Aloha

Aloha: “Aloha” both when greeting someone and also saying goodbye. But that is not to be taken literally. The real meaning of Aloha in Hawaiian is that of Love, Peace, and Compassion. What a beautiful greeting to people. Mother Nature said Aloha to me yesterday, a true greeting with warm sunshine on the face to brighten the mood, the day started at 50 degrees! amazing for March. The gentle Gorge winds on the back ( hahah pushing you uphill, gentle in the Gorge is 30mph). All the sweet sounds of nature from frogs singing a croak, the song birds chirping in the dry leaves and restling around, gentle babbling of trickling water. Little Maui a nice 5.5 round trip trek. I never said actually it was Hawaii, still in the Columbia River Gorge.

Late Winter through mid Spring if you want a better promise of sunshine, head East! Towards the high dessert of open plateaus, rocky volcanic terrain covered in new growth of upcoming green grass and blissful sight of colors popping up with an Aloha from Mother Nature. March 4, this time last year these trails had drifts of frozen snow in the trails and melted down muddy run off. Perfect time before the grass is tall and dry catching hiding ticks to hitch a ride or rattle snakes warming themselves on the rocks. I will avoid this area come May until next Winter.

Spring is full of new life and new colors. How the colors of Spring can enlighten the mood! The colors you encounter throughout your day can make you feel happy or sad, invigorate you or drain your vitality, and even affect your work habits. Throughout history, cultures spread over many different parts of the globe have attributed varying meanings to different colors. In China, blue is associated with immortality, while people in the Middle East view blue as a color of protection. There is also evidence that human beings respond to color in a very visceral way. Red excites us and inflames our passions. Too much red, however, can make us feel overstimulated and irritated. Pink tends to make people feel loved and protected but also can cause feelings of lethargy. Yellow represents joy or optimism and can energize you and help you think more clearly. Bright orange reduces depression and sadness. Blue and green are known to inspire peaceful feelings, and people are often able to concentrate better and work in rooms painted in soft blues and greens. The darker tones of both colors can make you feel serious and introspective.

Little Maui trail vivid with rich blue sky, fields covered with yellow, purple, white and green grasses. So Aloha, love peace and compassion find it all on the trail and let your senses open up to take it all in.