Seasons in the Lakebed

Well, it's been a quiet week on the lakebed, on the edge of the city, my hometown. People say that Southern California doesn’t have seasons. But, if you watch carefully, you can see them here in the lakebed. This is one of my favorite places to be. Living in the city, it is hard to find a place to lose yourself in nature without actually leaving. But in those times when I need solitude, this is where I go. I find it to be almost as spiritual as going to church. I can commune with nature in a retreat surrounded by the city.

It’s a dry lakebed, very near the house, which locals use for walking, running, biking or horseback riding. Homes and horse properties line the perimeter of the upper trail. Smaller trails intertwine and connect this trail with the lower trail along the base of the lakebed. My dog Cinnamon and I walk here 3-4 times a week, mostly on days I’m not dancing.

Right now, the grasses and brush are drying out, but there are still trees that are newly blooming. In the fall, things will dry out completely. Then the winter rains come, and it is actually quite lush come springtime. There is quite a variance of plant life here, some areas in this small space are like the desert, some chaparral, some woodsy. Those of you from Minnesota, Canada or Ireland may not (at first) find much to see, but if you look more closely, there is beauty here, too.

There are gifts in the lakebed, too. The summer brings blackberries, which should be ready in just a few weeks; the fall, pomegranates; the winter brings oranges; and in the spring, sweet loquats. When can we walk in the lakebed to eat these pleasant treats?

Sights, smells, and sounds abound, as the lakebed is far from silent. Songs of the birds, cicadas, crickets and frogs blend together in a chorus. Smells here are fragrant, as scents of sage and other herbs are strong in the lakebed. Likewise, the smells of the flowers, and of course, the horses are not too distant when I visit. It is always different here, and varies even by time of day.

Cinnamon and I can walk the two and a half miles around the perimeter without seeing a soul, but sometimes we meet people we know, even if they are just kindred souls we recognize only from the lakebed. People here are friendly. Lakebed etiquette requires that passers-by be acknowledged with a smile and a greeting. Recently, James and I passed a strange man we had not seen before. He ignored us as he walked by, and James commented on how odd that was and how everyone at least says “hello” as we pass. I’d never really thought about it before, but I realized he is right. How refreshing in our busy world to note this experience as an odd occurrence. There are unwritten lakebed rules, don’t forget!

There are creatures here, too! Lots of rabbits and squirrels, skunks, possums and even coyotes frolic about. I hope I won’t stumble to find, the friendly snake lurking behind a bush or in the shrubbery. The smarter creatures generally stay away from the main trails, or maybe they are watching at me when I travel the trails at dusk… We sometimes meet coyotes in the evenings or mornings. In fact, we saw one today. But I was not quick enough with my camera, I do declare. Maybe there’s a bunny hiding beneath the underbrush? Maybe a hawk or a prowling raptor watching us from up on the high tree? Maybe a mouse or a squirrel is looking for a tidbit to eat on the lower trail? There are many creatures there, if you know where to look. Look carefully and you can see the rabbits just up the trail.

The lakebed is a bird-watcher’s haven as well. In the evenings, the birds and bats chatter to one another as they dive for insects. We’ve watched smaller birds band together to chase away ravens, owls and even hawks from their nests. My favorite is the egret, which looks like fine-bone china. I see them only on the very luckiest of days.

I have spent many happy hours here with James and Sean, or on my own with Cinnamon. There is time to talk, or just walk quietly. I often pray here. I find solace in the critters, the growing things, and the natural surrounding. I find my thoughts wander quite easily here. I feel so blessed to have access to this secret retreat where I can escape from work and the noises of everyday life. And I think it’s Cinnamon’s favorite place, too! Maybe this is Lara’s favorite Backyard Adventure escape? "And, that's the news from the lakebed, where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above-average."