Tree Meditations - a 40 Day Sadhana

I'm completing a 40 day meditation sadhana as part of a learning journey in my online yoga studio. For two years I've been working on completing the seven step program in the Body, Mind, and Soul Yoga Studio. This is the final step. For 40 consecutive days I will do the same meditation daily. I chose a meditation from the CALM app by Jeff Warren titled "Rooted." It is a 10 minute meditation imagining I am a tree. Each day a different tree comes to mind and gives me insights into its positive qualities and intentions to include in my daily life. Each day I will add the daily tree below. 

Day 1 (July 24, 2023) - Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda) from Heron Pond in Southern Illinois reminds me to be happy and loving. 

Rhonda by Cherrybark Oak at Heron Pond in 2019.

Day 2 (7-25-23) - Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) is fun, strong, hip, colorful, and proud. 

Giant ponderosa pine at LaPine State Park in Oregon,
considered to be the largest of its kind in the world. Taken 7-9-23. 

Day 3 (7-26-23) - Japanese Maple (Acer japonica 'Osakazuki') my shade garden is patient, peaceful, graceful, and kind. 

Japanese Maple in my shade garden on 7-26-23. 

Day 4 (7-27-23) - Banyan (Ficus benghalensis) in Edison Home in Ft. Myers, Florida. I pictured myself sitting behind its many trunks where she reveals her social, friendly, cool, welcoming nature. 

Banyan tree at Edison Home in 2016.

Day 5 (7-28-23) - Black walnut (Juglans nigra). I pictured a big, old tree in the yard where I grew up in Canton, IL. I don't have a picture of it, but this picture is of an offspring from that tree that my Dad transplanted (with my niece Tiffany in the swing). Black walnuts are strong and defenders of themselves. They teach us to watch out for ourselves and remember to look for the emotional and spiritual side of things, not always focusing on power and money. A great tree! 

Black Walnut tree in Canton, IL about 1996. 

Day 6 (7-29-23) - White Pine (Pinus strobus) is soft, flexible, and resilient. 

White pine that Derek planted as a sapling in 2003 that he got in the 3rd grade.
Photo taken in 2020. 

Day 7 (7-30-23) - Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) is soft, big, and a sentinel of the shoreline. 

Tyler in 2013 by a large cottonwood at my parents home.
I cried when they cut it down. 

Day 8 (7-31-23) - Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthus) is lethargic and slow.

Day 9 (8-1-23) - White oak (Quercus alba) is the Mother of the forest - loving and caring. 

Large white oak in 2020 on trail at Dickson Mounds Museum. 

Day 10 (8-2-23) - no specific tree came to mind. I thought of many and felt a grounding to the earth. 

Day 11 (8-3-23) - Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) made me feel radiant and free. 

Silver maple in our front yard on 8-3-23.

Day 12 (8-4-23) - Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) tells me to embrace time and place. This tree is old and content where it is due to adaptability, resiliency, and joyful living. 

Rhonda hiking the Bristlecone Pine trail at Great Basin National Park in 2022. 

Day 13 (8-5-23) - Pin oak (Pinus palustrus) lives with strength, structure, and stability and so will I. 

Pin oak at St. Louis Botanial Garden in 2012.

Day 14 (8-6-23) - Willow (Salix alba) represents fluid, flexibility, freedom, and whimsy. 

Willow in the Portland, Oregon Chinese Garden in 2009.

Day 15 (8-7-23) - Banana is fun, supple, and bouncy. 

View of banana from my meditation pillow. 

Day 16 (8-8-23) - Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) reminds me to "live by the precept of the Honorable Harvest - to take only waht is given, to use it well, to be grateful for the gift, and to reciprocate the gift." Source: Braiding Sweetwater Grass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, page 20-21.

Sitting under the pecan tree,
watching my husband and dad harvest vegetables. 

Day 17 (8-9-23) - Forest Bathing (no specific tree came to mind during today's meditation)

Day 18 (8-10-23) - Hawthorn (Crataegus sp.) sent me vibes of confidence, boundaries (defense), sharing, and radiance while also revealing its spring flowers, summer shine, fall fruit, and winter structure. I pictured the hawthorns at Canton's Lakeland Park that I used to water while working there in college-year summers. 

