Why I Should Hike Every Day No Matter What by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

I didn’t know how trapped I was

in my own busyness until,

walking past a quiet lake

and up through a lush spruce forest

I felt how with each step toward tree line

more calendar squares disappeared

and all my lists dissolved until

I was nowhere but wading

through waist-high bluebells

with corn lilies rising above my head.

How still my mind was then, still,

as I traversed creeks and clambered

over fallen trees. Still as I climbed

to the place where the clear water

streams down gray cliffs and yellow

monkey flower flourishes on the banks.

I was bathed with gratefulness.

Is it true that to know this freedom

once is to be able to carry it

like a touchstone in my body?

Will the larkspur have any dominion

tomorrow while I’m trapped in a deadline?

Will the scent of summer’s last wild roses

return when I’m scrambling

for just ten more minutes?

Oh freedom, I long to contain you.

That thought makes me laugh.

Yet it’s true. I long to find myself

mid-hustle still linked to the gurgling stream,

its waters so cold I can’t help but gasp.

Announcing Four Additional Seasonal Walking Events in Carmel Valley, CA

Join me for a series of four seasonal contemplative walks in a beautiful landscape!

We will walk the same trails each season in an area with diverse environments including forest, chaparral, redwoods, seasonal streams and ponds: an evocative path for a journey through the four seasons. With a distance of about 7 miles and about a 1,000 feet of ascent (and descent), this walk can be arduous at times. Walking the same route each season, often completely in silence, supports self-reflection, witnessing and observation. On this walk, you will allow nature to touch you in a deep way.

In addition to walking in silence, the walk may include a guided meditation, a contemplative nature practice, the reading of poetry and sharing circles.

Be a pilgrim for a day: leave your phone behind and be ready to slow down, to fully engage your senses and to be amazed by the beauty that exists in the natural world. Come home refreshed and reconnected to yourself, others and nature, ready to fully engage your whole self to life.

These walks are open to self-identified women of all ages and backgrounds. The only requirement is that you are able to walk the distance and stay with the group. Bring a lunch, plenty of water and a notebook if you like to journal. Hiking poles are recommended for additional support on steep slopes.

Any questions, please contact me.

Dates:
CANCELED- Spring- April 4
Summer- June 13
Fall- October 3
Winter- December 5

Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Group Size: 6 to 12
Location: Garland Ranch Regional Park, Carmel Valley, CA
Cost: sliding scale (suggested donation of $10 to $35 per walk). No one will be turned away for lack of funds. It is in the spirit of generosity that I embrace the 2500-year-old Buddhist tradition of dana and provide these events freely to all who are interested.

Cancellation: No refunds for cancellations made 7 days before the walk.

Registration: Register here for all four or any of the events.

The Nature Pyramid: Are You Getting Your Recommended Doses?

The Pyramid, called The SHIFT Rx Challenge Pyramid was informed by Florence Williams’ research in her book The Nature Fix, as well as Tanya Denkla-Cobb/the Biophilic Cities Project’s “Nature Pyramid.” The SHIFT Rx Challenge Pyramid indicates optimal “doses” of nature. From daily micro-doses that can range from exposure to daylight and plant life multiple times per day to annual multi-day excursions into wilderness areas where people can disconnect from technology, the Pyramid offers recommendations for duration as well as location of nature contact.

“Time spent outside in nature is good for us,” said Christian Beckwith, Executive Director of The Center for Jackson Hole, SHIFT’s parent organization. “In an age when the average American child spends seven hours per day in front of screens and seven minutes in unstructured play outside; rising obesity rates add billions of dollars to health care costs; opioid addictions outpace car accidents as the leading cause of death; and the growing disconnect from nature, particularly in our urban areas, leads to stress, depression and increased levels of mental anxiety in our citizens, time outside has never been more important.”

Do you need help getting your recommended doses? I have the following offerings:

• Women’s Pilgrimage in the annually/bi-annually category

• Wise Women Walk in the monthly category

• Custom Contemplative Walk in the “anytime” category

I also offer the following coaching while walking programs:

I hope to see you on one of those. Anne-Marie

Nature Rx: Ask Your Doctor If Nature is Right For You

Nature Rx is a grassroots movement dedicated to entertaining and informing people about the healing aspects of nature. More at Nature-Rx.org.

Fill your Nature Prescription with a contemplative walk. Details here.