With the colder weather, there are days when I long to hike among the rolling hills of green and find myself staring into the seemingly infinite distance where the mind can only fathom new beginnings, but no end. There is a sense of peace in the silence of nature, the gust of wind on your face, the crisp air that heightens the senses - the blades of grass that brush through your fingertips and mark your passage through the winding dirt roads traveled far and few between.

On one calm day, we woke up early for a short hike through Briones Regional Park, beyond the Berkeley hills. Dogs are allowed and the area is vast enough to enjoy a companionable silence with friends or laughter in the privacy of the park’s sheer expanse. We encountered few people along the many trails.

My husband and I took photos along the way, mentally marking spots we encountered for future picnics in the spring. Though I enjoy the coziness of the season, I’m looking forward to watching the land wake from its winter slumber, brimming with new blooms and pastel colors.

I’m hoping one day, we’ll live a little closer to nature, but until then, we have some more hikes and outdoor adventures to plan!