Day 19 (8-11-23) - Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) - is burly, strong, stable, and a leader. 

Day 20 (8-12-23) - Birch (Betula sp.). Immediately as my meditation began I felt myself under a large river birch (B. nigra) while kayaking flooded Rice Lake in 2019, then I went to the paper birch (B. papyrifera) while canoeing and camping the boundary waters in 1976 & 1977, and finally to the water birch (B. occidentalis) of the Great Basin the past couple years. Each time I was at ONE with nature. 

River birch (left) growing out of a cottonwood tree at Rice Lake. 

Day 21 (8-13-23) - Black cherry (Prunus serotina) - I sat beneath a grove of black cherry in our woods to meditate and felt at one on the Earth. 

Day 22 (8-14-23) - Witchhazel (Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise') - When she explodes with blooms before everything else in the garden, she gets so excited. She bursts open and starts spring early, showing off her brilliance to the world, then relaxes and enjoys summer sun and rain. She feels tingles when someone touches her then sleeps soundly through the winter. A fun little tree/shrub that is also healing, medicinal, and sacred. 

Witchhazel on March 4, 2020

Day 23 (8-15-23) - Eucalyptus stands tall next to the Pacific ocean, welcoming monarch butterflies to overwinter in its branches. It teaches us to be fun, friendly, free, and colorful. 

Monarch in a Eucalyptus at Pismo Beach Monarch Sanctuary on 2-18-2021

Day 24 (8-16-23)- Joshua Tree - patient, sun loving, peaceful, and slow

Rhonda at Joshua Tree National Park on 1-31-2022.

Moved to Self-Guided practice using nature sounds music and a timer. 

Day 25 (8-17-23) - Costa Rica Jungle 

Tree Fern in Costa Rica in 2013

Day 26 (8-18-23) - Douglas Fir - I selected a Northwest sounds video and meditated from a Douglas Fir tree. I felt clean, clear, unique, timeless, and expansive. 

Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Grand Tetons National Park, 9-5-2021.

Day 27 (8-19-23)  California oaks - unpredictable, long-lasting, grumpy

Rhonda ‎⁨in Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve⁩, ⁨Los Osos⁩, ⁨California⁩, on 2-7-2021.

Day 28 (8-20-23) - Sycamore - resilient and radiant

Sycamore at Ferree Home

Day 29 (8-21-23) - River trees - I was a bird in the tree along the Illinois River at Anderson Lake. I flew across the lake to the river and sat, watching the river flow by. Later I flew to a tree in the forest and watched the lightning bugs wake up and sing all around. I was an owl, silent, wise, and all-seeing. 

Rhonda sitting in tree along Illinois River on. 8-14-2019.

Day 30 (8-22-23) - Forest Songs of peace and positive vibes

Lusk Creek Nature Preserve in Southern Illinois

Day 31 (8-23-23) - University of Illinois Quad trees sent me wisdom, clarity, and intuition.

University of Illinois Quad on 10-24-2014

Day 32 (8-24-23) - Backyard pond and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) tree.  I heard the sound of wind chimes and water trickling. I started in a park by water, then a botanical garden, and ended in my own backyard feeling at peace in the warm vibrations of love and home. I am at home on earth with my biggest family "tree." 

Green Ash tree at end of garden pond in my backyard.

Day 33 (8-25-23) - Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) - I saw the Lone Cypress at 17 mile drive where it stands in the harsh elements content in space and time. 

Lone Cypress on 17 mile drive, Pebble Beach, Monterey, CA.

Day 34 (8-26-23) - Spring flowering trees: Flowering redbud, magnolia, and dogwood reminded me to start each day with new hope, energy, and grace. 

Yellow Butterflies Magnolia with redbud in background in 2019 at my house. 

Day 35 (8-27-23) - Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) is sweet, friendly, and positive.

Sugar maple in Mississippi Palisades State Park in 2020.

Day 36 (8-28-23) - White birch (Betula paperifera). I did this meditation while riding behind Mark on our Triumph Tiger motorcycle through the Pictured Rocks National Shoreline area. The white birches around me stood out as elegant, delicate, and pretty. 

