Kirsten Love is writing a memoir, “Little Girls,” about her daughters’ rare growth disorders. She’s on Substack @kirstenloveswriting and Instagram @ReadRunSew.
When our youngest child left for college, I was looking forward to plenty of hiking to manage my grief. I love the outdoors, and moving my body while surrounded by nature has proven to be the most effective anti-depressant for me. When the weather forecast showed over 100 degrees for the next two weeks, I was livid. Hiking in extreme heat is never a great idea. But without hiking, how would I survive my first weeks as an empty nester?
After sulking around the house for a few days, my husband and I decided to try a sunrise hike. Usually, I hiked after dropping the kids at school, and I’d never left for a hike in the dark.
Our favorite local trail, Santa Susana State Historic Park, is located in suburban Chatsworth, California, in the San Fernando Valley. The entrance to the park is a dirt lot the same size as the other modest lots in the neighborhood. My first impression: Pass. But beyond the nondescript entrance, the path leads into a tree tunnel. Within minutes, we arrived at a stunning vista, with dramatic rock formations and desert flora.
Even in darkness, the temperature was in the mid 70s, but without the blazing desert sun, it felt comfortable and cool. We trudged along with the singing of California Thrashers and Bushtits and our footsteps on dirt the only sounds.
What most intrigued me about hiking at dawn was the prospect of seeing wild animals. There is so much to love about hiking— trees, birdsong, wildflowers, waterfalls, streams— but my favorite thing is the animals. Before sunrise, I knew we wouldn’t see any sunbathing lizards, but I was hopeful we might see a snake. Dusk and dawn are allegedly the best times for snake sightings, but on this day, the snakes eluded me. As the only humans on the trail, we were seemingly the only living things in that vast landscape.
Then, the sandy path ahead shifted, and a piece of the trail seemed to separate. As my vision adjusted, I saw three coyotes scamper up a hill, then stop to survey us. This is why I hike! Coyotes, so often reviled by others, are beloved to me. I love dogs and, well… a dog is a dog is a dog.
Every hike leaves me calmer and happier than when I started, and this one was no exception. With more heat in the forecast, I anticipate many future sunrise hikes.
Gorgeous. I love that you set up the animals and then got the Coyotes!!! A dog is a dog is a dog! xo
Thanks for having me, Jen!