Find yourself in a place where all is cozy and well in your sleep story tonight.
You're listening to Rainy Night at Cedarwood Cabin.
I've always loved the smell of cedar,
A scent I associate with the changing seasons.
When summer's light clothes are swapped for thick sweaters,
Carefully tugged away in a cedar chest.
Cedar has always brought me a calming aroma,
Offering a sense of safety and comfort.
Tonight we journey to an ancient forest of cedar and hemlock trees in the state of Washington.
Beneath the towering canopy,
A mist rises above the mossy ground as you take an afternoon walk.
Rain gently falls on the forest floor.
The fresh pure air carries the rich scent of wet cedar,
Mingling with the green fragrance of ferns and moss.
You wander deeper into the mystical forest,
Reveling in a profound sense of self-discovery.
The quiet looming presence of the old-growth forest unlocks a forgotten and beloved part of you.
You come upon a secluded mid-century cedarwood cabin.
You peacefully unwind in the outdoor sauna,
Watching the wildlife stir before you hunker down in a cozy cabin as the gentle rain on the roof lulls you into a deep,
Restful sleep.
It's time to dream away.
Welcome to Michelle's Sanctuary,
A sanctuary that is yours as much as it is mine.
I am Michelle,
Your guide to places beloved,
Where you are the main character,
And the world is yours to form and mold with your imagination.
You may lean into my words as much as you like,
Or allow your mind to take you on its own journey to the cedarwood cabin.
Please think of my voice as that of an old,
Dear friend who accepts you as you come.
You may let down your guard and feel safe as you listen.
This is a place to explore the sanctuary of your body and mind.
Celebrate making it through another day as you open yourself to sleepy waves that will deliver restoration and good dreams.
Turn your attention now to your body and breath.
Wiggle if you wish to find more comfort.
Maybe stretch your arms and legs out and feel them sink into the support of your bed.
Everything right now exists to support your sleepy mission.
And while you rest in the safety of your room,
Imagine the misty air of the cedar hemlock forest intertwines with the comfort of your bed.
Let out a sigh,
Picturing your breath merging with the damp night air of the old forest while you stay wrapped in warmth.
As you inhale,
Feel your energy sinking with the rhythm of the forest.
Visualize the swirling air exchanged between you and the cedar trees,
A symbiotic interaction that helps you both thrive.
Capture the quiet,
Enduring presence of these ancient trees grounding you.
Try yawning before you sigh.
Maybe make a sound as you let go,
Welcoming all the unspoken wisdom of the woods.
Inhale deeply,
Feeling your body expand and claim its space,
Knowing you are worthy of every bit you claim for yourself.
Yawn once more and then exhale again,
Releasing anything that dares to disturb your serenity.
See it come to life,
Effortlessly dissolving into the forest mist.
It is no longer yours to carry.
Relish one more round of conscious breathwork,
All for you.
Feel it becoming the deepest breath of the day.
Let it remind you that a few breaths can transform an entire experience.
And in this state,
You are so very ready to take a journey as the story unfolds.
To sit in solitude,
To think in solitude,
With only the music of the stream and the cedar,
To break the flow of silence,
There lies the value of wilderness.
John Muir,
Did you ever wonder if a forest knows its worth?
Like an old soul having lived through many seasons,
The ancient trees of a forest must remember to be strong and stay rooted,
But also adapt with flexibility,
Yielding with grace so they may not be broken.
What beautiful balance an ancient tree has mastered and what an honor to walk among them.
The rings of time kept secret within their trunks.
The trees are willing to share the gift of oxygen with you and only ask one thing of you in return,
That you exhale.
Not far from the Pacific Ocean,
Close enough that you can even imagine the sounds of crashing surf,
You wander through a cedar hemlock forest in Washington.
Some trees are as old as a thousand years or more.
The oldest of the Western Red Cedars boast diameters more than 20 feet wide,
Gentle giants that bring a sense of deep awe.
Walking through the forest feels like entering another world,
A majestic haven so far removed from highways,
Bustling cities,
And the hum of modern life that it becomes timeless.
You could walk this same path decades ago or days ago and so much would feel the same.
Nature is the ruler in her most beautiful,
Purest form and you sense you are merely a visitor,
Another impression of millions that came before you.
You move quietly among the towering trees,
Reverent,
Embracing a sense of peacefulness because you would not dare to interrupt the sacred quietude that permeates the air.
Your shoes,
So perfectly selected for this late afternoon walk,
Shuffle through layers of needles as twigs crunch beneath your feet.
In places of thick,
Moss-covered rocks,
Your feet balance on the vibrant green carpet that is both bouncy and soft beneath you.
The tactile sensations of the woods awaken your inner child.
There was a time when you were always this keenly aware of the world around you,
Curious about every detail.
