Solstice in Paradise
We spent the solstice in Paradise Park, surrounded by wildflowers and alpen glow, for the summer’s longest drink of sun.
For the solstice, we drove up to Timberline headed out on the Timberline Trail towards Paradise Park. After a few miles we descended into Zig Zag canyon and then climbed out again before heading right on the spur that leads up to Paradise Park.
alpine lilies, at long last
There were fairy meadows everywhere, and we got to see the alpine lilies that we were asked about on the Rogue River trail, now in full display
The trail gained elevation, winding its way up to Paradise Park, and we scampered along to find some prime real estate. Paradise Park is essentially an alpine meadow on the flank of Wy’east. It’s the first solo backpack I ever went on in 2012 and has a special place in my heart.
The meadow is on the west flank of the mountain, so the sunset is incredible and once the sun heads below the horizon, the mountain lights up in golden light. Catching it on the solstice felt particularly magical.
As we watched the sun go down and the sky light up in pinks, oranges, and blues, Shawn reminded me in a reverent whisper, “this happens every night.”
big aggie beneath alpen glow
Sunset looking south, Jefferson in the distance
alpen us
In the morning we packed up and headed down. We must have had other plans. It seems ridiculous now that we ever left and don’t just live there. Alas
On the ways down, we zagged through canyons…
Shawn, getting ready to zag
jefferson sitting atop the clouds on the way back to Timberline
… and back through more fairy meadows before meandering back to Timberline Lodge.
Paradise as a Christian concept was a place God gave to Adam and Eve on the contingency that they followed his meal plan.
But we all must know deep deep down, what has always been true, which is that paradise has always been our mother the earth, who has loved and taken care of us from the instant we were cells beginning to divide, since we were life itself. Thank you Wy’east. And thank you to the land, with its infinite gifts. As the days begin getting shorter, we sit in wonder and love, trying our best in our own ways to give back to this place that has birthed us.