It was rainy and cold, 3 humans and 2 dogs cooped up indoors all voted to drive up north to our favorite place "Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve".
Only a couple of days since the "shelter in place" was put into effect, we were eager to find some safe outdoor time and space. A vast enough place where we can provide safe distance to other people without feeling tense when walking past each other.
Armstrong Redwoods SNR is located in the city of Guernreville, CA. We intentionally took a long scenic drive from 101 North to Lucas Valley Road, through Point Reyes to Bodega Bay, finally to Guerneville. We arrived in the town of Guerneville only to find closed stores and restaurants. We drove straight into the Redwoods.
I had such an amazing sensorial experience during this visit. My daughter who has visited this redwoods many times in the past enjoyed this particular trip also. The sound of soft rain amongst the forest, distant whisper from other park visitors, rhythm of the jingle of our dogs' metal tags all entertained her. Catching cold raindrops falling from the leaves of one of the tallest trees in the world rejoiced her. The vivid green of moss on the rocks and trees soothed our eyes. The smell of cold air scented with wet soil and leaves stimulated our nose.
In the country I grew up, we call it "Shinrin-yoku" It means forest bathing and it creates calming effects on our nervous system. It's healing, calming and invigorating. My mind kept going back to my childhood when I walked through bamboo forests and feeling that everything is just wonderful.
At the end of our trip, we felt very grounded.
