Natural Guidance

The picture at left shows plants interacting creatively and with a true ability to adapt.

When you feel a need for guidance, look to nature for the best messages.

Plants naturally find the right position, and grow into the shapes that reflect the energy of their chosen spots.  They arrange themselves in patterns that show natural truth, of strength, interdependence, dominance, or adaptation.

Each one of these truths has a time and a place in your life.  There are moments when standing tall is the best truth, and other times when blending in to the moment makes a lot more sense. 



Sometimes independent action is the only way.  Other times, asking for help will bring about a much better result.  No two situations, places, or people are the same.  Take the time to examine what's really happening for YOU in each moment or situation, what's best for all, and listen to what comes to you.

As you go through today, listen to the messages of nature, and know that there is great peace in the movements of life.

All the best,

Betty

Get in touch with me today!

 

About Betty:

I have spent over forty years in the back country of Big Sur, gathering experience that I would love to share with you.

 

My service orientation drives my successful food distribution business, and is key in the high quality of my fashion items, known for their originality and quality.  

I have served on various boards and community organizations for many years, including the school board that established an independent school district in this are.  I currently serve on the Executive Committee of the Planning Process for the California Coastal Trail, Big Sur section.  

 

In June of 2015 I will join the Big Sur Multi Agency Advisory Council as local representative. 

 

I am the founder of the Monterey and Big Sur Visionary Life Network.

Elemental Energy in Big Sur

The jasmine at left is growing on the west side of my house, and when it blooms the whole yard is filled with a fragrance of heaven. 

It is huge and covers the entire wall with its vigorous enthusiasm, and joyous expression of beauty.

What a great example of the power of cheerful energy it is, twining over itself into ropes, becoming so energetic that it needs to be cut back vigorously each year.

Nature in Big Sur has a way of taking over and going beyond the boundaries people thought would be happening.  It's just part of the terrain, with its steep inclines, hidden valleys, and isolated peaks.  Nothing here is ordinary in any way.

The forces of earth, fire, water, and wind move on a huge scale.  It's not too far-fetched to say that humans are lie an afterthought, here.

We do have the power to think, and interpret, and feel the forces, and Big Sur has inspired many types of poetry and writing.

My experience here has been a catalyst and inspiration for my new book, soon to be published.  It's called "Prevail: Seven Keys to Create A Personal Victory".  It's about taking what there is, and making out of it what you can.  Much as pioneers have always done, I used this point of view to make my life here in Mill Creek, and the book tells about the interior mental and emotional knwoledge that I have gained by my experiences.

You can read about my feeling for Spirit in Big Sur here:

The Voice of Nature Speaks to Your Spirit

Come and visit!

Welcome video

 

All the best,

Betty

About Betty:

I have spent over forty years in the back country of Big Sur, gathering experience that I would love to share with you.

My service orientation drives my successful food distrubution business, and is key in the high quality of my fashion items, known for their originality and quality.  

I have served on various boards and community organizations for many years, including the school board that esatblished an independent school district in this are.  I currently serve on the Executive Committee of the Planning Process for the California Coastal Trail, Big Sur section.  In June of 2015 I will join the Big Sur Multi Agency Advisory Council as local representative. 

I am the founder of the Monterey and Big Sur Visionary Life Network.

 

Redwood Forest in Mill Creek

Looking to the west from the ranch house, the tops of a large group of redwoods are visible.
The lower elevations of Mill Creek
contain many of these huge and wonderful trees.

During the last thirty years, the area where redwoods grow has expanded up the slope, much closer to the main pasture area.

Deep in the forest area, a silence of the ages is so thick that it fills the area with a feeling that silence would be better than talking.

 The fragrance of the trees has a fresh and gentle feeling, while the sheer size of the trees makes a person feel very small, indeed.

The effects of fire on the landscape are profound.  Many of the old oak and madrone trees are cracking and falling, years after the large fire of 2009.  Some of the redwoods were killed by the fire at lower elevations.  Some were damaged but now have new growth.

The continued drought also has a visible impact on the environment, with many areas of the land very stressed.  There were late rains which have given new life to the grasses.  In some places, wildflowers have bloomed vigorously, their vibrant colors making a refreshing display.

