Into The Wild

Yesterday, our world expanded for a short while as we drove out of the city for a bush walk in the Dandenong Ranges. It’s the first time we’ve been away from home since the Corona crisis hit and it was an almost psychedelic experience being surrounded by wild nature again.

Sky fell asleep in the car on the way into the mountains. When we arrived, I stayed with her in the car while Nic followed Phoenix practicing new no training wheel bike skills. When Sky woke up, it was to the soft sound of rain on the car roof. I took her out of the car seat and placed her down on the moss. She looked up in awe at the towering gums, “Look Mama Trees”

We chose a trail in Sherbrooke Forest. As we headed into the trees, we stopped to look at the trail information board. Trapped behind the glass was a dead huntsman spider as big as my hand. I involuntarily shuddered, and Sky cried out, “Scary!” Behind us we heard the distinct laughing of kookaburras. I couldn’t help but feel they were laughing at us, “Welcome to the wild, pansies”

I felt like I had stepped back into prehistoric times surrounded by the profusion of huge ferns and vines. There was a delicious smell emanating from the dirt, A mixture of patchouli and beeswax. I breathed deeply. Overhead we could hear a screeching which at first Phoenix said was surely a Pterodactyl but later we discovered was a pair of cockatoos.

After about 20minutes Phoenix sat down and said he couldn’t go any farther.  It seemed that no coaxing would work so Nic and Sky went along the path and I stayed with Phoenix with the plan to meet back at the car after Phoenix had a little rest. Phoenix was uncomfortable and near tears. I held his hand trying to figure out what was bothering him. Suddenly his whole mood changed he got up and said, “Let’s go Mom”, and began running down the path. Revived and ready to continue the adventure.

We met Nic and Sky at a little waterfall surrounded by mist covered gumtrees. Nic commended Phoenix for his courage to continue and we enjoyed the lovely sound of the rushing water.

On the way home we found a little lake and stopped to watch the geese and ducks. An Oak tree had dropped hundreds of its little acorns and cups all over the ground. Phoenix and Sky collected the acorns filling their pockets with treasures.