Nature is on our side
A Lifetime of Biophilia and Hortophilia Evidence
Oliver Sachs considered “Biophilia, the love of nature and living things an essential part of the human condition.” He also believed that Hortophilia, the desire to interact with, manage and tend nature, is embedded in our DNA. I’ve experienced it in my life and now have a new label and impetus for enjoying a scenic view and getting close to wildflowers.
- When my son was a toddler taking a walk around our small Naples island community was medicine for us both. He continuously stopped to look at bugs or flowers.
- Years later, he came home from school to announce that he was going out to look for spiders. Luckily, he never brought them in but especially loved studying suspended Argiope spiders and as a teen had a Rosey Haired Tarantula as a pet! Funny to think that hairy creature was calming but I witnessed the effect.
- Over the past few years, I’ve seen my partner come home harried from work and after spending an hour in his garden, emerge revived and relaxed.
- Every day I spend long hours in front of a monitor. Getting out into nature, fresh air, admiring a scenic view; just moving through and looking at the world is grounding and makes me feel human again.
Joshua Tree National Park
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A scenic view of the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve
I’ve been asked if the first lady, Ladybird Johnson promoted planting Poppies in California for her beautification programs. She worked in Texas but didn’t plant the Poppies in California. They were first noted in the 1700s and became the State Flower in 1903. Spanish sailors named them La Sabanilla de San Pasqual (The altar-cloth of St. Pascal) after a revered shepherd who tended his flocks far from any church and communed with God by kneeling in fields of wildflowers. I was inspired to kneel too!
We arrived late in the afternoon and the poppies were already starting to close. Another name for the California Poppy is Dormidera, or sleepy one because they close up at night. I’ve picked them in my backyard and even with the lights on, the blossoms start to twist shut before dusk.
Tips for the Reserve
If you go entering the official Reserve costs $10 per car and it covers 1800 acres of the Antelope Buttes about 15 miles west of Lancaster. It has over seven miles of trails including a paved section for wheelchair access. The flower fields are protected with signs warning visitors to stay on the marked trails or risk being fined. On our way out we saw a small, crestfallen group getting a ticket from a Park Ranger.
Carrizo Plain National Monument
Our trek continued northwest towards Coast Highway 101. The well-paved road made maneuvering along the twisting route easy. Vegetation became greener, perhaps nourished by moist ocean air sweeping into the valleys, and Oak trees dotted the hills. In between Atascadero and Santa Margarita, we came over a pass to an incredible view. Fields of low yellow flowers flanked both sides of the highway. We joined other drivers and parked to admire the scenic view.
From there we faced a long drive north along Highway 101 to San Francisco but we made it in time for dinner. The next morning we were blessed with a sunny glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. All of it was food for the soul.
I know it’s not possible for everyone to get out into rolling hills of flowers but even opening a window can be therapeutic. For more about the benefits of getting out in nature check out this book, suggested by Tripwellgal follower, Alice Louise Karrow. The Green Cure details how going outdoors and spending time in nature, from forest bathing to a walk in the park, may provide a simple and powerful way to improve your health and well-being. Click on the book cover to find it on Amazon or use this link:The Green Cure: How shinrin-yoku, earthing, going outside, or simply opening a window can heal us
(Yes, it’s an affiliate link which helps me keep the blog going and will not add to your purchase cost. Thank you in advance.)
Have you enjoyed a scenic view full of wildflowers? I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment and share.
I would have to agree that music and nature have more calming effect on the human mind than drugs! I absolutely love the picture of Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve, and I can only imagine how awesome it would feel to actually see them in person, with your own eyes. Spring is my favourite time of the year, the colourful flowers are really an amazing sight to see, and food for the soul!
Spring is one of my favorite seasons as well. Each has its allure but I love nature and the fall is a close second.
Your post is making me miss California so bad!! When I lived there, I used to love seeing the poppies; my parents would point them out to me as a child. I agree with you 100% that getting out into nature is restorative — it’s why I try to go hiking at least once every two months! It clears your head and helps with refocusing everything. Strangely enough, I don’t think I’ve ever been to Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve — will have to visit when I head back to the West Coast for my annual CA visit!
I completely concur on the whole therapeutic feel of the colorful flowers. I know how they brighten my mood up. And fields of them are just something else. Have been lucky to see a few in Asia and Europe and even now I cherish the memory of them. Enjoyed reading your son’s journey too
Thank you, Ami. It’s an incredible time of year to be out and about. Glad you enjoyed reading about my family experiences too.
