Van Gogh in Oregon

Growing up in New Hampshire, forests are a given. They are everywhere, covering the mountains and surrounding the towns. My parents still live in the house that we moved into when I was two years old, and their property is on the edge of, and in fact includes, some beautiful forest. I spent a lot of time during my childhood hiking in those woods, building forts and hiding out. Green is one of my favorite colors, I don't think it's a coincidence.

Those of us who grow up in New Hampshire think the fall foliage is beautiful, but we see it every year and usually end up having to rake the leaves a week or two later so we don't always feel the same enthusiasm as the leaf peepers who show up every fall. Having moved to the desert, let me just say that I will never take the beautiful greens of spring and summer or the golds and reds of the fall for granted ever again! The desert is beautiful in its own way, but it's hard to feel the same sense of connection to nature when the prevailing colors are gray and brown all year. We don't see much of that pale, electric green of new buds on the trees in the spring or the gorgeous deep green of a well cared for lawn and the bright colors of a blooming garden in the summer or the blinding golds and reds that blanket the countryside in the fall. In fact it seems irresponsible to me for anyone to try and recreate this in the desert, given the fact that water is a scarce resource and the blazing summer sun evaporates it in no time.

I have been saying to friends for a few years now that one of the things I miss most about New England is the color green, so I am really excited that my husband and I will be moving back to NH this summer. I can't wait to go hiking in the forest where I always get such a sense of calm and connection. The woods have always seemed alive to me, buzzing with energy, radiating growth and sustained life. In the wintertime, when the energy is much more gentle, there is still a feeling of resting and renewing. I don't get that same sense from the desert at all, even in the height of summer. Desert plants certainly deserve some respect due to their hardiness and fortitude through the harsh conditions, but it's just not the same for me.

My last trip into the forest was in Portland Oregon on Labor Day. I was visiting my friend Katie and she took me for a hike in Tryon Creek State Park. It was wonderful, my soul really needed it after being in the desert for so long. I took this picture there (click to enlarge):

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Then I saw a print of this painting by Vincent Van Gogh this morning on art.com, called Woods and Undergrowth (click to enlarge):

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They look to me like they could both be of the same place! Seeing the painting reminded me so much of the photograph which took me right back to what was a wonderful hike in a beautiful place, to cap off an amazing long weekend with my friend. Nice memories to start my Friday!