Early spring transforms Rainbow

“Come forth and feel the sun,” directs the poet William Wordsworth. The community of Rainbow is a place where one can “feel the sun.” This charming burg perched on the edge of San Diego County is surrounded by mountains with boulders the color of sand. Spring’s green grasses crowd the boulders, competing for a place in the sun.

The recent deluge of rain transformed Rainbow into a garden. Today, the sun is brilliant and the landscape is vibrant with green grasses. Wildflowers line the roadsides and bloom in fields. Early blossoms of ‘wild radish’ and ‘tidy tips’ touch Rainbow with splashes of lavender and yellow.

The late afternoon sun casts long shadows on the green lawn of the park and the sycamore leaves shiver in the cool spring breeze. A metal windmill squeaks in the wind and the fresh scent of native grasses permeates the air. A large grey and white striped cat rubs my leg and meows. I call him Tiger but am told his real name is Snickers. Birds perch high in the trees or dash across the sky to parts unknown.

I then follow Rainbow Crest Road, which winds and winds and winds around the mountain until finally a spectacular view is visible. Climbing toward the peak I assume I must be heaven-bound… and when I arrive at a high precipice I almost believe it. Below is a great expanse of valley and beyond the valley is the first apricot glow of sunset. The blush of sunset traces the waves of clouds, then melts into the horizon. Before the darkness of evening envelopes the scene I see in the distance the unmistakable outline of the Pacific Ocean reflecting the sun, but only for a few moments. The wind is now silent and nothing disturbs Rainbow’s view until… past the fences… beyond the fields, a soft haze begins to mute the far sea.