Watercolor Retreat
Drenching rain is forecast for the entire weekend, and will possibly flood our camp. So much for my hoped-for sunny weekend in California…
Camp Lotus is built within a tiny community on the south fork of the American River, quiet with birdsong, butterflies, and swirling river-flow. Gold rush country… the hills, now strewn with remnant boudlers from mining days, are lush velvety hues of green draped with sunlight. I don’t think my palette could replicate it.
I’m the only one at camp. A gift of solitude. I’m tired, but rather than nap, I take advantage of what might be the only dry part of the retreat. Making use of my sit-upon, I find a sandy spot amongst the wildflowers, and sit alone by the river, reading with an audience of curious pipevine swallowtails, jumpy-jittery robins, and a rat-a-tatting woodpecker high up in the trees. So far up, I cannot see him…
After an easy hour, maybe two, I wander back to camp to see if anyone else has arrived. There’s a lift in my step, a tendency to gaze skyward, closing my eyes to absorb something invisible. The sunlight warms my face. A weight seems lifted, one I didn’t know I was carrying. Washed by the river, the corners and crevices scrubbed clean and cleared away, making way within for something new.
It feels good. So very, very good.
2 Responses to “Watercolor Retreat”
You described the setting so beautifully. I can see it, hear it, smell it. Can’t wait to see your h2o version.
Thanks Cindy, it was such an amazing place. 🙂
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