Messages In the Sky

Messages In the Sky
            Across a river, dark shapes reflect at the water’s edge. In the far distance, centered on a tall tower, a city skyline stands out from a misty orange-yellow orb, glowing like the heart of the city. Rising above the luminous center, gray and white clouds intermix until they clear at the top to a lovely blue. It is the moment of enchantment when day becomes evening, when dark shadows intermingle with bright blue sky.
            My son was sharing a video shot from a skyscraper looking across the Thames before he heard that the Queen had passed away.
            “It’s like the London sky is paying tribute,” I said. One needn’t be a fan of the monarchy to be moved by Elizabeth’s passing.
            Perhaps we interpret nature’s imagery in cloud patterns and shades of light to reflect our own state of mind, but I felt magically uplifted as I looked at that horizon.
            Nature offers abundant sensory experiences, including an ever-changing sky. Thick fog, clear vibrant blue, foreboding dark clouds, or puffs of white rising high above, each has a unique appeal and creates its own mood.
            As noted in last week’s Insights post, the World Walks section of HikingAutism is a way to vicariously experience walks shared from beyond the Northern California hikes I write about. On my recent visit to England, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself experiencing another of the World Walks my brother shared in the past. This time we walked in the lovely forest at Bacton Wood, with a break in the trees opening to a grand blue sky with white puffy clouds rising above a row of trees in the distance.
            I often feel that nature is communicating in some way, whether it’s a raven talking from a nearby tree, leaves scuffling across a path in the wind, or fog blowing past in thick waves. May we all take the time to stop and absorb what the elements around us are saying, even if it is not translatable to words.
            This week’s HikingAutism hike from the archives is a World Walks share from England, Bacton Wood, a lovely forest area in Norfolk with many trails to choose from.
 
This week’s Hike Notes from the Archives:
(Original World Walks): Bacton Wood (from England)
 
            Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes and photo galleries via the main Hikes page or the Hike Search by Area (was Quick View Hike List) page. Click World Walks to see or share favorite walks from readers! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
            Check the Home page for the broader background story. Please feel free to share, and follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism