Robert Rausch
I remember the first time a friend of mine (who was my grandfather’s age) took me to Coffee Cave. As the trail ended at the bank of Coffee Slough, we stood and looked in silence before turning north to finish the journey to the cave. It was a spellbinding experience. I didn’t want to leave. There wasn’t anything to look at in particular but the way the bald cypress trees jutted toward the sky with majestic knees blended the harshness separation between land and water. It begged you to join in as if you have no choice but to follow suit.
It sparked my imagination with little or no markings of time. I imagine it hasn’t changed in hundreds or thousands of years. I like things that stand the test of time. Even though I have gone there plenty of times and share it with special people in my life, it still has a way of captivating me. Very much like at the edge of the Grand Canyon or the top of Mt. Whitney I get the same sense of awe as I do at Coffee Slough.
It transports me to a place where anything is possible, and all opportunities are just waiting to be taken. Not only is it magical, but the world seems to have endless opportunity and possibilities to be discovered. I am humbled and honored to be able to call this place my home.
