Coastal Campground

Good evening, and welcome to tonight's exploration of this secret coastal campground, perched at the top of a rocky cliffside, overlooking the swirling ocean below, hidden just beyond a cluster of ancient redwoods. This spot's secluded nature helps ensure its preservation. Lucky visitors with a shared sense of reverence for the space know to leave it better than how they found it. On a clear day, campers can gaze out into the ocean for miles in each direction, and on nights like tonight, the indigo sky is crowded with stars. With only these wise redwoods as companions, this is an ideal spot for thoughtful reflection and relaxation. So with the sound of the waves crashing below us, let's deepen this sense of relaxation with a short wind down exercise. Tonight's exercise is a really simple breathing exercise. So when you are ready, let's begin. So first, get yourself comfortable. Now just bringing the attention to the breath. Just noticing where you feel it, in the nose, the throat, the chest, the diaphragm. You're nice and relaxed. We're going to be taking a deep breath in for four, holding it for four, and then breathing out for six. So are you ready? Let's begin in for four, two, three, four, hold it for four, two, three, four, breathing out for six, two, three, four, five, six, in for four, two, three, four, holding for four, two, three, four, out for six, two, three, four, five, six, in for four, two, three, four, holding for four, two, three, four, out for six, two, three, four, five, six, in for four, two, three, four, holding for four, two, three, four, out for six, two, three, four, five, six. Great, now returning the breath to normal. On the cliff side overlooking the cove, a hammock sits suspended between two sturdy redwoods. Years ago, a generous camper strung the hammock up and now it is one of the most treasured features of the campground. The hammock attracts dozens of people each week. Campers hear about the secret spot from a friend or friend of a friend and get spotty directions for a chance to sink into the woven hammock made soft from years of gentle wear and catch an unbeatable view of a multicolor sunset. The hammock has evolved into an unplanned, genuine community project, its belovedness obvious from its patches of visible mending. A length of blue backpacking rope used to tie two shredded ends together here, an orange bungee cord reinforcing a supporting rope there. Patches made of bandanas covering threadbare areas in several spots. On a night like tonight with the yoke yellow moon sitting low in the sky, there's no better place to stargaze. It's easy to sink into the hammock and get lost. Directly above, too many stars to count, glitter in the inky sky, swaying in the hammock, listening to the waves crash on the beach, this is the perfect place to fall asleep. A sandy patch at the...