Apparently, almost all of today’s redwood forest was clear-cut in a 40-year logging frenzy from 1883 to 1923. When the loggers left the Aptos Canyon, almost 100 years ago, the forest began to heal itself.

It was less than a week later, in the dry, hot weather of mid-August that nearly 12,000 lightning stroked over 72 hours and ignited hundreds of fires across California that have roared through wildland, burning over 1 million acres, destroying wildlife, hundreds of homes and prompted the evacuation of more than 100,000 people . Among the largest fires in Northern California are the SCU Lightning Complex Fire, the LNU Lightning Complex blaze, and the CZU Lightning Complex fire in Santa Cruz and San Mateo. And then the air quality has become dangerous to breath.

It was, and still is, devastating and a very humbling experience to watch the firefighters as they fight to put the fires down, and the understanding how fragile humans and animals are against a roaring wildfire.

The Forest of Nisene Marks is now closed until further notice, due to the fires.

According to CAL Fire web site, the fires have not burn down The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, but have other regions.

As our brave firefighters are still working to contain the fires, nature, like humans, is strong and adapts.

And just as the Forest of Nisene Marks has become a monument to forest regeneration, we will too regenerate and thrive again.

The year of 2020 has been giving us unexpected challenges, but also endless opportunities.

Stay safe.
Be Present.
Breathe.
Be Grateful.
Seize the moment.
Keep on growing and thriving.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Much Love and Gratitude,

Michelle

* PS, If any of you suffer from any kind of a phobia, like fear of heights, flights, closed spaces, dogs, dentist’s drill, needles, etc. please contact me, and I will help you overcome this faster than you think.