White birch at campground in Upper Michigan, 2023. 

Day 37 (8-29-23) - Upper Forest trees - part of them all in Upper Michigan.

Day 38 (8-30-23) - Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) 

Day 39 (8-31-23) - Any tree in the Upper Forest

Day 40 (9-1-23) - All trees. I"m part of Earth's Family "Tree"

View from my last day's meditation at Island Lake National Forest Campground, Upper Michigan, September 1, 2023.

A Banner Marsh Morning Paddle

For years we’ve been wanting to kayak at Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area. We drive past it routinely and even headed that direction about five years ago, but it never did work out – until today (Friday, July 21, 2023). I don’t know what I expected, but I certainly did not expect to be so impressed with this site. I really expected it to be a mucky, marshy, messy, muddy water without much character. Boy, was I ever wrong. 

Figure 1. Mark kayaks away from the Banner Marsh boat dock.

Banner Marsh was amazing. We started at the boat ramp and paddled down the long straight-a-way along a well-established kayak trail with metal signage leading the way. I also followed a Banner Marsh Paddle Route from the AllTrails app. We ended up paddling 3.4 miles for 1 hour and 40 minutes. 

Figure 2. Mark paddling among the water lilies at Banner Marsh.

Immediately we remarked on how clear the water was. We could see fish swimming and water plants were all along the shoreline, water plants that usually need clean water to flourish. Particularly outstanding were the American waterlily (Nymphaea odorata), small pondweed, yellow water primrose, and cattail (though most cattails were choked out by the invasive reed grasses). 

Figure 3. American Waterlily at Banner Marsh.

There were a lot of invasive plants along the shoreline such as Common Reed Grass (Phragmites sp.), Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), honeysuckle, and teasel. Yet, we also saw some nice shoreline plants, including a fruiting black cherry tree (Prunus serotina) with ripening fruit hanging over the water. Several trumpet creeper flowers and a few nice dogwoods.

Figure 4. Black Cherry fruit at Banner Marsh.

Along the route we saw a couple pair of graceful swans, some great blue herons, and many turtles popping their heads above water to watch us float by

This might be our new go-to kayaking destination. Next time we’ll take a picnic lunch and our fishing poles. 

A Hellish Night in Shawnee National Forest

Gunshots rang through the cool, rainy, dark campground and I felt paralyzed within my already vulnerable and confining sleeping bag and tent. My fear had been growing over the past hour as shouts of apparent anger from another campsite grew ever louder and more intense. I had already began preparing for my escape if it was needed. When I heard the gunshots, I knew it was time. 

I was camping at Bell Smith Spring Recreation Area’s Redbud campground in Southern Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest. Mark and I had checked out this campground many times when hiking there and I decided my solo trek back to Havana was a perfect time to try it. I was on my way back from Nags Head, North Carolina where I’d dropped off Mark to start his month-long motorcycle adventure on the Trans America Trail (TAT).

I arrived early on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, and quickly set up camp in site #12. I was sitting in my chair eating grapes and cheese when a breeze picked up and it looked like rain. I got my chair pushed inside the truck bed tent just as it started to rain. Inside, I comfortably sat in my chair, listened to music, and continued writing my book on my laptop. 

Camping at Bell Smith Springs Redbud Campground

Inside tent

Later the rain let up, so I went for a hike, lit a campfire, made a simple supper, and enjoyed my peaceful evening in the forest. I had just put everything away for the night when it started raining again. I was glad I took down the clothesline. The only things still out were the firewood inside a small tarp and Mark’s heavy motorcycle ramp, that I’d need when I retrieved him in Oregon in 30-some days. It was pouring rain, but I was nice and dry inside. 

Hiking along spicebush and broad beech fern on the Jay Gap trail at Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area. 

I fell asleep watching a movie I’d downloaded on my iPad and woke up in a confused state at about midnight. It was still raining. I tried to go back to sleep but couldn’t. I kept hearing noises around me. I told myself it was a small animal, or the movie noise, or the rain in the trees. It was hard to tell with the rain just what the sounds were. 