Thanks, Elaine for the story and specific recommendations–and also for the reading recommendations. Pinned!
Thank you, Kristin and I appreciate the pin.
What fabulous recommendations! I like hiking but don’t love it, but whenever there are flowers, it’s a sure bet to get me on my way!
I feel the same but do love a good trail that’s gentle.
Wow, looks like you timed your travels perfectly to catch California’s wildflower explosion! If that doesn’t make anyone who sees it feel better, there’s something seriously wrong with them! 🙂
Thanks, Jane! We were very lucky. The blooms had already come and gone in southern California.
Wow, it looks like you timed your visit perfectly to catch California’s wildflower explosion. If that doesn’t feel good to anyone who sees it, there’s something wrong with them!
There was a time in my life when I was an Ohio Certified Nurseryman. Mom is a Master Gardener and the family farm has over 1,000 daffodils in bloom right now. I know that gardening and nature are the two things that really help her heal. There is a real power in getting back to nature. BTW, love the poppy shots. Gorgeous this year!
How cool that you have that background and the understanding of our natural world. I’m happy for your mom. 1k daffodils!!
I totally agree, getting outside really does work wonders for my mental health. I love green spaces but I feel especially calm next to water, the waves and reflections instantly make me feel better! I would love to see the super blooms, I’ll try to get a trip in next year to time it with the spring rains!
I love being close to big bodies of water too and always have in my adult life.
Elaine, I totally agree that the wildflowers have had great healing power. I’ve been on several hikes in the San Diego area, and I’ve been amazed at all the incredible and colorful wildflowers growing everywhere, even on mountaintops. I also visited Lake Elsinore to see the height of the poppy season there. I climbed to the top of a ridge and just sat and enjoyed the views for a long time. It made me very happy — a day well-spent!
So glad to hear you caught the blooms in SD. Nice to hang out awhile and take it all in.
I would love to visit the superbloom. I think it is incredibly therapeutic to be outside and with nature as well. What a beautiful place.
We were so lucky to see all this. Thanks, Nicole.
Actually, nature is the best drug for us too, We can trip on nature any day anytime. Anyways I am in love with your pictures especially of the wildflowers everywhere. We would love to see this in real someday for sure.
Thanks. I’m so glad you enjoyed the pictures and hope you get to see them yourself one day.
Just gorgeous! I love your pants too that match the scenery, haha! It’s so true, we often spend less and less time outdoors and it really attributes to mental health. Wonderful guide and sentiments about getting closer to nature.
Thanks, Eileen. The pants were just a lucky gamble! I’m glad you enjoyed the read.
Such an amazing image that field of poppies makes at the Antelope Poppy Preserve. Your timing was impeccable to be able to catch so many in full bloom. It had to be such a wondrous sight in person.
It was truly an incredible experience. I thought for sure we would be too late but they’re staying around a long while this year.
Yes I agree spending time tending the plants of garden is so relaxing. The poppy reserve is such a wonderful place for photography.
I wish I was in one of the scenes.
Imagining you in an exquisite sari in the middle of those blooms too.
These wildflowers look amazing. What a stunning area to walk around and enjoy. I love getting outside and enjoying the changed landscape that a decent rain brings after a hot dry summer.
We’re so happy to be out of the long drought. Hopefully, there won’t be big fires this year either.
You are so right; there is healing power in wildflowers! I live in Texas and the annual parade of wildflowers fills my soul with beauty. Thank you for your article and beautiful photos!
Thanks so much, Marilyn. I’d love to see the Texas bluebonnets myself one day.
It’s incredible what the rain has done in California this year, the Spring bloom has been so gorgeous!
Aren’t we lucky? Thanks, Layla.
Ah, you beat me to the Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve this year, Elaine! My husband and I kept saying that we should go there after the heavy rains we had in California this winter, but we forgot. I’m glad I stumbled upon your post to remind me we should go before the beautiful puppies disappear in the heat of the summer. I see you turned this visit into a much longer trip. Good for you! Beautiful pictures, by the way.
Thank you, Anda. I hope you catch the blooms. They’re staying a long while this year. I was so lucky to have turned this into a longer trip.
You’re so right, being outside is very therapeutic. Maybe a combination of the fresh air and moderate exercise? We didn’t see the Superbloom this year, no time to fit it in. 🙁
Sorry that you didn’t get to the local superbloom but there’s still so much going strong further north. I didn’t make it to Anzo Borrego this year either. We’re both so busy doig what we love!