Winter

Dear Reader,
This is an honest record of a series of walks that began in the winter of 2010 and concluded in the winter of 2011. You are free to question why I did what I did, and you would be in good company. Anyone who knew at the time wondered as well, me included. What I hope is that by the time you complete the book, you will not only have the answer to your question but feel the spirit that moved me and use it to move yourself. The space you need is out there, no matter where "out there" is to you. Read first, and then... GO.

March

A pick-your-own orchard is not a formal garden. Visitors tend to take less care of things. I found more than one tree that suffered damage at the hands of eager pickers, or perhaps tree climbers. As well, some trees had certainly been brushed too often on the side by cars or tractor.

As I made my way up the hill, I saw a young tree with stunted growth. Its root knot was the same as others in the row, so it was the same age as its taller neighbors, but it had taken a beating by wind or vehicle, probably both, and now grew mostly parallel to the ground. Located at the end of the row, it had become the victim of the thousand U-turns taken here by the farmer or visitor.

Like the trees found in Joshua Tree National Park, many of which lay close to the ground unprotected by the wind, this dwarf apple tree was a survivor. Each of the trees surrounding it were upright and proud with outstretched limbs in all directions. This tree's single trunk looked like a bent arm just about grass high eventually reaching out to the sky with thin branches that resembled an open hand.

October

Sadly, it reminded me that October was the last month for apples and while I was sure I would pick and eat one during next month's visit, the trees were close to completing the circle. In a few weeks, while some of the remaining fruit would stay on the tree to spoil, rot, and ferment, the rest would drop and slowly return to the soil.

You could not calculate the number of calories that lay under the trees waiting to feed the wildlife that will wander in once all the human traffic wanders out. Even during the regular season, most animals found in and around an orchard will make regular visits to take advantage of the carbs, fiber, and simple sugars that an apple a day will provide.

Even birds will partake, and eventually, when the conditions are right, those sugars will turn to alcohol, and then the party begins. Yes, from woodchuck, to deer, to common crow, each of them can be impacted by the fermented apple.

Nice that nature offers winter with plenty of time to sleep it off.