Soon I heard yelling and screaming. I turned off all my devices and listened with a tight chest and quickening heart. All kinds of scenarios ran through my mind, but mainly they were about what wacked out people might do in the rain and dark. It was VERY dark. I grabbed the truck bed-retrieving stick and bear spray for defense, though not sure how I’d use them, and began thinking of a plan to escape if needed. 

Then I heard two gunshots and knew I had to get out of that tent. I put on my hiking boots, grabbed a small flashlight and my phone (with no signal) and stepped outside in the rain – less intense but still raining. I had on pocketless sweatpants and a sweatshirt, so tried to tuck my items into my underwear. I briefly thought about hiding in the woods, but it was cold and wet and hours until daylight. 

Then I heard more shots and made a move. I had positioned the truck on the campsite sideways and had Mark’s big cycle ramp and the firewood under the tailgate on the ground. As quietly as I could I dragged the heavy ramp away from the truck so I could back it up and maneuver out of there. I left the tent up in the back of the truck with everything inside, the tailgate step and lift pole out, and drove away slowly, going in the wrong direction down the one-way road out of camp to avoid the scary campers. I didn’t see anyone in the dark campground on my way out. I drove slowly down the gravel road away from potential danger and started to feel safer and better. At the turnoff to the other parking area, I pulled over – a safe distance from the crazies - and moved my suitcase and backpack to the cab of the truck. Everything else I laid down and left in the tent, then undid the tent straps from the truck and loosened the tent poles to partially collapse them. I just stuffed it all haphazardly into the truck bed and pulled the tonneau cover over it all, closing the tailgate. 

In the dark and rain, at 1:30 a.m., I drove slowly down the rough gravel, narrow Shawnee forest roads. I saw many deer, opossum, and racoons. One small buck stood in the road a few moments before letting me pass. I kept watching the cell signal but there was none. Back out on Rt. 145 I drove south to find a town – Eddyville I think. I had cell service there, so called 911 and got emotional with the sheriff. He said he’d send a deputy out since shots were fired and told me where a hotel was in Harrisburg, about 15 miles north. The Super8 night clerk there was very nice but new and took forever to get me a room. I restlessly slept a few hours, got up at 6:30 a.m., showered, had breakfast, then pondered who to call for advice. Should I go back for the $300 ramp or just go home and try to find a replacement. Mark was camping somewhere without cell service, so I texted my sister, then called our son Derek, who said without hesitation to go get the ramp. I rearranged the truck bed at the hotel to allow room when I got there for a quick recovery. 

In the clear, calm light of day, on the way back to camp, I could feel my confidence and courage building, but I was still apprehensive. As I drove off Rt. 145 deeper into the forest, I could feel the trees sending me positive vibes. They seemed to tell me that it wasn’t their fault and they supported me, and I’d be okay. Stupid people are not a reason to fear nature. Adding to my courage, Mark called me just as I turned onto the Bell Smith Springs Road. I pulled over to tell him my story, then proceeded back to the scene with him on the line, but I lost him as I backed into the space to retrieve my items. 

As I walked to my truck after retrieving the ramp and firewood, I almost went back for a black feather that I’d found when I arrived the day before. Someone had stuck it into the stump of a pine tree, and it had seemed either a bit omen or a bit prophetic at the time. A nearby campsite had a voodoo-like thing hanging in a tree, and I wondered what type of people camp in Redbud campground. Had someone hexed the site, or did they leave it as a positive sign to the next camper? During by travels I had been listening to the audiobook “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed where she describes in the Corvidology chapter about how a black feather is a symbol of the void and beginning again. I did not take the feather with me, but I do think it was a sign and helped pull me out of the dark void of that moment to be proactive for my safety. It did change me. I’ve always known I’m strong, but I feel it deeper now. I also know I won’t put myself in that situation again. Next time I’ll camp in a state park by elderly, retired, peaceful folks. 

As I drove away, I felt proud of my confidence and courage, and was glad I hadn’t paid yet since I didn’t stay even one whole night. It wasn’t until I was about 100 miles north on my way home that the intensity of my relief set in. I wasn’t the vulnerable girl taught to fear every situation and person. I was a strong woman who took control of her situation and provided for her own safety. I had used my training and experiences to circumvent the situation and feel safe. 

