We went out for a couple of drives this past weekend. It was so nice not have anything on the schedule. I’ve been working overtime the past few weeks on both the book and our renewal of vows. And now, a little peace.
I am never quite as happy as I am when I’m out in the woods, whether it be a city park or the actual forest. When I’m surrounded by trees or near the water, I feel a peace that I seldom feel otherwise.
So I thought I’d show you a few pictures that I took over the past few days and even a few from a couple years ago. This is the land I write about. The ravines that permeate my books? They’re everywhere, a product of the massive glaciers that once drove, grinding through the land, as well as the earthquake fault systems we’re on here.
As I said in Friday’s post, the land here is vibrant and alive in a way few places seem to me. Here, the earth spirits hear you. They listen, and watch and bide their time. Here, the Wild Hunt is alive and very much part of the area. The elk and deer thrive, as do bears, cougars, coyotes, and other wildlife.
This is the land that inspires my work, these are the trees and waters that find their way into the pages of my stories. My settings are practically characters in themselves, because here, our forests and ocean and rivers are all haunting—and quite often, haunted.
What can I say? I’m an animist I believe that there is a spirit within every single thing in this world — even that which is man-made has a certain spirit to it. But the forests and the lakes, they speak to me most. And even within our cities here on the western coast of Washington state, it’s green and vibrant, and the wild still takes hold.
Some of the pictures were taken at Mt. Rainier, some at Port Townsend, some from Tolmie State Park down in Olympia, some from Marymoor park near here, others at lake front parks around here, a few from my own yard.
MOUNT RAINIER:
PORT TOWNSEND:
TOLMIE STATE PARK:
OUR HOME:
MARYMOOR PARK:
Such beautiful landscapes. I didn’t know how beautiful it was on the west coast until I started reading your books, blogs, and Facebook posts. Thank you for sharing your world with us. I absolutely LOVE being outdoors and am lucky enough to have several parks and wooded areas near my home. Maybe one day I can remember to take pictures and share them with you.
Beautiful pictures. So calming. You describe this area so beautifully in your books. My father lived in Renton for 40+ years and he’d send me pictures of the area. I’ve lived in Ohio most of my life and we have some wonderful forests and lakes too.
Thanks for beautiful pictures and thoughts. They really resonate
Absolutely beautiful. The words, the pictures and you. You are very lucky to live in an environment that speaks to your soul so fully. My spiritual “home”is quite similar. Rocky beaches, huge trees, grassy glens and meadows of wildflowers. Think of an extreme combination of Northern California and Scotland Alas, my husband will not leave AZ. So I make the best of what I have. Mother Moon is beautiful and surrounded with endless stars, nothing smells as good as the desert after a good rain and our rivers and lakes are wonderful during the hot summers. The best thing of all… Next year we’ll be moved up to the cool pines of the Payson area. As much as I love to decorate, I don’t think I’ll be spending much time indoors Thank you so much for the inspiration and the reminders to appreciate what we have and what’s yet to come.
Simply beautiful and soul relaxing
*Relaxed sigh* These are lovely, relaxing pictures!