When your body’s tired and your spirit’s weary, where do you go to seek renewal? Sometimes I look for peace in quiet meditation or prayer. Very often, I find solace among my family and friends. But sometimes I escape to my oasis, which is what I did this past weekend.
Have you ever been to an oasis? A real one, that is? When my husband took me hiking in Andreas Canyon several years ago, I saw the metaphor right away.
In the middle of a scrubby wasteland, lush greenery rises from the desert floor.
An outcropping of boulders and palm trees forms a steeple above the oasis entrance.
Rustling vegetation and a burbling wellspring sing a convocation: Come in, come in…everyone’s welcome.
Until I witnessed it firsthand, I never could have imagined such a place existed. Surely this must be some of what the Israelites experienced when they reached the Promised Land! An oasis is a peaceful place in which to reconnect with nature. It’s also a spiritual refuge, offering each visitor a private benediction.
ETA: My heart (and my prayers) goes out to the victims of the devastating cyclone in Myanmar.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures, and how you experienced that lovely place.
I need to go west someday.
I’d love to be your tour guide. 🙂
That’s one lovely spot. Glad you have such an oasis, Melodye. Mine can be anything from studying a beetle wandering on my patio or a wispy cloud in the sky or sniffing crabapple blossoms or watching a bird on the fence. The natural world soothes my spirit, and I know it’s the same for you.
Yes, we are alike that way. Well, maybe not about the beetles, but otherwise, YES. We are offered so many unopened gifts…I sometimes have to remind myself to claim them.
It’s beautiful! Hope you had a lovely time!
My oasis visit was so restorative, Lisa. I think you’d enjoy seeing it, too.
Happy Monday!
What an amazing, breathtaking place. It’s almost magical! I hope you get to return soon. 🙂
It *is* amazing. I’m in awe, whenever I visit.
Have you got a favorite place to go, when you find you need a respite from the world?
A lovely, dreamy place… thanks for the pictures.
Dreamy is a good word for it. It’s amazing that, in the middle of the harsh, hot desert, this cool and peaceful place exists.
Where do you go when you need an escape from the world?
Yes, it’s real — and very surreal. I was awestruck when I first encountered the phenomenon I’d only read about — in the Bible and in romantic stories.
Do you have a favorite getaway?
Oh wow, that place is absolutely beautiful, Melodye. I can see why you’d go there to recharge your batteries a bit.
As for where I go? My preference would be to head to the mountains. Or maybe just sitting on a beach at night, listening to the waves crash. More often than not though, it’s quiet time in my room, alone in my head. Just a little quiet contemplation/meditation can really help me recharge.
Someday you should go visit…it’s not so far from where you live, but it’s miles away from the cares of the world. Since you like to escape into natural habitats, I think you might like it quite a bit.
Oh I think I’d love it there. It definitely sounds like my kind of place. 🙂
not so random commenter
No I have never been to an oasis, but now I want to, that is beautiful!
Re: not so random commenter
I hope you find time for a visit sometime. I believe you would really like it. You’re close enough for a one- or two-day field trip, I think. The weather is perfect for hiking…or just sitting on a cool rock in a shady oasis. 🙂
Re: not so random commenter
It sounds very relaxing and cozy, my favorite thing is to find a beautiful place in nature and just chill and take it in. Where is this located? I am close enough for a weekend trip?
Re: not so random commenter
Yes, it’s definitely do-able over a weekend, or even for a day! It’s on the outskirts of Palm Springs (check the link to Andreas Canyons in the post). You’d probably want to do it sooner rather than later, as the weather starts getting super hot in the desert this time of year.
Murray Canyon’s also beautiful…right next to Andreas Canyon, a longer hike, and another oasis. Definitely, it sounds like it’d be right up your alley. If you go, let me know. 🙂
Re: not so random commenter
Thanks for the info hun, I will definitely try and check it out!
I’ve never been to a real life oasis. It looks pretty awesome. And if I was in the middle of a vast desert, I don’t think I’d ever want to leave the oasis. You know?
I was stunned by its beauty and the metaphoric significance — and I appreciate the metaphor behind your comment, too. I agree 100%! Yes, it’s difficult to leave, but it’s comforting to know that it’s always there for me, whenever I choose to go back.
What a lovely spot Melodye! Thanks for posting the photos, they are amazing!
Whenever I need my spirits lifted I go outside and sit on the porch in the sunshine, usually with Canoe stretched out on the bench beside me, close my eyes, and listen to the peepers and the geese on the beaver pond.
There is something about listening to the sounds of nature, along with a purring cat, that helps to make everything right with my world, if only for a little while.