Landscapes and love

[peacetraveler22]

I often view natural landscapes as lovers of sorts. In such places, nostalgia sometimes arises, and it's easy to equate tides, vistas, and any terrain of nature to a past lover if you only open your mind and imagination. From the curves of the wheat blowing in the open fields, the delicate petals of flowers, to the strong and towering stature of forest trees and vast moutain ranges.

I suppose some people just past by such scenes and think, or feel, absolutely nothing. However, each time I'm in a natural landscape, my mind begins to wander, romantic visions arise and I'm carried off to some magical mental state, if only for a brief period of time. It is here that I momentarily believe in the notion of fairy tales. Of all the landscapes, I dislike the ocean and sea most. Violent, unsteady and often aggressive. The great unknown, the depths and darkness of which remain a mystery to most humans, incapable of ever being wholly experienced or felt. The behaviors of the tide, waves and rhythm often resemble a cocky, aggressive, alpha male. For the sea rushes to kiss the shore day after day, no matter how many times it's pushed away. An overall machismo type of behavior that I despise in men, and I guess natural landscapes also. For those who somehow find peace, comfort and happiness in the open waters, these photos are for you, taken during a trip to San Diego, California last summer.

1. All these photos were taken near Seal Beach, a well known stopping point in La Jolla, California. This is a hilly and picturesque beach community near San Diego. People even climb directly into the waters here and swim with the stinky seals. This marine life, along with dolphins, plays a major role in military operations and drills in the San Diego area. They are used for a multitude of military purposes, which I'll explain in a later post. Somehow it made me sad...

2. Everywhere there are hanging cliffs and rocky barriers to control the ocean tides. San Diego - it is absolutely one of my favorite cities in California and a dream destination for those who love sunny weather, as the climate here is warm all year round, with little rain. About this region, I will try to write some reports because I have a lot of old photos from the journey.



3. Ocean selfie, when I first bought my selfie stick, but I felt ridiculous and narcisistic carrying this thing around during travels so I stopped using it.



I’m most drawn to forests or mountains, filled with trees, peaceful sounds, and mysterious, even wild creatures. Birches, pines, redwoods -  mighty, legendary, strong - often sheltering you from the harsh elements or blinding light. They learn to bend and sway in the wind, the tempest of storms, and often bounce back. They continually shed layers and are reborn again. Sometimes bruised, damaged, broken - but still alive for years and years, always deeply attached to their roots. Just like my idea of a good man. :)) Of course, I realize mountains are also deadly at times, unstable, annihilating human life in an instant with avalanches, landslides or blizzards - but, it is not the way I have experienced them in my lifetime or travels. So, I'll continue walking through local forests, driving and hiking through mountain regions...waiting for magic to bite.

Starting tomorrow, there will be a lot of photos of mountains from Georgia. I hope you do not tire of them…and what is your favorite natural landscape?

Comments

[vitsky.livejournal.com]

Well, I also prefer forests and mountains, and quite indefferent to sea and ocean.

[creamy-mood.livejournal.com]

I absolutely LOVE seas and oceans, can watch its infinity for hours. I was born and spent my childhood near the sea, so that might partially explain my love for it. I do recognize the beauty of the mountains but could trade them all wothout a second thought for the endless universe of deep waters.

[pin-gwin.livejournal.com]

I remember the place, I like it. I like sea/ocean shore, it's moving place.

[romanklimenko.livejournal.com]

Speaking of love. There are times when you get used to something or someone that you cannot answer the simple question "Do you love it?" It's same as to ask - do you love your right hand? It's true about family, friends and even places.
I've got to a conclusion that I feel claustrophobic when traveling in the city that doesn't have a beach (river/sea/ocean).
Living in LA we take ocean shore for granted. But I agree with you - it's a treasure! We try to spend most of our summer weekends on a beach. Now with my new hobby/sport - windsurfing it'll be even closer to me :)

Waiting for your pictures. My parents just came from a trip to Georgia. Will be interesting to compare experiences

[elinelisky.livejournal.com]

I like places where forest comes to water, no matter, river, lake or ocean. Big trees and blue water under them... And I like a lot if there are wooded hills. Only not bare stones. ))

[moskitow.livejournal.com]

Lakes and big hills....I love Adirondack area.
I like the idea of big bodies of water(sea, ocean) but never lived near them so probably won't like it in the long run.
I need to go to California and see for myself what is it so beautiful there that people pay that much money for housing :))

[orangelass.livejournal.com]

I love these pics! And I love California's nature in general.
I'm fond of many natural landscapes (oceans, forests, mountains), so it's difficult to choose. One of the beautiful places I would suggest everyone visit is Mount Rainier.

[elena-88888.livejournal.com]

As for me, I hardly can make a choice...
Sometimes it can be mountains, sometimes - sea, forest, meadow, desert etc.
It depends on my mood, on the mood of the surrounding landscape because even sea can be peaceful and meadow can be frightful, as well as on weather...

[mybathroom.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the post, Shannon! Nice views!
I like forest, sea, mountains I never saw desert but I think I wouldn't like it.

[eltelfo.livejournal.com]

there are plenty of beautiful landscapes on this planet for any mood

[selfmade.livejournal.com]

I've been living in San Diego for about 2 years. The best time of my life.

[maadmike.livejournal.com]

I like the rivers views while you are swimming on a kayak through the magical corridors when trees and bushes sometimes completely close out the skies above, sometimes you go through the swamps with many dead trees protruding from dark waters and then you will get to the vast lake sceneries with the wind, huge waves, cries of gulls and villages far away...

[rise-man.livejournal.com]

Hello. :-)

Photos are nice!

Shannon, may i ask you about something ? Have you read one book - one storey USA... (little golden America). Authors: Ilff and Petrov.

Sorry, my English is awfull. I apologise

[metaller.livejournal.com]

When I saw first photo, not reading any further I can claim it was taken somewhere along route 1 California !

[vitsky.livejournal.com]

By the way, if you love forests, maybe you will enjoy a book of german forester Peter Wohlleben, "The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate":
https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Life-Trees-Communicate-Discoveries/dp/1771642483



The author describes social life of trees, considering it as a kind of "social network". Here is something more about this book:
https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/09/26/the-hidden-life-of-trees-peter-wohlleben/

[sergej-vl.livejournal.com]

Wonderful story and pictures.
Now I know that Shannon travels not only there where you can freeze your ears :)))

[anna-sollanna.livejournal.com]

> I often view natural landscapes as lovers of sorts.
I have the same feeling for sunsets.
> Of all the landscapes, I dislike the ocean and sea most.
And I love sea, and rivers and even tiny water bodies when a reflection can be caught!
My favorite natural landscape is a view from a kind of a hill, where nothing blocks your sight and where you can see both the sky and the landscape down the hill.