Season’s greetings from the forest!

Where I was on Christmas day
I hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season no matter what you believe in or celebrate or not believe in (and yes, I still consider this time before New Year’s but after Christmas, the holiday season).
Whether you’re surrounded by family or embracing solitude, whether you’re out of town or enjoying plenty of parking where you live because everyone else is out of town (holidays = actual parking in SF).
Whether you’re off work or working hard.
Whether you’re participating in years long traditions or creating new ones.
For me, it’s a mix of a little of everything.
I don’t celebrate Christmas, never have really, but I had the most splendid Christmas day in the forest. It was a day off work in the midst of my workweek. And I didn’t have to travel far to enjoy a self-care day. I was alone, but not feeling lonely for the first time in several weeks.
Typically, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas tend to be a bit rough for me, it’s really my least favorite time of year, and this year was no exception due to several reasons which I won’t get into now. All that matters is that come Solstice (a week ago Sunday), at the pinnacle of literal darkness, I wanted so badly to welcome the light back.
Honor the darkness and welcome the light, so I read somewhere on the very eve of Solstice and this has been my theme ever since.
Back to Christmas day itself, I started off with a big home-made brunch: scrambled eggs, toast with pepperjack cheese, and bread with hagelslaag (a Dutch treat of chocolate sprinkles! yes, I put chocolate sprinkles on my bread and love it! Don’t judge.). And of course, my morning chai.
Then it’s off to Marin… blasting the iPod with my favorites from Michael Franti, Brandi Carlile, and Ani DiFranco, I make my way from urban to suburban to forest and arrive to a pretty full trailhead parking situation. Luckily I snag a spot that doesn’t scare me with images of my car stuck in a massive mud puddle.
I’m not the only one with the brilliant idea to head into the woods on Christmas.
My destination: Cataract Falls trail. This trail heads steadily up following the creek and its series of spectacular waterfalls. The area is even more lush after our recent storms.
My upward progress is slow (I had just been on a 2 week exercise hiatus following my eye surgery as a precaution, per doctor’s orders). But I don’t beat myself up for not being in better shape today. I’m gentle with myself and I stop plenty of times to take pictures and let other folks by. Working my quads up those steps and just moving my body in general felt oh so good.

SO. MANY. STEPS
I disappear into the moment as I focus on the trail ahead and my picture taking. I may or may not have spent 20 minutes just trying to perfectly capture some mushrooms on a log.

Still not perfect. Oh well.
Many “hello’s” and “happy holidays” are exchanged all the way to the top as everyone seems to be in bright spirits. I see couples and big families and old hippies alike soaking up their experience and embracing the incoming sunlight through the forest canopy.

The sunlight beaming down through the forest was incredible. This photo does not do it justice.
On my way up, I stop by my favorite spot off trail and find myself blissfully alone while the rest of the trail is somewhat crowded. All I hear is rushing water and the crunch of my sesame sticks as I devour my favorite trail snack.

my spot
Such a beautiful post, Sam! I love that you went hiking on Christmas Day and had such an invigorating, renewing experience. Omg I want to see that film!! I actually really want to go to Antarctica but it is so expensive. One day!!! Much love, happy holidays, happy new year and happy birthday… to us!! xxx
Thanks Sarah! I had fun putting this post together with pictures and all. Yeah, I am such a wimp with the cold. It’s barely dipping into the 30’s at night here this week and that’s nearly too cold for me! I’m spoiled by the Bay area weather for sure. Yes, happy new year and happy birthday to us!
Sam: Another wonderful blog. I am so impressed with you. Love, Oma