Fifty Shades of green

     I am twice blessed. I live in sunny California and I live just steps from the Los Gatos Creek Trail.  When I first moved into my townhouse I would walk on the trail every day, rain or shine. Now, ten years and a broken kneecap later, I try to get a walk in, at least two or three times a week.
    My walks have become more contemplative than athletic but I'm always surprised at how different each walk is. I never tire of the scenery; it changes with the seasons, (yes we have seasons here in Northern California), with the time of day, and, depending on which direction I go, with the number and variety of wildlife.
    If I go to my left on the trail it will first take me high above the creek where I can watch Mallards whizzing along through little rapids like they’re whitewater rafting on a class IV river. Before long, I come to what I call “The Meadow.” It’s a sunny, flat area along the creek, surrounded by shady oaks. Not a bad place for a picnic, I think.

The Meadow

Then I hear the distant roar of water spilling over the Vasona Lake dam. From the trail I can see and feel the power of all that water crashing into the quiet pool below it. Once I saw a Red Breasted Merganser perched on a log there, serenely preening his colorful feathers.

Vasona Dam

Pool below the dam

 Now comes the a steep climb to the top of the dam where the scene opens out to include the entire Vasona Lake and the Los Gatos hills beyond. If I go around the lake I will come to Vasona Park where every spring Great Blue Herons make their nests in the rookery, high in the tops of the Eucalyptus trees. At noon you can hear the hungry hatchlings calling, YAK YAK YAK for their lunch. Then it’s time to head back home.

Vasona Lake

From my house, if I turn to my right on the trail, I head toward the city of  Campbell. The first thing I notice is a sharp, somewhat medicinal scent; then I see a small but beautiful grove of rough-barked Eucalyptus trees. That lovely scent reminds me of my youth when my grandmother took me to concerts in the Sigmund Stern Grove in San Franicisco.

Eucalyptus grove

Years ago when I first started plying the trail it was winter and I was amazed at the number and variety of migrating waterfowl that took refuge in the creek and the percolation ponds along the way. Unfortunately, due to the drought, the percolation ponds are now all dry.

Merganser

I miss seeing the Mergansers, the Goldeneyes, the Wigeons, Gadwalls and my favorites, the shy, but gorgeous, Wood Ducks. I long for the day the rains return and fill the ponds again. In the meantime there is still plenty to see. Three huge office buildings are being built along Winchester Blvd. and I can watch the construction from the trail which borders their future parking lot. I hear the beep, beep, beep of the heavy machinery backing up and distant sound of a construction worker’s radio playing. Further on as the trail ascends I look back and see how the buildings are blocking the view of the hills.

It's blocking my view of the hills!

    On I go through a tunnel of tall trees and newly sprouted Oxalis along the trail.

    There are still Canada Geese wandering around looking for mates and the ubiquitous Mud Hens never seem to leave the area. From the bridge that crosses the creek I can look down on a turtle treading water and soaking up some sun. I haven’t read Fifty Shades of Gray or seen the movie, nor do I have any desire to, but the title inspired me to take a series of photos on my Creek Trail walk today because all along the way Spring is making itself known in buds, blossoms and fifty shades of green. One doesn’t have to have a creek trail or specific place to walk, although it’s great if you do. No, even walking around your neighborhood can give you a new perspective.
  
The only recipe I have today is for Peace of Mind.

First set your attitude to “Grateful”

You will need:
Some sunscreen, if the sun is out
A small amount of free time
One pair comfortable shoes
One open mind

1. Open your front door.
2. Put one foot in front of the other.
3. Now walk in any direction for any amount of time.
4. Look around you. Look up. Look down.
5. Listen to the birds and other sounds.
6. Feel the sunshine or the rain on your skin.
7. Smell the air; good or bad.
8. Be grateful for what you can see, hear, feel.