The Hidden Wild Places

On a wooded hill above a shopping mall in Carlsbad, there is an old drainage ditch obscured by the shrubs and trees. This ditch is a wide, sloping concrete bowl almost completely out of sight to those passing by on the busy streets below, which makes it an excellent spot for skateboarding. Over the years, locals have made all kinds of DIY concrete ramps and extensions in the ditch, turning it into a sort of clandestine skatepark.

When I lived in Carlsbad, this spot was a go-to place for me to get away from the noise and busyness of life and just spend some time blissfully rolling around on my skateboard. There was rarely anyone there, which suited my introspective mood well. But as I repeatedly made the hike into the hills to reach the ditch, I began to discover a whole community of quiet companions – the native plants that grew under the shade of the towering trees.

As I became more familiar with the colors of the flowers and foliage in their seasonal cycles, the smells of the leaves and the sounds of the buzzing pollinators, I longed to know these neighbors better. This began my love affair with Southern California native plants, a journey that continues to this day. And as I learned, I also found that spending time in creation allowed me to connect with the Creator in deeper ways.

The native plants showed me the brilliance and resilience of God’s abundance as I studied the ways they adapted to and thrived in the places where they grew. I could see the Spirit’s movement in the ecosystem where each being – plant, animal, insect – depended on each other for survival. In this little wild place just outside the chaotic flow of human civilization, I learned to practice the art of stillness and dependence on God’s ever-flowing grace.

It might seem funny that it was skateboarding that brought me to connection with nature, but we all find our way through different paths. And however we get there, may we all find those hidden wild places in our lives where we can experience connection with God through the wonder of creation.

- Rev. Brian Petersen

Join us this Saturday as we explore one of the hidden wild places in our own backyard – Hosp Grove Park in Carlsbad! (which may or may not be the same place referred to in the story 😊 )

Meet in the parking lot off of Jefferson St (use the address 2230 Jefferson St, Carlsbad CA 92008) at 1pm on Saturday. There are about 3 miles of trails in the park, and we will base the length of our hike on how far the group wants to go. Please note that the trails can be steep in spots, but generally the trail is manageable for all ages. Leashed dogs are also welcome.

Saint Brigid .