Our Best Discovery of 2010

"Where is our comfort but in the free, uninvolved, finally mysterious beauty and grace of this world that we did not make, that has no price? Where is our sanity but there? Where is our pleasure but in working and resting kindly in the presence of this world?"

-Wendell Berry

One unique aspect of the geography of San Diego that I've noticed and begun to love is all of the canyons throughout parts of the city. Growing up just an hour north of here I'm familiar with much of the landscape, but these canyons are new to me. In much of the city it seems like just about every inch of space is used for humans. Even if it's "green space" it's for the use of people, featuring neatly groomed non-native plants and grass needing tons of water; water that we import from hundreds of miles away. Green space is artificial and safe. But then there are these useless canyons that seem to be inconveniently right in the middle of everything. In most parts of the city they seem to be left undeveloped, raising property value and nourishing my soul whenever I see them.

However, Pamela and I live in the most densely populated neighborhood in San Diego which also has the least "green space". Here many of the banks are paved with cement to allow streets and houses to be built alonside them, and grungy apartments sit at the bottom of the canyons. Pamela and I both long to encounter nature so we often go on outings on the weekends to hike. When we don't have the time or will to drive somewhere, it can be tiring to not be able to escape. Then, back in January, on a walk in our neighborhood we discovered a trail that wound straight through the middle of an undeveloped canyon right by our house. We were astonished that we hadn't found it sooner and that it wasn't riddled with trash. Pamela immediately declared it to be our "best discovery of January". When we reached the end of the trail and discovered an additonal little path that led down to a small stream completely surrounded by lush trees and bushes, she upped the classification to the "best discovery of 2010." Easily.

The trail isn't long, but it's a sanctuary for us. On our walks we find respite from the noise, listen to the birds, watch for rabbits, and pay attention to the native plants. There are so many wildflowers still blooming. We pick sage to cook with, and yesterday I'm nearly certain I found fennel as well.

Fennel?