Have you ever walked a labyrinth?
A few days ago, I was leaving the doctor’s office (I seem to be living in doctors’ offices these days so I don’t even remember which one) and as I drove south, back towards “home,” I remembered that there’s a labyrinth in the middle of Hazel Dell, an unincorporated area just north of the Vancouver city limits, and I would be driving right passed it. The labyrinth is set on the property of a local church but it is open to the public. Surrounded by tall evergreens, the walking path is defined by different colored walking path pavers so the entire walking surface is flat, which is important to me these days.
Who would have ever thought I’d be thinking so much about walking paths? If I’m going to fall, I want to fall on something flat. I pay more attention to the areas I’m walking in more than I ever thought possible.
So anyway. On with the story.
The day was blustery. Very windy. As in, I thought I’d be seeing Winnie the Pooh tumbling by at any moment. As in, I thought it would blow me along the labyrinth path. But I felt the pull to stop so I whipped across one lane of traffic and turned left at the signal, headed up the hill and parked in the church parking lot, next to the sign that pointed the way to the labyrinth. I’ve been here before, many times, so I didn’t need the directional sign but it was good to know it was still there. Just in case. Because you know. You never know.
Okay, then. Back to the story. I’m really rambling around today, aren’t I?
It was so windy, I even stopped on the path down to the labyrinth to record a bit of the wind in the trees – it was so musical and… well, blustery!
The labyrinth area was covered in leaves – big, wet, mushy, brown leaves – and lots of evergreen needles and branches. It was like walking an obstacle course getting down to the labyrinth and onto the labyrinth itself. We’ve had a lot of rain lately and along with the wind, and what with the holiday season, I’m guessing it isn’t high on the priority list for the people who maintain it to give it a sweep. If I’d had a rake or broom in my car, I might have attempted a try at cleaning it up a little myself but doing it one-handed might have been a bigger challenge than I was envisioning. So instead of walking the entire labyrinth, I kind of wandered, meditatively, of course, around the site, sitting on the edge of the low wall that surrounds the labyrinth, taking in the wind and the spitting water from the sky (it wasn’t really raining!), and just breathing in the peace and quietness of the area. Listening to the wind in the trees. Feeling my fingers get chilled.
Ahhhhh. I could live here forever.
If it wasn’t so cold and wet 😀
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I had walked my first labyrinth maybe ten years ago or so, but what I didn’t know at the time was that labyrinths are literally everywhere. There’s even an online resource to help you find them. Check here to see if there’s one near you. (If you’re near Vancouver, WA, any time soon, the one I walked above is listed.)
A couple of years ago, I wrote about a labyrinth that’s located out in the desert east of the little town of Quartzsite, Arizona. It was conceived, designed and built by Ella, who was helped out (a little bit) by some volunteers who brought a rock or two to define the walking path. The labyrinth is still there and listed in the directory; although I don’t know the exact coordinates, here’s a Google Earth shot of the general location:
For more information on labyrinths:
I never knew about the labyrinth! Very cool! Did you find your hat to stay warm?
The blowing tree and sounds reminds me of my neighborhood now.
Cold and wet, hee hee
This was a cool post Lois! Here is to the New Year, one of health for you so you can get our of those darn doctor offices!
Lots of Love
Hi Debbie! I haven’t been to my storage unit to look for the hat but I know it’s buried underneath the stuff I brought up from Vegas in August after I sold Li’l Homey. Since I don’t have two good hands to look through stuff, pulling down crates, etc., I know won’t be looking for it this season 🙂 That’s all I need to do, fall again! Ack!
I love walking labyrinths – so calming and peaceful. This one in Vancouver is especially nice because of its location down in that hollow. It feels like you’re a long ways away from any civilization.
Happy New Year to you and Denny. Big hugs!
The picture is mesmerizing . I could live there.
My favorite sound is wind through the trees. I will be revisiting what you captured on the video. Thanks.
Hi Susan! Thank you for the kind words… I know I could live there, too 😀
I’m so amped it’s still there! That was so much fun to do, and fun to hang out with you, Lois. Xox
Mareena (aka Ella Cambia)
Hi Mareena! So nice to hear from you!! I won’t be making it down there to the desert this year but I know there are some who will make sure it’s still there. What a great thing you created for the desert – and for all of us who have experienced the Quartzsite labyrinth. I hope you are well and your kitties (Jack Sparrow and I can’t remember the other beautiful one’s name) are still adventuring.
Till we meet again, my friend!
Happy New Year and big hugs to you!
Hi Lois, I remember you posting about the labyrinths a while ago. I checked for some nearby me and there are loads (hundreds). One, just happens to be about 2 blocks from where I work downtown at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Thank Lois. Stay warm, stay cool (you know what I mean), and keep your feet on solid ground. I know what you mean about being cautious about where we place our feet. I am on vacation this week with thoughts of retirement dancing in my head (4 more years) 🙂 Also, thanks for the video . . . awesome as usual.
Hi Nancy, I’m always amazed at where labyrinths are located. I know a woman who has a portable labyrinth and sets it up anywhere there’s a large floor space, like a meeting room or other get-together place. Makes it nice for those of us who don’t live where it’s sunny all the time. The wind was gusting so cool through the trees – I’m not sure the effect is captured well but maybe you can get the idea of how it was 😀
Enjoy your vacation and dreams of retirement! Happy New Year to you! Hugs and love…