Hanging out with Friends and a Soundscape escape

My wife is an absolute treasure. Mila is always finding some wonderful experience for us to dive into, and more importantly, gathering the right group of people to share it.

This particular outing came together through her cousin, who volunteers taking photos for the team running programs up at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. After reaching out to a few like-minded friends, a group of us gathered at our home for dinner before heading out to Sugarloaf for the evening excursion.

The group on the hike to the soundscape

As dusk was approaching, we met in the parking lot and got our brief from the team. The instruction was pretty simple: quiet down and follow the guides deeper into the park. We eventually settled down along one of the tributaries, with everyone finding a comfortable spot to kick back in camp chairs or on the ground.

That’s when the host of the Ear to the Wild podcast, Jack Hines, working in partnership with NorCal Public Media and KRCB, set up the gear. They brought out high-tech audio equipment, including a massive directional microphone hooked up to individual headsets for everyone.

The mixer used during the soundscape

We took turns slipping on the headphones. The whole point of the Soundscape Listening Walk, held in celebration of California Biodiversity Day, was to tune out our own internal noise, quiet the mind, and let Mother Nature take center stage.

Through the headsets, the sounds of the evening were brought right into focus. You could hear leaves rustling in the breeze, insects humming in the brush, the flow of the stream, and as the sun fully set, the calls of owls ringing out across the canyon.

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

It wasn't some earth-shattering revelation, but it didn't need to be. It was just genuinely cool - a rare chance to slow down, drop the daily chatter, and listen to the forest in its own element. Huge thanks to Jack Hines, the crew at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, NorCal Public Media, KRCB, and @ediscamera for putting together such a unique, grounding experience. And last but absolutely not the least my wife Mila Chaname. Without her we would not have enjoyed this excursion. 

Mila listening to the soundscape.