Ghost Ranch and Abiquiu Lake Day Trippin

Sometimes a day trip is just what is needed to clear your head and reconnect even if the weather is a bit cloudy. So the cowboy, our four legged and I packed up a picnic and headed about an hours drive north from home. We landed in Abiquiu home of the Ghost Ranch, Georgia O'Keeffe land of inspiration and the lake.

Sheep grazing at Ghost Ranch. It was a windy, cloudy, misty day and these elements created a new way to experience the land. You can feel the inspiration circling in the winds and quickly understand the calling of generations of artists of all kinds, spiritual and creative folks who have walked this land.

The cowboy right at home at the corral and the four legged enjoyed the open space to run and sniff out the horses. The land, the mountains. the weather provided a peaceful magic to our day. Don't let the weather stop you from having an experience. If its safe to be out go exploring and see how different things can look with various kinds of light and mist.

Cerro Pedernal. locally called just Pedernal is a narrow mesa that inspired many artists, musicians, writers and was a central image in many of Georgia O'Keeffe paintings. Her ashes were scattered on its top.

Thankful for Tracks in the Snow

It snowed all night. It sparkled like fallen stars under the moon. This morning I woke up and noticed we had visitors over the night. Dog or coyote tracks on the deck but definitely the four legged kind of visitor.  The dogs usually follow a path from the front of the property where it tends to be more level. The coyotes come from below the ridge. So off went to follow the tracks in the fresh snow.

The sun was still coming up and the clouds were still low. The silent gifts of living on this sacred land are abundant and I am thankful in this moment.

We followed the tracks and it looks like three of them all about the same size went off the side of the deck. They seemed to lead down to the small arroyo so we continued to climb down below the house.

Up and down over the ridge rocks. The path seemed to be leading us to the lower arroyo at the base of the land. 

I was slower than my four legged companion. He sniffed the tracks, left his mark and was in a hurry to find the owners. I on the other hand stopped here and there to get lost in the big blue sky that was emerging from behind the cloudy morning light. 

Self care and inspirational sacred spaces

Some days you just need to get away from it all and get centered. I have a spot in each state that I have lived in that brings me back to center. Now home is New Mexico and the place is el Santuario de Chimayo. For years I vacationed in New Mexico and always this place was on the list to visit. I am now so honored to live just a short drive from this sacred northern mountain sanctuary. 

There is a creek that guides you to the scared space making the sensory experience complete with the sound of water as it dances over the rocks. This place has grown over the years yet it still maintains a simple spiritual energy. For me its not about the type of religious space but more about a place of authentic spiritual centering filled with love and hope by most who visit.

The flowers were blooming this trip and provided a softness around the adobe buildings, stone sculptures and rock niches that adorn the grounds. 

The one time trailer makeshift kitchen has become a quaint building offering indoor and outdoor seating. The fresh mountain air mingles with the smell of tamales, green chile corn and other native New Mexico favorites. As we savored the historical recipes and nourished the body we reflected on the how this place does feed the soul and is good medicine in many ways.

There is a long history attached to this place and I can't tell you when I first became drawn to it. I just know I have left burdens, prayers, petitions, and given thanks on the grounds over the years. For me most of New Mexico holds a strong energy. A positive feast for the spirit. Its like a homecoming, a calling to be here. If you want to see more about Chimayo and the sacred space you can visit the website here http://www.elsantuariodechimayo.us

 Many visit from near and far to leave a prayer or petition for healing and light a candle. I left a request for healing and direction one year and it has been answered. I often bring or create a milagro of sorts to give thanks as many do each time I visit. 

The visual representation of commitment, thanks giving, requests for healing, and remembrance of those that have gone before us are evident in many ways on the grounds. These mementos adorn the trees, rocks, nichos, and fences on the land. They add to the positive energy and overwhelming feeling of love you experience in this space. 

A beautiful mosaic of St. Francis lover of animals and nature blesses my beloved Quincy. St. Francis and his poetry, love of nature, and how we are interconnected speaks strongly to my spirit. 

Over the years the rock structures seem to have organically grown from the ground. There are many spaces to honor loved ones and offer petitions and prayers along the land represented by many images and different languages.

We give and push each day to reach goals and some days end up feeling somewhat empty. Remember to recharge your spirit, breathe in and out, and stop to just listen and feel the energy around you. This beloved will fill you up mind, body, and soul so that you can get up and go again. Take a moment to be present if not every day then find a place and plan the visit to your soul often.  Self care is the most important care you can do.

Monsoon Rains and Bee Rainboots

After experiencing thunder, lightening, cold breezes, and hail for an hour; we stepped out on the deck. The amazing smell of wet earth and ponderosa and piñon trees was intoxicating. Among the usual symphony of after rain sounds we could hear a familiar yet rarely heard sound. 

I quickly put on my favorite rain boots the "bee boots" to investigate. Off for an adventure in the mud we went.

The usually dry arroyo, creek bed, or seasonal creek as it is called was fiercely flowing giving off all those ions and awakening the senses. The beautiful red clay of the lower Rockies was creating my very own Willy Wonka chocolate river! (One of my fav movies)

It was exciting to see our usual paths for walks were well under water. There was evidence that there was a much higher flow earlier in the storm. Small trees, branches, and shrubs were over turned along with forest floor debris all making the journey through the once dry sandy rocky path. 

The precious gift of moving water and the ever present little girl that resides in me are a magical combination. I was flappy happy and giddy. Moving water is the only real medicine that can immediately release all of my anxiety and stress. For someone like me on the Autism spectrum my anxiety and stress are naturally high all the time. I am not able to quiet it. Meditation/prayers, the outdoors, making art, and select other things can calm it but nothing like moving water can cleanse me and set my spirit soaring. Immediately I am set free. 

Living on the mountain in a drought has been tough new experience. A dry well that I pray will be restored and water shortages in the state make for little to no time for me to get a water healing. So I couldn't help it. It was time to shed the bee boots and step in.