Elsa Rupp Nature Trail - in the Fall

While I wasn't (and still am not) completely prepared to transition from sunny and warm southern California, to the snowy mountains of northern, I am definitely enjoying the fall. One thing that San Diego lacks is seasons. I know, I know, when you can camp on the beach over Thanksgiving or send out Christmas cards with photos of your kids frolicking in the sand, who really cares.

Turns out, this girl does. Don't get me wrong, I love the beach, I spent the past two years posting daily photos of Pacific Ocean sunsets. But there's something about driving down the highway surrounded by all of the trees in their finest fall colors with white-capped mountains as the backdrop, and snuggling down with a blanket and a hot beverage on a truly cold night.

So, with that in mind, I headed out to one of my favorite local trails to see if there were any changes. And there were, because change is the only thing that's guaranteed in life.

The first thing I noticed was the ground; I could actually see it throughout the entire forest. Before, I didn't know there was a house on an adjacent property until I got right up next to it. This time, I could see the house right away, as well as the barbed wire fence surrounding the Elsa Rupp Preserve. Focusing on the trail ahead, those things faded into my periphery. Instead, I focused on the gorgeous path that was surrounded by all of the shades of green and yellow, and lined with fallen leaves and dry pine needles.

Since I have been here a few times, I decided to follow the loop to the left and felt so confident that I didn't even have my trails app open. Well, in true fashion, I got turned around a couple of times. It's a good thing I could see that fence...and I think I found another bridge! Anyway, because the greenery was sparse, I was able to see a large hive hanging by the river and I was able to take advantage of all of the benches along the trail that weren't accessible before. Yes, even on a short path I sat down.

Today was not a day for exercise, it was a day for mental health. So I paused. And I listened. And I took some breaths. And I looked up. And I absorbed the calm.

The bare branches on the trees allowed so much more light to come through, so while it was colder, it was also brighter. And without the leaves and boughs full of pine needles, you could hear the traffic from the highway, and you could also hear the trees creaking as they swayed in the wind. At one point, I think I heard two trees knocking together. It was awesome.

Connecting with nature is exactly what I needed today. I can't wait to see all of the changes that come when there is actually snow on the ground.