Lighten Up and Live

It's summer in Big Sur, and things can get pretty full, with more to do than there is time to do it.

Highway 1 at this time of year is a challenge for me, as I go from my mountain home to Monterey and back once a week.  Going north is easy, very early in the morning with very little traffic, and the soft light of dawn showing the beauty of the hills, lighting the ocean, rolling back the fog.

going south in the afternoon, however, it's a different road altogether.  Long lines of cars wind in slow motion, or so it seems.   Occasionally someone even stops in the middle of the road to take a picture, oblivious of everyone else.

Recently a friend asked me if I get angry about conditions on the road, and here is what I said:

I can remember getting angry at times, and occasionally I do get annoyed.

But then I have to stop myself, and say, "You can pull over to avoid the person who is tailgating. You can just slow down, and enjoy this magnificent place." And most of all, I remember that I get to do every week what so many people save up all year to do, and for many, it's the only time they will ever see these amazing hills.

So I lighten up and live, and express my gratitude to all the wonderful forces of nature that I am so privileged to be a part of, as I live here.

And wherever I go, I make an effort to remember the same thing.  Slow down and live, lighten up and live.  Let things be okay, and they will.

Welcome video on YouTube

http://youtu.be/XmcVpeYVL3E/

Come and visit!

www.bettyofbigsur.com  My web site, where you will find information and updates about events and my work,

www.retreatcampchecklist.com,

a checklist about camping retreats, to let you know what is here, and let me know what you would like to have, and to do, in Big Sur!  Fun, quick, instant feedback!

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 esatblished an independent school district in this area.  I currently serve on the Executive Committee of the Planning Process for the California Coastal Trail, Big Sur section.  In June of 2015 I joined the Big Sur Multi Agency Advisory Council as local representative.  I am the founder of Big Sur Visionary Life network.

I am a member of the Professional Women's Network of Monterey, and a VIP member of the National Association of Professional Women. 

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.