It was about then that it also occurred to me that maybe the people weren’t wild-eyed, drug induced, crazy people, but rather ordinary campers frustrated with pesky coons that ravage and scavenge every camp I’ve ever visited. Maybe they were yelling at the coons to go away and maybe they got so frustrated that they finally shot at them. I sure hope they got the SOBs. 

Unloading haphazardly loaded truck at home.

This beautiful wisteria greeted me when I got home.

Finding Magic at the 1st Annual Bend Yoga Festival

I wanted to do the Bend Yoga Festival the first time I heard about it in our Body, Mind, and Soul (BMS) Studio. Oregon is an amazing location for an outdoor yoga festival, and I would meet studio members face to face, including our inspirational leader Allie Van Fossen and her assistant Jess. This festival spoke to me, and Mark got on board immediately. We added an excursion at the beginning of the trip to the Redwoods and Crater Lake National Parks and booked the trip almost immediately (watch for articles on visiting the Redwoods and Crater Lake). 

As is usually the case, as the time got closer, I felt increasingly nervous and a bit unworthy. The day before the festival began, I was particularly nervous. I was anxious and wondered if I really belonged in this group. Yet, deep down my inner mentor kept reassuring me that I belonged and had a right to be there. 

It helped meeting the BMS family prior to the festival opening. I had a great time meeting Allie and the studio family members Friday night. We met at Bend Brewing Company for conversation over local beer and food. Met Jess, Heather, Veronica, and so many more. The next morning, I met some fellow studio members on my way into the festival, so we spread our yoga mats out together.  

Figure 1. Body, Mind, and Soul Studio Members meet in person.

Each festival attendee was given a gift bag with an astrological calendar, then we set an intention for the festival by dropping a rose petal in water. My intention was to relax, enjoy, connect, and “Find the Magic.” The opening session was a “Community Ritual and Welcome Ceremony” by Sianna Sherman and Masood Ali Khan. It was challenging with some intense asanas and included some great music. I really enjoyed the class. 

Figure 2. Waiting on the first session of the 2022 Bend Yoga Festival.

The sun was so strong both days. The first day, I was there from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., mostly in the full sun. I tried to put on suntan lotion, but I couldn’t reach it all. I burned bad in those spots on my back that are usually covered. The second day we all tried to stay in the shade when possible, and I took more coverups. It was cool in the morning, so my planned layers worked very well (watch for article on trip planning).

The festival is a nice mix of yoga and other health-related classes. I particularly enjoyed the interesting class on “Anti-inflammatory Living” with Dr. Emily Wolbers of QC Natural Health. My takeaway was to eat more Omega 3 fish, less of the nightshades, peanuts, corn, and citrus. I decided to redo my food sensitivity test and learned that meditation tools really help with inflammation and anxiety. (Note: I later went to Dr. Wolber’s medical practice in Moline, IL for the food sensitivity test. I learned a lot from her and she gave me some supplements that have helped.) I also did a session on “Ayurveda: Ancient Solutions to Modern Problems” by Suzie Newcome. 

Mark and I both enjoyed Bend, Oregon. He spent his days hiking at Smith Rock State Park and white-water rafting on the Deschutes River with Sun Country Tours. We met each evening at the hotel and enjoyed local food and drink. My favorite was falafel salad and hazy IPA beer sitting outside at the Cascades Lakes Brewpub near our hotel.

Allie’s two sessions gave me the best take home messages. Her “Awaken the Chakra System” session was after the opening asana on the first day. We all moved closer to her, and she did an amazing job. She taught using the chakras in a very slow, peaceful, reflective way. I got choked up when she had us punch out – “I can, and I will.” So powerful as I looked at the snowcapped mountains and the clear blue sky. Evergreens surrounded the skyline park fields. Allie asked us to reflect on which chakra we needed to work on most, and here is what I wrote. 

