and to all a good night

Once a year, on winter solstice, Muir Woods stays open late for all kind of solstice-y activities: bonfires, candle-lit paths, singing, wreath-making.

photo courtesy of cleepa

We arrived toward the end of the celebration. The night was clear and cold and the earth was freshly-damp from morning rain. The only lights were these lovely luminarias, winding through enormous trees and alongside a full winter river. It turns out, the sound of rushing water sounds a lot louder in the dark.

We wandered through the trees, necks craned when punches of starry sky opened up high above us. Then we heard singing and kept walking. There were no lights, but we tucked into a circle around a chorus of voices, singing solstice songs in many-part harmony. The air smelled dark and wet and clean. Dark trees soared overhead. People were happy.

I hope you have wonderful holidays, and here’s hoping that we all enter the new year rested and thankful and ready for what’s ahead. See you then, xo. 

Comments

[mm]

Visited Muir Woods for the first time just after Christmas. My kids are young and hated it! I, however, loved it.

Thanks for letting me know this event happens...will plan to see it w/o kids this year. :)