I took a long afternoon walk in the rain today at Point Defiance Park
. Here in Tacoma there is a wonderful light drizzle all winter long, and if you want to walk anywhere, it is often in the rain. A bit of fog was just settling in, and the forest was quite dark, peaceful.I walked down to Owens beach, and walked along the shoreline. On my way up through the forest, I saw several deer, who seemed not at all concerned that I was there. I kept my distance, watching them browse and twitch their tails. They'd stop chewing and listen and then resume nibbling the huckleberry branches. At one point, I followed them along a little trail, and we walked along single file, stopping to breathe the air, to listen...marvelous teachers, they were.
At one point, I stood under a tall cedar, whose base and branches were covered in glistening little ferns. I stood under these to get out of the rain. Chicades signaled from the berry bushes, and big-leaf maple leaves tumbled down to the ground. Oh, the weight and yet the softness of rain, transforming the light, encouraging the fog to settle in.
I must say, getting out for a daily walk is so refreshing. I try to make it a part of every day - rain or shine.
