Deer in Rocky Mountain National Park, 2009
Running has become a bigger part of my life than I would have ever imagined. It no longer feels like exercise, but rather one big long meditation, especially since I’ve now changed my route (and doubled my distance) to the river levy trail where I’m surrounded mostly by nature. I’ve logged 23 miles out there this week.. not that it’s about the distance, but it feels good to know that I can go that far, and even farther if I’d allow myself the time.
This morning’s run was extra special.. and the experience could never really be put into words without sounding like a total fruit basket (not that I don’t already), but when I got out there a sudden breeze came up, which I always find meaning in, mumbled a few words in the direction of the sky about the kind of energy & experience that I was looking for this morning, and went about my way. About two miles down the road, two deer emerged from the corn field to the north about 20 yards ahead and stood on the trail, looking toward me. I slowed down and stared back until they ran off into the woods. Then a buck came from the same spot and stood on the trail momentarily looking my direction, then galloped (do deer gallop?) a bit in my direction before taking off into the woods. I smiled happily at it all.. About a quarter mile further, I looked up to see the silhouette of a red-tailed hawk circling in front of the sun. I decided to stop and watch for a minute. It ended up right above me and we watched each other for a minute before it disappeared behind the trees.
It gets better.. my stopping point is this great big tree that I like to stop and relish in it’s shade. When I lived in Brooklyn, there was a huge tree in Prospect Park that I’d go sit by often. They’re kind of like big, comforting grandfathers. Anyway, I stopped at the tree, and above it was another red-tailed hawk. So, I watched it flying around and talked to it a bit (in my head, it could hear me), did a nice big stretch toward then sun, and embraced another rush of breeze. Then I looked to my right, and about 10 yards away on the trail stood a doe and her fawn staring at me. I crouched down quietly and we studied each other for about a minute before they took off into the woods. I laughed again and made my amazement very vocal (there were no human souls in sight, thankfully), and went on my way back.. Then I saw some gigantic toadstools and passed a very furry caterpillar racing down the trail. I dunno, but these are the kinds of things that make my day. And these same things that will eventually make their way into my artwork. Til next time..