You soak it all in as your souls sink into the damp,
Red-brown earth and you hear them squishing,
Leaving a mark.
A breeze billows through the thick trunks and the hemlock branches fan you like ostrich feathers,
Imparting you with a botanical scent milder than the cedar.
Their lower stature makes them feel more approachable than the mighty cedars.
The hemlocks thrive in the shadows cast by their lofty neighbors,
Content to exist in the quiet shade.
Their destiny isn't bound to becoming the tallest or the oldest,
Yet they are vital characters in the forest's understory.
Resilient and unassuming,
They adapt to the community of ancient cedar trees that came before them.
You're dressed in the most comfortable clothes you own.
Layers of soft,
Freshly laundered fabrics make you feel snugly and relaxed.
They keep you warm from the damp air as the temperature drops,
But are easily removed when sunlight filters through the incoming rain clouds and prevalent mist.
The breath of the Pacific Ocean brings the most subtle,
Briny tang that you might not even notice on a regular day in your life.
But here,
You experience the world differently.
Here,
You long to capture and savor the beauty around you.
There is nothing to distract you or pull you away and the scattered files of thoughts in your mind magically find their way into a state of organization.
Tucked away in mental cabinets where they need to be,
You have newfound clarity.
Nothing can interfere with your peaceful state of mind.
Everything only serves to enhance it.
The thick-needled branches of the cedars rustle,
Casting shadows around you as the faintest white-gold sunlight filters through.
You hear them whisper,
You are the keeper of your peace.
How empowering it feels to be reminded.
You take in a deep breath.
The resinous air is cool but refreshing,
Invigorating your lungs as the mist lands on your lips.
You pull your jacket closer as the clouds shift and new arrivals with purple-gray underbellies arrive with a promise of rain.
You heard the forecast crackle through a radio broadcast at the cabin earlier,
Predicting what is an uncommon in this temperate rainforest.
The sunset will come a rainstorm.
It is why you are on this walk,
Savoring the breaks in the clouds as the sun illuminates your face.
The wind changes,
The breeze becoming more forceful.
The sussurations of branches are joined by the babbling of a blue stream that runs parallel to the winding trail.
A few needles become free,
Falling gracefully to the earth at the pace of large snowflakes.
The ferns ripple like ocean waves,
Illustrious carpet of dewy greenery that surrounds you.
Birds call to each other from unseen perches so high above the forest floor you cannot see where they are.
With every step,
You become more in tune with the forest.
For a moment,
You cannot imagine ever being anywhere else.
You are so fully consumed by the remarkable sense of comfort you feel,
Feeling grounded,
Centered,
Alive.
You lean your palm against one of the widest cedar trees you have come across.
The grains of bark beneath your palm feel cool and rough.
The aroma of cedar takes center stage,
Rich and almost sweet,
Yet also purifying.
You can feel the forest cleansing you with each breath and each tactile exchange.
You trace your finger along the grooves and ridges of the bark,
Appreciative of how these cedar trees are allowed to grow without any judgment or pressure as they show their age.
They simply become more beautiful and impactful and take up more space.
Native American tribes often referred to the Western Red Cedar as the Tree of Life,
Honored for its resilience and usefulness.
From canoes to longhouses,
The wood from these trees brought shelter while the bark was woven into baskets.
You continue along the stream,
Watching a few tiny fish breach the water as dusk approaches.
A part of you loves how small problems can become in the presence of these ancient cedar trees.
You dip your fingers into the cool stream.
Without thought,
You cup your hands to gather the water and splash your face.
It simply feels so good.
You can't help but smile and do it again.
This time your hands go deeper into the silvery water,
Brushing against the slick blue-gray stones to gather even more water.
This time to cleanse yourself,
Your eyes welcome the coolness.
Instantly soothed in a way they didn't know they needed.
It lightens your mood.
It refreshes the moment.
Downstream,
You hear a snort and turn to catch the large frame of an elk,
Magically illuminated by sunlight piercing through a clearing in the clouds and canopy of hemlocks.
The light creates an aura,
Prismatic dew drops refract the light on her tony back,
Giving her the appearance of a mythical figure from a fairy tale.
Her velvety nose hovers over the babbling crystal-clear water.
She keeps a safe distance from you,
But your eyes meet.
She reads you,
Not afraid,
Knowing you can be trusted.
The elk's ears flicker attentively,
Even as her long purplish-pink tongue laps from the stream.
The gurgling water creates a soundtrack that causes every muscle in your body to relax as you watch the elk.
And then,
Once satiated,
She raises her head and cranes her neck in the opposite direction of you.
Spontaneously,
Without warning,
She swiftly leaps,
Her hooves pounding into the earth with a thunderous landing that can be felt upstream.
The sky darkens as the rain clouds move in and the first drops begin to fall.
