A Walk in the Woods

 This morning I decided to take another path through Whispering Windz.  Starting out from the new country music venue, The Whispering 'W' Ranch, I decided to relax on one of the large rolled haybales that are provided as an excellent hangout place for friends, as well as a perfect venue-exterior vantage point to take in what might be happening at the ranch.  Today, though, I decided to turn around and take in the view behind me, and noticed the towering redwood grove.

I trekked over through the long grass seperating the two areas, awestruck at the sheer majesty of the redwoods, as the canopy they created stretched towards the heavens, craning my neck up as I attempted to take them all in.  Even the strength of their base trunks was inspiring, leaving me with a powerful perspective of how we humans interact with our world, even this virtual one.

The grove provides a number of ways to interact with it, including a number of walking paths, which are also travel-able on horseback (acquiring one of the horses from the ranch would suffice.)  There are a few spots that you can find, including a campfire, with sitting areas for singles and couples.  I decided to settle there for a bit.  While sitting there, low in the ferns and other natural plant-life, leaning your back against the trunks of the trees, the view straight up always leaves my jaw dropped, as you gaze up as if from deep inside a hole, as the tops of the redwoods reveal the Second Life sky above.

Even the detail at your feet can leave you speechless, with the detail put into the plant-life and terrains supporting you as you travel from place to place.  It leaves you feeling like you made an impact here in this virtual world, putting your own footprint in the dirt, stealing some of the fresh air pushing around the clouds overhead, running the palm of your hand over the bark of a tree, feeling the heat of the sun, and the roughness of the texture.  Of course, it's all virtual, but nevertheless, the time and effort it takes to create such landscaping brings a delight to all who encounter it.

Come see for yourself at Whispering Winds.  Start out at the Whispering 'W' Ranch and travel west.