I think it’s my throat chakra. I want to speak freely, without reservation or regrets. I want to freely self-express. A balanced throat is at peace, truthful, listens, communicates well, and has strong self-expression. I’ll work more on this area. I just need to be myself. I’m not a young yogi like most of them. I am timider and more introverted, but I still do it. I still feel the magic. 

 Figure 3. Allie Van Fossen teaches the Chakras, with assistance from Jess.

Her closing session helped me reflect on how much the festival meant to me. She walked us through the Five Koshas and had us reflect on how the festival helped us open each sheath. 

Annamayakosha - Physical body...I felt most connected, safest, strongest, most secure in my physical body during the conscious dance session. I felt free to move and act in whatever way felt right at that moment. I was me – without worry or distraction. It was freeing and fun. 

“Conscious Dance...A SoundoffTM Experience” was my third festival session, and I was blown away. We wore headphones and our instructor Petit Davina played music while providing some guidance. I danced all around and got into the music very well. Not sure how I looked doing it, but it didn’t matter at all. This was a fun class. Something totally new for me that I never imagined doing. (Note: Over the year, the festival has posted short video clips on their BendYogaFestival Instagram Page, and I saw myself dance on one. I looked great!)

Figure 4. Me (in blue cap) dancing, see full video on Vimeo.

Pranymaykosha – Energy Body...My energy was flowing freely in today’s asana session. I was comfortable and although we laughed that we couldn’t do it all, we tried. I flowed to the music and her instructions with my community all around me. 

The “Rasa Yoga” session by Masood Ali Khan and Sianna Sherman on the second day was fun and challenging. It included great music and mudras. Part of the session was done with a partner. My partner, another BMS studio member, and I laughed and laughed as we tried to get our bodies to mirror the instructors.  

Manomayakosha – Psycho-Emotional Body...I feel calmest and clearest right now during this closing session. I feel I belong and I’m on the right path. I can do hard things. I need to do hard things. I know now that I’ll do more. 

Allie’s “Closing Meditation and Ceremony” was especially spiritual because she moved it under shady trees, and I was surrounded by my new friends and BMS family members. The smaller crowd allowed us time to each share our take-home intention for the festival (see below). I was so moved that I didn’t want it to end.

Vijnanamayakosa - Wisdom body...My wisdom body was online and present during the sunrise meditation today. I felt connected to the people around me, the place, the music, the instructor, and to myself. I felt at peace and know my life is on the right path. There is more to do and I’m excited to see what that is. 

I had a great second morning at the festival. The “Sunrise Meditation” by Alexandra Lyon at 8 a.m. was very moving. 

Anandamayakosha - Bliss body...I had a blissful moment during Allie’s chakra session. I looked up to see a hawk fly over, the blue sky, white capped mountain, sun & wind. All the elements were present, and I felt whole and one with the world. 

Festival Closing Intention...Act now to open my throat chakra. I know now that I do belong, and I can do hard things. “I will open my voice to express myself freely and fully.” 

My journal entry at the end of the festival gives me insight into my future. 

Overall, I’m so glad I came. It was hard but I was able to push away the fear and find the courage to move on. Without that drive I’d miss so much that I want to do. I do see my life starting to move toward something new. I feel it is something to protect and/or help properly manage the earth. I’m not giving up the writing dream, but I just don’t feel it anymore. I want to volunteer at a park or help at a yoga place. I could even volunteer at Shoshoni or a similar place. I can help others find their true selves and feel more connected to our Earth. (Note: Over the next year I began to realize that writing is part of this change in my life. I write extensively about travel and connecting to nature and earth through plants, hoping it will help others find that connection too.)

I walked out of the festival feeling bliss and knowing that I met my initial intention. I found the magic of the festival in the people, music, surroundings, and practices. Best yet, I continue to build on what I learned there, both on and off the mat. I highly recommend this festival and know that attendees at the 2nd Annual Bend Yoga Festival will find the magic too. 

Note: The First Annual Bend Yoga Festival was held on June 25-26, 2022 at Skyline Park. 

Solitude and Adventure in Silverton, Colorado

Sitting at the saloon bar having a root beer and soup, we listened to the piano player, watched other patrons come and go through the swinging door, and felt like we were in an episode of Gunsmoke. Later we sat on a rooftop bar, drank Moscow mules out of copper mugs, and watched the steam engine train depart for Durango. 

