Ranger Rhythms: The Art of Holding On
The Tree of Life – The Art of Holding On
At Kalaloch, on the edge of the Pacific in Olympic National Park, there is a miracle made of wood and salt air.
We call it the Tree of Life.
It’s a Sitka spruce, and at first glance, it shouldn't be standing. The ground beneath it has long since succumbed to the sea; a cavern has eroded away, leaving the tree suspended in mid-air. Its gnarled roots cling to the crumbling bluffs on either side, stretching across a void like straining tendons.
For me, this tree is more than a spectacle. It is a personal symbol of resilience—so much so that it inspired the name of my brand, Balancing Tree Press, and I carry its likeness in a tattoo on my back.
In the parks, we talk about 'protecting the resource,' but eventually, the resource begins to protect you. This tree is part of my internal geography, a constant reminder that I am built to endure.
The Witness
Reaching the tree isn't a long trek, but it is an intentional one. You have to climb over massive drift logs—the "bones" of the forest washed up by the tide—to get to the base of the bluff. With the vast, restless Pacific at your back, you turn to face the cavern.
Inside the hollow, there is a small waterfall—just runoff, really—that is slowly, quietly making the cavern larger. It is the very thing that is taking the ground away, yet the tree remains.
The Feeling of Protection
When you step underneath those suspended roots and look up into the branches, the world changes. You feel surrounded. Protected. There is a profound sense of "Handling It." Despite the erosion, despite the void, the tree continues to reach for the light. I like to think the trees surrounding it are fueling it through the soil they still share, a silent network of support that keeps the "impossible" tree alive.
It isn't so much about a hike; it is a witness to the strength of staying rooted when the ground disappears.
Adjusting the Tempo: The Rhythm of Resilience
In our lives, we often face seasons of erosion. We feel the "ground" being pulled out from under us—be it through loss, stress, or change. Our internal tempo can become frantic as we try to find something solid to grab onto.
The Tree of Life teaches us a different rhythm: the slow, steady pull of the roots. Resilience isn’t about the ground staying still; it’s about the strength of your connection to what feeds you. Sometimes, holding on by the roots is enough. You don't need a mountain beneath you to keep reaching for the sky.
The Ranger’s Check-In
What is your "Void"? Where in your life do you feel the ground has eroded?
What are your "Roots"? What are the three things—values, people, or practices—that you are currently clinging to?
Look Up: Step into the "cavern" of your current challenge. Can you see the canopy above you still reaching, still growing?
Find your peace. Stay rooted.
