Mother’s Day at The Land of Medicine Buddha, Santa Cruz California

Mother’s Day 2012 was my idea of perfection!  I woke up to my smiling boys, thoughtful gifts and was handed a Mother’s Day agenda!  On it were my favorite meals, a hot bath, going for a hike and a massage!  Hmmm, who votes for Mother’s Day to come more than once a year?  I do!

Now usually when I hear the word hike my body reacts in a similar way to when I hear the word dentist. BUT I am attempting to get over this mental association I seem to have and this little hike was just the thing to help me get over it!

I was given the tip about this place from another photographer, Lynde Alvarez and I can’t thank her enough for suggesting this lovely place!  The Land of Medicine Buddha is located very close to us in Santa Cruz. There is so much you can do there from meditation, yoga, workshops and even staying there.

I knew as soon as I saw these flags blowing in the beautiful sunlight under a magnificent blue sky that this was a special place.

What I loved so much about the 8 verses loop trail was that every so often you would come across a sign, 8 times, hence the name.  Each sign showcased a Buddhist verse.  What I appreciated even more was that under the verse was an everyday explanation of it. Sometimes it is hard for me to understand Buddhist verses and the descriptions underneath were a fantastic way to really comprehend the verse and then also apply it to an everyday situation.

Throughout the hike there were offerings from people and also nature.

Me and my little Leprechaun near a bed of clover!

You know you’re in Santa Cruz when you see a Banana slug!!

Even though the trail was only a one mile loop, it certainly took us a long time as I kept stopping to photograph all the pretty flowers!  After 20 + years in NYC I am in nature heaven!  I know I know, you’d think I’d love hiking!

The deeper you looked, the more you saw…

 

We came upon a tree that had a mirror attached to it, not sure why, but Jax thought it was very interesting to see me and the camera through it.

At the end of the loop, after you have enjoyed the nature and have read some wonderful Buddhist verses, the path opens up to this.

Jax really enjoyed ringing the bell, its hard to tell but he was actually moving it back and forth.

When the hike was over our big guy was hungry so we gave him some yummy yogurt before we headed into the car. Jax is in a really cute phase right now were he loves to grab your shirt and drag you in for a snuggle. It’s adorable!

We hope you all enjoyed celebrating a day that I feel is special for everyone!! A day to honor the woman that brought you into this world or the mother of your children or the mother of a dog, bird, cat or fish- mothers are everywhere and thank goodness for that!

Greg and Jax thank you so much for making my 2nd mothers day so full of joy, happiness and peace!  Oh, and a little exercise too!