Mothers' Day 2013

Grizzley Peak May 18, 2013

        I could wax nostalgic on this one, or I could proudly extol the many virtues of my son and daughter, but, though I treasure the memories and am incredibly proud of both Peter and Gretchen, I think I’ll just reflect on Mothers Day 2013 which I recently spent with Gretchen….actually we had a whole weekend just to ourselves, and it was the best Mothers’ Day ever!

"Happy Mothers' Day, Mom!"

        Gretchen’s partner owns a wonderful little cabin that he and his dad and brother built high on a mountain not far from Ashland. This secluded cabin sits on a couple hundred acres of their land,  and is surrounded by forest service land. It is totally off the grid and hidden away and this is where Gretchen, Bleu and I spent Mothers’ Day weekend.

Tom's Cabin

        Gretchen was all packed and ready when I arrived in Ashland on Friday night, so we were able to head out early Saturday morning. The day was clear and warm, a perfect spring day for hiking and Bleu was thrilled when he saw us piling food and bags of supplies by the door! I swear dogs can sense a road-trip hours before anyone has even begun to pack!

Bleu....always ready...

         Once we arrived (a mere half hour drive away), we unpacked and headed out for a hike on the PCT which we hooked into just about a half mile away. The weather was clear and warm, the wildflowers were in full glory, and the snow melt glistened in marshy pools. We had hit it perfectly! Snow gone, weeds not up yet, and everything looking its very best….including the view of Mt. McLoughlin!

As the Clouds Lift....Mt. McLoughlin

Devil's Paint Brush with Mt. McLaughlin Behind

Lichens on Cedar

         After a wonderful day of hiking, we returned to the cabin for a cozy evening. Gretchen served a lovely Chardonnay with chili Tom made especially for us for dinner. 

The fire crackled in the woodstove and we shared precious time….. It was perfect!

The Best Daughter in the World!

     And while Gretchen prepared dinner and took care of Bleu, I had time to "ink sling" (phrase from my former students). See below.

From Mom ...in Gratitude

Lush, unfurling plant life

carpets the rocky hills

as rivulets of snow-melt

glisten under new growth.

Magenta thickets of wild current

decorate the landscape,

  clouds morph and sprinkle,

and trillium lights the understory with stars.
As the sun slides westward
and the air turns damp and chilly,

 the smell of wood smoke

draws us back to the cabin.