This was one of many stops on our 2016 motorcycle group ride. Views of the mountains were all around us, and we knew that this was a special place we needed to experience again. So, when Bigger Life Adventures offered a yoga retreat in Silverton, Colorado in 2022 (see yoga retreat blog), I jumped at the opportunity. We hoped to experience that old west feeling again, ride the Durango train, and spend some quality time in the mountains. 

Molas Lake Campground and Nearby Trails
We made Silverton part of our fall camping trip of 2022. After spending several days in the Great Basin National Park (see blog), our home base for Silverton, Colorado was Molas Lake Park & Campground. Owned by the town of Silverton, this 237-acre campground sits along the Million Dollar Highway (US 550) in the central San Juan Mountains. At 10,500 ft elevation, the campground and its 25-acre natural alpine lake provide spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains peaks all around. We stayed in site #57 in the large gravel area. It didn’t have a view of the lake, but it was private, spacious, and comfortable. 

Figure 1. Molas Lake Park & Campground.

During our stay at Molas Lake, Mark and I did separate adventures: me at the yoga retreat in Silverton and Mark riding his Triumph Tiger on nearby mountain passes. Together we explored the area hiking trails and a few natural areas. 

Figure 2. Campsite at Molas Lake.

There is much to see right at camp, and it is a popular destination for fishermen, kayakers, and hikers. As we walked around camp, I found many interesting plants, including potentilla, fireweed, oxeye daisy, and flax. Above at the Molas Lake Overlook there was a cutleaf daisy. 

Figure 3. Enjoying views from across Molas Lake. 

Figure 4. Potentilla shrub

Figure 5. Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium).

Figure 6. Blue flax (Linum sp.)

Figure 7. Oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare).

Figure 8. Molas Lake Overlook.

Figure 9. Cutleaf Daisy (Erigeron compositus) at Molas Lake Overlook.

Exploring out from the campground, we hiked the Molas Lake Loop – an easy 2 mile walk above and down to Molas Lake. It very briefly follows the Colorado trail – a 486-mile backpacking trail from Denver to Durango. We started the Molas Lake loop at our camper and followed it across meadows and into small aspen groves. All along were very nice evergreens sprinkled throughout the landscape. 

Figure 10. Molas Lake trail.

Across the Million Dollar Highway from camp, Little Molas Lake has another hiking trail. We hiked it on a misty, rainy day. It is an easy hike around the little lake, meandering close to the lake through trees, grasses, and wetland spots.   

Figure 11. Little Molas Lake.

Mineral Springs Creek Near Silverton, CO
Separately, Mark and I had been by the South Mineral Springs Campground area on our solo adventures: me to hike the Ice Lakes trail and Mark riding near Red Mountain pass. Together we chose a spot along the creek near some dispersed campsites to relax and enjoy an afternoon.

Here is my journal entry that day. 

Sitting in lawn chairs along Mineral Springs Creek. The sun is warm in the 60-degree air. There is less breeze down here by the water. I am surrounded by mountains. Beyond the creek is a steep range covered in evergreens – tall spires of Christmas green, probably spruce or Douglas fir. Across the meadow behind me is another range with sparser vegetation of evergreens speckled with lighter colored and textured aspen, many in full yellow fall splendor. To the west, peaking between those two ranges is a conical spire of sage green vegetation terraced by steep black rock. Back there is where I hiked to Ice Lake, just one week ago. The sky is cobalt blue with bright white fluffy clouds slowly gliding across the sky. 

The creek in front of me is crystal clear, flowing quickly across the shallow stone lined streambed. The water glistens and sparkles in the sunshine as it ripples around the rocks. Darker, calm areas alternate between the ripples. The sound of the falling water is pure peace. We came to the mountains to find peace and serenity in one of nature’s purest places. We found it. I am calm. I am happy. I am one with earth’s spirit. Thank you, plants, rocks, soil, water, trees, grasses, flies, butterflies, bees, logs – everything – for your presence here. I send you all my love and life. Vibrations of life are strong here. We are all alive here together. 

