“By awakening the Native American teachings, you come to the realization that the earth is not something simply that you build upon and walk upon and drive upon and take for granted. It is a living entity. It has consciousness.”

~ Edgar Cayce

There’s something about taking a hike to deep woods with little trace of mankind, where creek waters run clear over ancient stone.

Along the way, shells of golden-yellow mushrooms flare bright as summer sunshine, violet-blue flower spikes leap in a small woodland meadow, butterflies.

A tall scrolling plant graces the creek bed, both elegant and magical in its reach toward heaven. Patches of rich terra-cotta clay here, there.

Silver flakes of mica sparkle, sounds of water trickling, rushing, flowing, bringing coolness and clean scent to forest air. Deep-earthy-warm scent of leaf mold nearby.

Water, earth, sky connect here: peaceful, quiet except for birds. No traffic, no phones. Here: a place for owl, bear, panther, the wild things.

This comforts me immensely: there could be a lazy snake on those rocks, sunning. A hornet nest high in the trees, a pileated woodpecker at that standing dead tree. They, too, need their space, their place to call home.

I feel as honored guest, filled with reverence for this vista, as if I’d walked back 200, 300 years…or more. The soul feels at rest here — I find myself praying to all that is that we keep wildness in this world; that a subdivision, logging truck, or intrusion from mankind will never mar nature’s perfection —— wild ginseng, blueberry bushes, laurel. Tiny bright red berries dripping off a trailing vine.

Ginseng lies low, hidden. It is wise to hide I think, bending down, softly brushing fan-like leaves. There are those who would take, take, take every root, every trace. All I take is reverence and humility in this cathedral of green. To be in this world is a gift.

Running cedar creates lush green trails alongside varieties of moss and lichen. The heat of day turns to deep shadows in this leafy kingdom, a touch of lavender-pink sunset vignette through branches. It’s time to go, to leave the great mystery be, to let it stand in the heart’s awe.

How I needed that!

Later on, nursing blistered feet, I thanked those woods for nurturing spirit and heart, for filling my being. In losing those mystical wild places on this fragile Earth, we lose ourselves, and our awe.

• Saluda Tailgate Market is open from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Fridays at the city parking lot off Main Street.

• Saluda Community Land Trust’s “Walks in the Woods” are on the first and third Sundays each month. The next walk will be Sept. 2 to Grandma’s Mountain. Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot at 2 p.m. You can reach SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visitsaludasclt.org. Contact Chuck Hearon for hike information at 828-817-0364 or chearon@skyrunner.net.

• The final Top of the Grade concert at McCreery Park is Sound Investments from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 7.

The Charlie Ward Memorial Pig-Out is from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at McCreery Park. Charlie’s been gone 10 years, but his spirit remains in generosity and community of this free event.

• Saluda Sympathy goes to the family of Charles William Pearson III; and to the family of Elizabeth Lewis Parsons.

• Happy August Birthday to B.J. Kent, Linda Kaye Haynes, Paul Stoney, Jen Pace, Zack Pace, Don Mintz, Caroline Tindal, Nora Ward, Samantha Ward, Reeda Ward, Natalie Aabye, Verlie Murphy, Peter Eisenbrown, Coleman Bradley, Ryan Bradley, Libby Archer, Rodney Thompson, Cathy Jackson, Bill Jameson and Tayloe Francisco. 

Contact Bonnie at bbardos@gmail.com, 828-749-1153 or visit bonniebardosart.com.