~John Muir

A fortunate few have been witness to the park’s amazing natural “firefall.” Horsetail Falls, aka El Capitan Falls, drops 1500 feet off incredible El Capitan. For about ten days at the end of each February, if conditions are right, orange sunsets are reflected in the fall each evening, which makes the cascading water look like it’s on fire. 

During the winter in Yosemite, coming off of El Capitan, there is an almost non-existent waterfall called “Horsetail Falls.” Many maps don’t even have it marked because it’s a seasonal waterfall and only flows during the peak of the snow and ice melt between December and February.  During the last two weeks in February, IF there is snow and ice still melting from the top of the mountain, and IF it is clear at sunset (which doesn’t happen too often due to the winter storms) the setting sun will turn this waterfall into a stream of molten fire. In order for the waterfall to look like molten lava, the sun’s position must be exactly at a particular spot in the sky. This occurs only in the month of February and at the short hours of dusk.

The fruit looks somewhat like a yellow human hand, with way too many fingers. It looks like it would be more likely to eat your head than be eaten. Unable to resist, I pulled out my iPhone and snapped a few pictures. Soon, a small crowd was gathered as we excitedly picked up the fruit, scratched its surface, and indulged in the powerfully aromatic aroma. 

The produce manager walked over and quickly began telling the history behind this beautiful exotic fruit. We learned the fruit is called a Buddha’s Hand Citron, and is a member of the citrus family. It smells strongly of lemon, but there is no juicy pulp hidden inside. Instead, it is used for its powerful zest to flavor certain lemon liqueurs and specialty vodkas such as Hangar One’s Buddha’s Hand Citron Vodka. In addition, Chinese and Japanese households hang it in their homes for good luck, happiness, wealth, and longevity,  and as a natural air freshener. 

This goes to show that you never know where you will discover unexpected delights! Something as simple as a routine trip to the grocery store could become a grand opportunity of flavor, fun, and new adventures. Happiness really is in the moment!

Last Child in the Woods
In his book, Louv states that back in our childhood, our days were filled with afternoons roaming through the woods, climbing trees, and playing in parks. But for today’s generation of kids, that is not always the case. He argues that children in America have largely lost their connection to nature and wilderness. This lack of direct exposure to nature is linked to children’s obesity, attention deficit disorders, and depression.

Louv’s book is about the importance of getting our children back out into nature, yet this message is equally important to adults as well. All too often adults are insulated from the natural environment. We go from our homes to our cars to our enclosed office environments. Getting outside is important to our physical well-being, stress reduction, and greater creativity. 

Broader Perspective of Life
I loved the futurist message that Richard Louv sends as he passionately explains that nature gives us a broader perspective of life. By walking through the woods, watching the stars at night, playing in the leaves, or digging in the dirt we understand that we are part of something larger. Nature sparks curiosity within us about how life works, who we are in the scheme of life, and how science works. When we go outside in all sorts of weather we feel the seasons, awaken our senses, and feel more alive.

With the stress of our changing economic climate, recent unsettling news events, and pressing financial concerns, it’s more important than ever to get ourselves outside. Nature touches our spirit and reminds us of something larger and more important than our immediate problems. Instead of being so intensely focused on recent headlines, we can lift ourselves into a larger perspective and make decisions that positively impact our future. Nature brings us out of fear and back into the wholeness and goodness of life.

When we connect with nature we realize that we are made from the elements of earth, it is not something separate from us. As such, it is our personal responsibility to discover how to participate with life in a joyful, satisfying way. When we know where our food comes from, how it grows, then our eating patterns change…not out of guilt but born out of new relationship with the plants and animals. Our connection with the biological world expands outward as we awaken an inner desire and new creative solutions to move beyond reliance on non-renewable resources of oil and non-fuel minerals.  

Importance of Getting Outside Today
Getting outside in nature can have a profound effect on both our psyche and our health. It’s important to make time in our busy week to be out in nature, alone wandering through the woods, walking through the park, sitting by a creek, or smelling the wind. Sometimes we need to feel the earth under our feet, to bury our toes in the grass, or walk in the woods and feel the sacred energy of very old large trees. Today, go outside and notice a bird, a butterfly, or the rustle of the wind through the leaves. Reawaken your own quiet fascination with life.

What role does nature play in your  life? How are you affected by nature? Do you find comfort in it? Share your experiences and let us know how nature has led to a transcendent experience in your life!

 Richard Louv is an author and journalist focused on nature, family and community. His most recent book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, has stimulated an international conversation about the future relationship between children and nature, and has helped spawn a movement that is now moving into the international sphere

Henry David Thoreau wrote, “I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.” Instinctively, we know in our soul that being in nature is good for us. Exposure to trees, water, fresh air, sunshine, and natures sights and sounds all serve to ease our aches and pains. Nature heals our tired minds in part because it is quietly fascinating. 

Connection to nature has its own way of healing you. It doesn’t matter how stressed or depressed we are, a short time tramping across the hills, in sunshine or rain, focusing on nothing more complex than where to put your next footstep, is guaranteed to purge at least some of those heavy energies. 

For no reason, sit beneath an old tree, watch the flight of a bird, feel the breeze as it blows through the nearby flowers, and gaze into the eternal flowing of a stream. Watch some ants crawling by. Turn over a log and see the roly poly creatures living there. There’s nothing you are supposed to be looking at or thinking about while you are outside. You can just walk or sit there with no real purpose.  

Leave the shelter of your home’s four walls and reestablish contact with the Earth. Even on a frigid winter night or during a lonely grey rainy morning, wrap up and venture into the outdoors. Sit by the creek and cry your lonely tears. Visit with the tree spirits, father sun, and mother earth. Let the wind blow its magical breath as you inhale and take it all in. Say hello to the stars, the moon, and the night creatures. 

Nature is fundamentally linked to our human spirituality. Native American Indians held an expression that “All truth can be found in nature.” When we view the changes of the daybreak and dusk, the sun, moon and stars in the sky, when we witness the changing of the seasons we realize that there is something more powerful to life. Nature prompts us to reflect on the ever-changing experiences of existence and what might lie beyond it.