Figure 12. Journaling along Mineral Springs Creek.

Durango-Silverton Train Ride

Today we rode the steam engine train from Durango to cascade canyon. The first part through the towns wasn’t great but the run into the mountains was spectacular. We sat on Gondola #31, seats 9 & 10. A nice day in the open-air car. The train went past canyons above and next to the Animas River. So pretty. We were only at the canyon long enough to eat lunch and walk a bit. A pretty spot. We sat on a rock by the river and ate the box lunches we ordered with our trip: me a beet veggie sandwich and Mark a chicken salad BLT. 

It was fun to watch the landscape as we chugged along on the train. Vast expanses of green mountains behind alpine lakes. Below us a raging stream with occasionally waterfalls flowed quickly past us, slowly cutting the canyon deeper. We saw flowering aspen, sunflowers, narrowleaf cottonwood, pine, spruce, and many flowering plants too far away to identify properly. 

Figure 13. Steam Engine train rounding a bend above the Animas River.

Figure 14. We saw a deer from the train. 

Figure 15. Plants growing in rocks along train.

Figure 16. Ponderosa pine along train.

Figure 17. Mark enjoying lunch stop.

Figure 18. View on way back to Durango.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

During the 2016 Colorado Moto group ride we also briefly visited the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. However, it was raining that day and we were only there a few minutes. Wow, after going back and spending more time, we realized how much we had missed that day. 

Here is my journal entry that day. 

Had another great day. Rode the Tiger to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. It was very cold when we started (low 40s, though we were fine in our heated riding gear). The ride to Ouray on the Million Dollar highway was spectacular. It was overcast most of the way and misted on us a few times. The road hugs the stone canyon wall on one side and drops off sharply into the deep canyon on the other side. There are many switchbacks and pigtails and curve after curve twists around the mountain. The views around each curve emerge like a picture in a coffee table picture book. So many greens, and blues, and grays. Occasionally the raging river below was visible – always rushing over and around the rocks and boulders. 

Figure 19. Video of us riding the Million Dollar Highway.

We stopped for a coffee break and warm up in Montrose, then rode on to the Canyon’s visitor center, but they were about to close for lunch. We walked down to the Gunnison Point lookout. We’d been there before during our Colorado moto group ride in 2016. However, we only got a quick look that day and left due to rain. This time we were able to stay longer and really get the feeling of the place. 

We rode all the way to the end of the south rim road and had a snack at High Point. We walked to the viewpoints at Dragon Point, Painted wall view, Chasm view, and Pulpit Rock overlook. Black Canyon is hard to describe. In many places it is like a mirage of stone – we see the river at the bottom but can’t find where it turns into the canyon. The mostly black canyons have bands of lighter hardened magna in them, creating shapes like dragons. I even saw a face of a Gollum-like creature. Sheer cliffs facing south were all rock, at least from a distance. Because they face south, the snow melts and there is less freeze-thaw cracking in the rocks. The other side is more sloping and vegetated. Banks of trees run down the cliffs, in places, from their flat home at the top.

Back at the visitors center we bought our usual souvenirs then headed back to Silverton. We stopped in Ouray for a break to have a beer. That was just what we needed. As we climbed the Million Dollar highway back to Molas Lake campground, the temperatures continued to drop. 

Figure 20. River flowing below the canyon walls at The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Figure 21. Gollum-like fissure in the rock.

Figure 22. Old wind-shaped tree atop the Black Canyon.

Figure 23. Signage about plants in the canyon.

Figure 24. Plants along trail to a canyon lookout, including sagebrush and aster.

Figure 25. Rocky face vs. greener slope.

Going Home

Left camp this morning to start our drive home. We both hated to leave. Other than it being so cold there, it was such a beautiful location. We woke up each morning to sunrise over the mountain peaks, then walked to the lake for another epic view. We’ll miss it. 

Figure 26. View of sunset from our camper.

We did what we set out to do in this location. We experienced the old west feeling again and rode the Durango train. But mostly, we spent some quality time in the mountains and connected even deeper to nature’s beauty and power all around us. Adventure! Solitude! Togetherness! Silverton lived up to its expectations and more.