OK, this is not to say I’m not happy for you if you have found your own paradise. But I guess that’s just it, isn’t it? Paradise is subjective. It’s not even necessarily a locale. It is most definitely also a state of mind. But for today’s discussion 
I will confine (what a sad little word) my ponderings and diatribe to the physical geography of a place I am uber happy to call home.
View of Garner Valley from trail
You see, I live in the region of the San Jacinto mountains…we have many mountains in this range but a towering challenging peak that is a Subway sandwich short of 11,000 feet. We have world class rock climbing and those same rocks bless those of us lucky enough to live under them with dramatic light changes and shadows. How does a sunset soften rock? Anyways, this was about paradise, wasn’t it? OK, back on task!
Yucca...not Yuck-a!
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. John Muir
I went hiking in Garner Valley with my friend Gretchen this week. This is the very same valley that drew me away from the powerful lure of the Pacific ocean and brought me to a sincere appreciation of mountain vistas and, more importantly, eco-diversity. I am no stranger to diversity in terrain.
What is that? I'd liken it to lichen 
I’m forever thankful for what I learned and embraced in a Human Ecology course years ago…where I also became an official twitcher. I’m also a Twitterer (or a Twit! as some might say) but a twitcher is an affectionate term (I hope…) applied to birders by the Brits. I even gawk at rocks.
But it is in the ecosystem transition zone of Garner Valley that I “gave it all up” and threw caution to the wind (I’m trying to retrieve some of said caution now) and packed up and moved here with my honey. Put it this way…in only a seven mile round trip hike, we first meandered through oak groves shading new spring grasses alongside a gurgling stream (yes, it gurgled, not babbled), then went through rocky terrain of yuccas and cactus and sage scrub, not to mention myriad delicate spring wildflowers; we peaked at the junction of the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) and then back down the desert side of the mountains to a place called Cedar Springs, where, wouldn’t you know it, there were towering majestic cedars stingily hoarding and evidently benefiting from a remote trickling stream. Yes, this one trickled. Leave me alone-lol. Amazingly, though the sky was a piercing blue and the sun shone warmly on us the entire time, there were still stubborn snow patches feeding the soil on a life-giving drip system.
I am in awe of nature and it’s abundance and it’s diversity. And she shares her gifts; so generous is she. I am also filled up with gratitude every time I squeeze in the luxury of a hike. Yes, it can be dirty, tiring, hot, strenuous, achey, blistery, etc…but, I guess the rewards silence any protests my body may try to lodge. Complaint desk closed!
A wild mushroom in the stream
So you see, I’m living in and enjoying paradise as well as sharing it with people who also “get it” and love it. Paradise, yes? Here endeth the discussion. Thanks for listening and may you all find and enjoy your own personal paradises (wow! that’s a word!). Bliss you.
(All photos by G. Stark unless of her! lol)
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I love hiking in the San Jacinto mountains/Angeles national forest. I went to summer camp up near Idyllwild when I was younger. My dad still hikes San Gorgonio all the time (although I think they had closed it for awhile). Ah it is great posts like this that make me miss California and wonder what in tarnation I am doing in Texas. Yes, I invoked the word tarnation, one of the greatest nations in the world you know.
Great stuff G!!
Hey Michael! Thanks so much for your lively and mirthful comment
I’m a relatively new hiker, but have always loved the outdoors. It’s a sacrilege to live in California and NOT get out there. I’d love to hike San G. What ARE you doing in Texas? haha Kidding 
Cheers to you and many more hiking adventures!
Hey G,
The lifestyle I am now accustomed to, far out-weights the lure of becoming mega- rich. I consider myself rich already, just because of the gorgeous spot I live in. Not that I would turn down the mega bucks if it was offered to me.. haha.
Another splendid post. And the way you describe the scenery and the hiking trails, really does make one want to drop everything and jump on a plane to the West Coast of the USA.
You see, I too am an avid outdoors person and be it, mountain biking, hiking or picnicing, the ourdoors is for me. I live in an area in South Africa that is sooooo amazing and beautiful. Away from the hub-bub of commercial cities (Not that a bustling metropolitan is too far away). I was asked this week, if would consider moving back to the big city, if the perfect job opportunity came along.. and my answer was an emphatic NO.. without hesitation too
Upon your travels, maybe just maybe, you will find your way to MY paradise and see just what I find so alluring to it.
Happy hiking and exploring.
P.S – We too have the gurgling, trickling or often raging streams
Ha! That’s the idea…motivate people to action
Thanks so much for your generous comments! And as for staying in a natural paradise…you ARE mega-rich, and I’m glad you realize it. I have heard many times about the spectacular natural beauty of S.A. Enjoy it for me, for now! 
Cheers
What a lovely, grateful post on your Thanksgiving Day! So glad you're living in your paradise! Doesn't it feel grand to find your place in the world?
Hugs and butterflies,
~T~
Hi sweet fluttering one! So glad you stopped by to visit my paradise
It feels grand to appreciate the unique qualities and offerings of this region, yes…and I stay open to experiencing (and living in) many different locales in my lifetime. I hope I get the opportunity to savor muuch variety! 
Thank you for your benevolent butterflies xoxo G