exposed rock you see high in the slope, most of the way to the summit, called the Red Banks. I turned back because of weather and an error in planning.
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| Mt. Shasta on January 4, 2019 |
On a wintry northward drive, an overcast sky opened in a seemingly miraculously act, presenting just for me a fine view of this inspiring peak, raising the memory of having tried to reach its top. Now six years later that attempt seems, not failure, but a step in progression toward something better. I did the best I could given an imperfect mind and body.
Into the woods just outside Corvallis, we feel deep in the Amazon, surrounded and covered over by trees, moss and hanging epiphytes. A few sprinkles, but mostly typical winter overcast and high humidity, with temperatures around forty. Some people find days like this depressing and bad for their respiratory conditions, but it seemed to me just fine. And when the sun pops out, the beauty is truly inspiring.
Michael Angerman and me in the deep woods, just ten miles from his home, after a fine drive on a country road. Admiring the seemingly dead oak trees, we know they are alive because of brown leaves under our feet, leaves that died to become the tree’s food to grow more leaves—the trees’ full acceptance of life and death—example of how to live.
Have you ever seen the forest on a tree? These oaks provide housing for thousands of friendly renters. Epiphytes don’t sap energy from the tree; they just hang there in harmony with their host, as I hang on the Angerman tree for awhile before heading farther north.
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| Peter Day and Michael Angerman |
Michael and Peter have been friends for many years, and with Michele and I present in their home, it was a congenial and reflective evening, a fine little party.
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| Michael and Michele at the Willamette River |
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| Sharon and Michael at the Willamette River |
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Michael Angerman is keeping a map showing all the places where I spend the night on this long drive. Please visit his map at: Michael's Map You can pan zoom to see more detail or more area as you choose.
So nice to visit with you tonight, Sharon. I love that your blog is sprinkled with people.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I'm wandering in a Land of Historical Foundings and I appreciate the level of Adventure that you explore.
How Vivid are the colors in your photos and how expressive those scenes must be in person. The lone picture of you with all those leaves around you there was such an array of color, including purple. Was that an accurate depiction of the colors?
Junnie, Nice seeing you here in what they call a typical winter day in Corvallis, Oregon.
DeleteColors are muted under a dark and sometimes rainy sky. My camera doesn't record them as I remember them later in a warm place, with coffee and photoshop. I sometimes give them a tweak to match what I remember. If I overdo it sometimes it stems from that ancient gap between observed reality and memory of that reality. In this case, the brightness of Michael's company may have brightened some of these pictures.
Hi Sharon. I love the photos of Mt. Shasta, which is the first mountain I saw when I came to the U.S. for the first time. It was mesmerizing experience. I also love the enchanted forest!
ReplyDeleteI love them too, Keiko. The extreme differences in wilderness terrain. A lesson in diversity.
DeleteSharon love this post with inner views of your experience on Shasta and enchanted forest. I would like to add some photos and text to Poets Salon..on TREE of Life I am making..used to cal Poetry Corner will credit your words and add blog link. You can send poem s of you want...today or early morn...but i love the tree photos including moss...
ReplyDeleteShasta jewel
meets the enchanted forest
sunny breakthrough
Kathabela, I am happy to have you use these pictures and words.
DeleteI like your poetic contrast between the high mountain jewel and the enchanted forest.
Dear Sharon
ReplyDeletea mountain, a forest, a river so far. And dear friends of course. Any birds? I am missing a touch of winged creatures.
Soon?
Toti, I miss birds too, have neither seen nor heard them, save for a flock of chickens in a pen and a hawk overhead considering lunch. I'll keep you posted.
ReplyDeleteSharon, it is good to hear that you have Photoshop as your companion. Thanks for giving us Vivid color and the brightness of the company you're keeping.
ReplyDeleteI try only to replicate the way is was, and the company I was keeping have vivid colors.
DeleteYou caught me smiling!
Delete:)
DeleteDear Sharon and Friends here is the Poets Salon Tree if Life featuring some of Sharon's poems, prose and one beautiful photo of hers! We are all together on this tree of life, and all together on her trip
ReplyDeletehttps://coloradoboulevard.net/poets-salon-the-tree-of-life/
It's a good posting on Colorado Boulevard. Thanks for including me.
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