Woke up Tuesday morning to …a world covered in snow! Look up towards the NE direction, to see the mountain we came to see and feel – but just see more snow falling and … falling.
And it’s April…? Snow in April? as in April showers? Buddha’s Birthday celebrated at temples in Japan… If it’s Tuesday here, it’s the 8th of April there, an auspicious day celebrated with Flowers Festival…
Instead, there’s snow falling all around. Despite the grey overcast sky, each snow fall is so white and bright … there’s a silver sheen to the world outside the window. I was soooo looking forward to seeing the white mountain BUT not even a glimpse of Mt. Shasta, to me, Mt. Fuji of California – it’s snowing so much, the visibility beyond the immediate skyline is near-zero. Yet being right at Shasta & Shastina’s feet, in the town of Mt. Shasta, I can feel the duo’s majestic presence …you can feel the volcanic vibe in the air as you feel more energy stir within you.
Drove in last night from the Bay Area and plan to be back Wednesday night for the bright and early Thursday morning class…it’s about a 5-hour drive each way so actually I am looking for someone who can sub-teach my class as I lose my confidence to get back in time. Thank goodness, my dearest mentor and friend yogini offered to cover responding to my SOS plea so I am finally able to relax. When my car slid at a stop sign driving in the snow, my alarmed planner-mind was full of worries on how the h—k I was going to drive back in time …worried about getting chains, the condition of the car tires, the breaks, the road …so much to think about instead of appreciating the wonder all around and marveling at the novelty of this out-of-season snow … For me, snow meetup, only a second time this season – February snow in Tokyo and now April snow up in Mt Shasta.
A grocery clerk at the local grocery store – Berryvale grocery store(linked their blog since the recipes are nice to try – their deli’s veggie wrap is so yummy I am going to try to recreate it at home with some improv) – says they are bracing for a storm this afternoon and shared a weather forecast with me – so ~ my mind goes white just like it’s full of snow pack – then goes into overdrive alarm mode – anxiety over possible power outage, need for candles then, plus matches …snow shovel – it’s like an adrenaline shot as we walk in snow to get these emergency supplies – making mental checklist. Then … another realization hits – There’s not much more you can do outdoors when you have a snow storm (original plans to hike to this water fall is … cancelled!), is there? When dealing with Mother Nature, We have no choice but to simply wait it out. How about – Ski? Well, apparently ski resort was closed due to lack of snow this winter season. Ironic. So of course looked up yoga and tried a new (maybe one and only) studio. Their community donation base class was very cozy and lovely because… out the window … ahhh, small town scene of snow falling. It’s magical to see snow fall in such abundance:) Overheard how this is the snow the locals have been waiting for since Christmas! Isn’t it funny that snow comes finally after Easter while all winter long they had waited for snow.
No one appears to realize this but it’s Buddha’s birthday. So rather than snow, it’s traditionally more about flowers and coming of spring, called Flowers Festival … So here, I was reminded how snow crystals look so much like flowers. And so does water crystals. The reason for our visit … the water drew us here.
More on water at this spiritual place world famous for its pure water…photos to follow… I love the delicious air here; breath comes to you with so much ease. Feeling so blessed to be able to practice yoga at the foot of this majestic mountain. Hope to share some photos going forth once I get back to the Bay Area – out of the snow storm… I LOVE snow … and we need it in California.
So just wanted to share that I am not a back-packing camping back-country kind of a girl even though some of my trips may give off that false impression – While I love nature, I don’t love roughing it too much …once went camping in Big Sur and decided that any place with no fresh water is not kind enough for me – I am after all a city-girl so this post shared by George Takei on FB had me laugh in empathy … it’s me on the return trip from Phantom Ranch, Grand Canyon… so grateful for angel friends who did not abandon me on the trail as I negotiated with my uncooperative body (I was so unused to having to eat so many protein bars and drink so much water – never want to see another protein bar in my life…) We made it though – by celebratory dinner time even! (this was after getting up at 4 am, fighting a stomach bug in the desert heat… and climbing and climbing …up) No, we did not get lost in nature – hardly. We had a map, clear directions and a trail right under our feet … just on and onward on the path we went… purposefully not lost, to return to the rim – to live. Thank goodness:)
Too funny:) Seemed like there were a lot of earthy souls in Mt. Shasta … a bit new-agey people at the hot spring but maybe that was my imagination and prejudices?
As for me? Holding up a sign “Happy NOT Hippy” – a bit in awe of this tatoo clad samurai looking guy who stepped into COOOLLLLDDD freezing icy water … Seriously wondered if he was an Eskimo in origin… I thought my heart was going to stop with just the hands wading in the super icy spring water…teeth chattering and shivers up my spine in my down jacket…SO cold after a hot HOT bath – but he steps in looking serene and naked (disclaimer – a total stranger – I did not look – really – too embarrassed so looked away – REALLY)…I cringe at the touch of the icy water and feel the goose bumps spreading – it’s COLD, isn’t it? Feeling delicate compared to someone who just steps right into this frigid H2O – anyway – the water maybe PURE but FREEZING – I am now AWAKE! Fully AWAKE:)