I never saw a discontented tree. They grip the ground as though they liked it, and though fast rooted they travel about as far as we do. They go wandering forth in all directions with every wind, going and coming like ourselves, traveling with us around the sun two million miles a day, and through space heaven knows how fast and far! ~John Muir
When I was in my first year of college at the local community college, I remember having a conversation with a friend who was home for I think it was spring break. She was telling me how much she loved being at the school she was at. I remember asking her where she went- I was at a point where I knew I should at least start entertaining the idea of where I'd complete my B.A. When she told me "Chico State", my first thought was- "what a weird name". Then I asked her why she loved it so much. "The trees, there are so many trees there and it is just so beautiful."
Later that year I happened upon an opportunity to go to Chico with a friend. I think it was that first trip that sealed the deal for me. After an hour long flight and another hour and a half of driving we exited the freeway and drove down the prettiest street I had ever seen. In the years that followed, no matter what part of Chico I lived in, no matter what exit made logical sense in order to get home, I always, always got off that same exit as my first trip.
In so many ways college is a new world and those trees, those trees made my new world such a great place to be. I don't think I ever knew how much I loved trees until university. I understood my friend completely when she had answered my question of Why Chico? Those beautiful trees.
When I eventually graduated and had to leave my new world behind, the first thing I did was a take trip to New Zealand. One of my favorite experiences there was visiting a Kauri forest. It was there that I actually hugged my first tree. Don't laugh if you've never done it. Trees do have a power to them, and those Kauri tress are amazingly powerful.
Once back home, I took a trip out to Philadelphia to visit Ben in medical school. One proposal and several months later I was living there. Our apartment was just next to Pennypack Park. It was not so much a park as a trail along side a river, lined with trees. I walked, ran and explored that park often. I loved taking the dogs down for a walk. I loved knowing I was in this huge, historic city, yet I was surrounded my huge trees and all the wildlife that lives in their midst. I also loved autumn there. Going to my Aunt's house in North Eastern PA was such a beautiful drive any time of the year. In the fall though, holy cow. There is one section where you drive through a tunnel, and as you exit that tunnel all you can see in front of you is hills and hills filled with tress. The beautiful shades of reds, yellows and oranges takes your breath away.
Tonight, as I waited for one of the dogs to finish up her meal in the garage I went out in the backyard. The house was dark and quiet, kids and husband asleep. I looked out at the hazy palm trees on the next block. The sky overcast and starless. As I breathed in the fresh, salty, cool air I could hear the ocean breeze begin to tickle the towering eucalyptus trees in my neighbors yard. It sounded like rain drops hitting the pavement. As the sound slowly intensified, the wind chime hanging next to me gently made its song. My arms, chilled though they felt, tingled with the feeling of being alive.