Watercolor, pen, collage, stamping, in sketchbook

Mendocino has wonderful art galleries, clothing stores, bakeries, delis, even a good bookstore, but after the first day, I was done with it and nature beckoned. While Bob was still occupied for the day at his workshop I set off for Russian Gulch park, a paradise for hiking and kayaking and caving and camping and probably a whole lot more. First I headed out on the headlands where I found a seagull family with two fluffy little kids looking like they were getting up nerve to fly. I guess I was pretty obvious in my attention because the mother flew over to check me out – got almost within reach and looked me in the eye. I said hello and she answered immediately, moving her strange orange beak with a “Scree, scree!” then circling around for a repeat performance to make sure I heard. I was somehow so grateful for her attention that I laughed out loud and got all goose bumpy.

Next I walked up Fern Glen trail to the waterfall, a 6 mile hike up through the redwoods past bright orange columbines and pink bleeding hearts and big hollowed out tree trunks and beds of gigantic clovers and ferns. Up to the falls where the ground squirrels/chipmunks (pictured above) approach boldly to beg for food, then scamper off to play like children by the stream. Owls hooting through the forest. I held many conversations along with way with all these wonders and felt remnants of my fear melting away in the vast benevolence of this environment.

Check out my husband Bob’s blog for samples of his monoprints from the weekend – cool stuff!