The birds have arrived in great numbers.  At dawn, birdsong fills the air.  After dark, the calls of turkeys pipe out as they find mates for the spring season.  On warm nights, frogs may be heard.

It's a great time of year to get out and be in nature.

My mission is to support you in having a wilderness experience that you will always treasure.

Let's get started!  Get in touch with me today at info@bettyofbigsur.com

About Betty:

I have spent over forty years in the back country of Big Sur, gathering experience that I would love to share with you.

My service orientation drives my successful food distrubution business, and is key in the high quality of my fashion items, known for their originality and quality. 

I am the founder of Monterey and Big Sur Visionary Life Network. 

I have served on various boards and community organizations for many years, including the school board that established an independent school district in this are.  I currently serve on the Executive Committee of the Planning Process for the California Coastal Trail, Big Sur section.  In June of 2015 I will join the Big Sur Multi Agency Advisory Council as local representative.

All the best,

Betty

Beautiful Spring! Big Sur wakes up

Big Sur wakes up!  The picture at left is the white Banksia rose in my front yard, festooned with blooms training to the ground from the top of the arch.  this picture was taken during the "white flower" ment, when it seems that every flower blooming is white.

Whether it's apple, pear, apricot, quince, or plum,
this year the trees are loaded with flowers, promising a huge crop of fruit later on.  the avocado trees are also making blossoms in profusion.

Lizards and salamanders are crawling to new positions, and once or twice the sounds of frogs have pointed out that spring is really here.

The birds are beginning to arrive.  At night the owls are quite vocal as they assert their territories and conduct mating rituals.  As the owls slowly fade out in the dawn, the doves call to one another.  Then, one by one, other birds begin their songs.

This is the opening of the "tapestry of song".  Within weeks, many types of birds will arrive and begin nesting.
This is the overlap of the northern and southern migration routes, so in nesting season the many songs converge and rebound off one another early and late in the day.

Flocks of small finches, robins, colored canaries, and many others join the woodpeckers and the jays.  The woodpeckers have already been busy for some time, rat-tat-tat-ing away at the acorns they have stored in the trunks of trees, as they sprout and become prime food.

There is already a pair of wood ducks on the pond, who glide away each morning when I walk by.
They have a nest, and I am pretty sure I know where it is, but I don't let on.

It's a great time to visit the back country.  Come on out and get some spiritual nourishment!

Get in touch with me about planning your time in nature.  Cal me at (831)667-2314 to schedule a time to plan your inspiring and refreshing time for renewal.

I'd love to get together and make new stuff happen!

Have a lovely day,

Betty

About Betty:

I have spent over forty years in the back country of Big Sur, gathering experience that I would love to share with you.

My service orientation drives my successful food distrubution business, and is key in the high quality of my fashion items, known for their originality and quality.  

I have served on various boards and community organizations for many years, including the school board that esatblished an independent school district in this are.  I currently serve on the Executive Committee of the Planning Process for the California Coastal Trail, Big Sur section.  In June of 2015 I will join the Big Sur Multi Agency Advisory Council as local representative.

Mill Creek: The Big Picture

Here is the view of Mill Creek from one of the pullouts on Nacimiento Road.

This watershed is home to a large creek, fed by many small tributaries.
A popular hiking trail leads from the bottom of the canyon for several miles.

The road is a long and winding one, as the Beatles song described.  For me, it is the road home, which I have driven thousands of times, and is so familiar.

The rocks hold mysteries, as the road crosses an important geological interface between Franciscan and Laurentian formations.  (I'm not a geologist, but a friend explained this to me in great detail.)  what it means for the observer is that there are stripes of limestone and formations that stimulate the imagination.  The sides of the road are decorated with wild flowers.  The rains this year have give me a sense of expectation that a good wildflower display will appear. 

In this photo, the ridge on the right hides from view the place where Big Sur Retreat Camp is located, on the flat pasture ground, just above the ranch house.

The difference between the southern and northern exposures is profound.  On the left, the southern exposure, you see how the land is steep, and dominated by scrub brush, rocks, and thin grass.  This is because of the heat of summer, keeping plant growth in check.

