Many years ago, I stayed at the Sycamore Springs resort in Avila, California. https://www.sycamoresprings.com I soaked in a private mineral water hot tub at night, and explored the gardens during the day. Consulting a property map, I saw a labyrinth. Curious, I crossed a bridge over the road to the other half of the hotel property, and turned right. Walking a short distance through a meadow, I found the rustic labyrinth. Slowly, I walked its circuitous path while pondering my career. My job was in a state of transition, and I felt the need to center by walking the labyrinth. I left calmer than when I entered.
2025 brought even more stormy seas. After a year which seemed like a never-ending winter, I escaped at the end of December to a hotel near Sycamore Hot Springs.
Returning to the area, I felt the familiar tug toward the labyrinth. I knew exactly where it was…or so I thought. The evening was chilly, with light rain showers, but I was determined to find the labyrinth. In my rain gear, prepared with an umbrella and flashlight, I walked across the same bridge. A cafe was at the end of the bridge, I didn’t recall that cafe. Looking right, I was confused. A gate blocked the road, with orchards and gardens on each side. Was my memory faulty? I retraced my way across the bridge, exited the parking lot and walked along the road, thinking I could cross through the woods and get to the labyrinth. Searching for a possible entry, I realized this was futile.
Sighing in disappointment, I went to the hotel gift shop to enquire. The young lady manning the register said she didn’t know about any labyrinth, and had worked there for many years. The verdict was sealed when I consulted the World Wide Labyrinth locater website https://labyrinthlocator.org/ It wasn’t listed. Perhaps someone will find it, and find peace. But this night, that someone was not me.
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