On the right, the northern slope, trees grow huge and the shade of green is deep because of the density of leaf growth.  the various gray trunks are those which were burned in the fire several years ago.  Many of these trees were killed, but not all.  Some are putting out fresh growth at the base.

 It is wonderful to see green on the hills this year.  I hope to enjoy the company of visitors, and to be able to share this treasure of Nature.

Get in touch with me to find out how to get out into the back country in comfort and style, and have an amazing experience in Mill Creek!

Have a lovely day,
Betty

Click here to visit Big Sur Retreat Camp by video!

Visit my web site for more information!

I have spent over forty years in the back country of Big Sur, gathering experience that I would love to share with you.

My service orientation drives my successful food distribution business, and is key in the high quality of my hand made fashion items, known for their originality and quality.  

I have served on various boards and community organizations for many years, including the school board that established an independent school district in this area.
I recently founded Big Sur Visionary Life Network, a forum and support group for local creative and visionary people to gather and collaborate.  You can learn more about it here:

Monterey and Big Sur Visionary Life Network

I currently serve on the Executive Committee of the Planning Process for the California Coastal Trail, Big Sur section.

In June of 2015 I will join the Big Sur Multi Agency Advisory Council as local representative.

Mountain Magnetism

Driving out the other day, before dawn, I came up on this vista and felt so fortunate to see it.
With all the soft colors and the movement of the fog through the canyons, the scene was full of softness and I felt a sense of wonder.  I knew it would be a great day.  Big Sur has a way of bringing things to visible form, and giving silent messages of Grace.

The magnetic feeling of the love of Nature is unmistakable.  Recent rains have brought out the greens and new shoots are forming.  Some of the older trees are breaking and falling.  Change is in the air.

Plans for new activities and ways to share this magnificent treasure are appearing.  What a great time of year!

If you are in the area, and would like to join a new meetup, check out this link:
Big-Sur-Visionary-Life-Network

This is a monthly event on the fourth Tuesday of every month, from 3 to 7 PM, at the Grange Hall in big Sur.  It's a chance to hang out and share ideas, create support for one another in our creative and visionary lives.  Hope to see you there!

Best wishes for your magnetic and dynamic enjoyment of your day,
Betty

Welcome to Big Sur! YouTube welcome video

About Betty:

I have spent over forty years in the back country of Big Sur, gathering experience that I would love to share with you.

My service orientation drives my successful food distrubution business, and is key in the high quality of my fashion items, known for their originality and quality.  

I have served on various boards and community organizations for many years, including the school board that esatblished an independent school district in this are.  I currently serve on the Executive Committee of the Planning Process for the California Coastal Trail, Big Sur section.  In June of 2015 I will join the Big Sur Multi Agency Advisory Council as local representative.

Feel the Bridge of Spirit and Connection

The span at left is at Pitkins Curve, just north of Limekiln Creek.  I took the photo on the last day of the bypass before the bridge was opened. 

It's a special place to me, since my son Hart worked on the bridge for a number of months, building forms for the concrete that supports the main structure.

Before the bridge and its rock shed were made, rocks from the cliff sometimes fell on the road, on the narrow curve, and the road could be blocked for long periods of time.  Now, the driver goes over the elegant bridge and continues down Highway 1.

It's like that with the Bridge of Spirit.  When your own idea of what is happening is the only way you have to see life,  the curve is narrow, and unknown things such as rocks may block the way.  With a connection to your Spirit as your reference point, a larger way opens up and you are given the support which helps you to get where you are going with a far better chance of getting there smoothly.

So how to build the bridge of spirit?  How to connect with that level of support?  Just ask, and the first steps for you to take will appear in your mind.  You already know! Asking for help means asking for your own mind to open up.  Real answers are there, waiting for you.

Connect with another person in a positive way, and you have built a firm foundation.  Each person is a bridge to our universal spirit of unity.  Each moment of your life is a time to create further strengths, and to take bolder and bolder steps on the Bridge of Spirit.

Find connection and inspiration in Big Sur.  I'd love to be part of that!

Visit www.bettyofbigsur.com to learn more about ways to experience the great teachings of nature.

I'd love to help you plan the ideal retreat for your needs.

www.retreatcampchecklist.com will help us get started.  

Have a beautiful day,

Betty