The rain is soft and comes in a slow tempo,
Pattering on the feathery branches and trickling down through the lush needles.
There's no rush to escape the rain because at this pace,
You still remain mostly dry,
Protected by the thick conifers.
As you stroll along the babbling stream,
The cool water glistens under the soft light of the setting sun.
The orange-gold light occasionally breaks through the clouds,
Turning the mist a peachy hue.
The path begins to change into a marble-like pattern of pebbles and wet soil,
Guiding you to a manicured path.
You can sense the human touch as you approach the mulch walkway and twinkling golden footlights turn on.
Vibrant wildflowers bloom in a riot of colors and line the footpath.
Bright yellow California poppies sway in the breeze while delicate bluebells and vibrant orange tiger lilies add splashes of color against the backdrop of emerald green foliage.
All of them welcome the rain.
The calming aroma of wild mint mingles with the damp earth as you come upon the mid-century home known as the Cedarwood Cabin.
Its silhouette becomes clearer,
Framed by the ginormous cedar and hemlock trees that guard the entrance.
The cabin,
Built from cedar trees salvaged nearly a century ago after a fierce storm,
Blends in seamlessly with the ancient trees.
Its rustic charm is accentuated by the rich weathered wood and the inviting front porch adorned with hanging ferns and cheerful wicker window baskets overflowing with flowers and herbs.
The sky darkens as you make your way to a back deck that leads into the main bedroom.
Rain gently trickles down the sliding glass doors as you enter and go to a small nook that serves as a changing area.
The partition is also made of cedar.
Hand-painted fairies adorned in flowing garments in shades of green turquoise and aquamarine are featured across the top of the room divider.
Here a thick robe hangs on a brass hook and you change out of your many layers and relax into its downy fabric.
You gather a towel and step back outside to enjoy the outdoor shower.
While the shower provides a shield from the falling rain,
There's something uniquely refreshing about bathing as the rain cascades around you.
The stone floor is cool and grounding beneath your feet as individual smooth rocks massage the pressure points of your soles as the water streams over you.
The gentle rain drizzles softly onto the forest floor,
Harmonizing with a soothing sound of the shower,
Amplifying its calming effects and inviting you to unwind.
The cedar soap,
With its refreshing scent,
Creates a thick lather in your palms as you cleanse yourself fully.
You turn off the shower,
Feeling the cool night air in the absence of the hot water.
As you towel off,
Tiny droplets remain on your skin,
Tingling and offering a sense of aliveness.
You slip your feet into your pair of crocs and wrap the towel around you,
Then add the robe for extra warmth.
Outside,
A cedar wood bridge leads you from the shower to the outdoor sauna.
It blends naturally into the forest,
Yet adds a whimsical touch as you walk above the earth and enter the dome-shaped sauna.
Crafted from cedar as well,
The round glass door brings the sense of entering a hobbit home amongst the trees.
Entering the sauna,
You settle onto the warm cedar bench,
The resinous aroma becoming the most intense and delightful way that cedar has presented itself.
All the wonderful smells opening up in the heat.
The day catches up with you,
Bringing a sense of heaviness as you remove the robe and fashion it into a pillow.
You lie on your back as your spine comes into perfect alignment and let out a sigh.
You feel the water evaporating from your skin in the hot,
Dry air.
You dreamily peer out the large round glass door to witness as the day gracefully transitions to dusk.
Tiny fairy lights begin to twinkle throughout the property,
Casting a magical glow that enhances the enchanting atmosphere and occasionally creates small rainbow sparks of light.
The hoot of a great horned owl echoes through the woods,
Heard even within the confines of the sauna,
A prelude to its arrival.
You catch sight of it gliding silently through the trees,
Its wings spread wide before it perches gracefully on the railing of the cabin porch.
With its tufted ears and piercing yellow eyes,
The owl remains visible even as darkness encroaches.
In folklore,
The great horned owl symbolizes intuition and transformation,
Often seen as the guardian of the night.
This idea makes you feel safe,
Connected with your fellow forest dwellers.
What a gift it is to observe them from this healing enclosure,
Unseen and unnoticed.
The combination of being deeply relaxed in the early darkness this time of year brings on a yawn and then another.
Now dry and warm to the core,
You wrap in the robe that also retains the heat of the sauna and rise.
The journey back to the cabin feels like a dream,
Accompanied by a pleasant headiness and gratitude for the excuse the storm gives to hunger down and retire early.
This time you enter through the front door of the cedarwood cabin,
The smell of rain mixing with a warm,
Inviting scent of wood as you enter.
The open concept space feels expansive yet cozy with exposed cedar beams running across the ceiling,
Grounding the room in natural elegance.
Copper pans hang from the beams above the kitchen,
Their polished surfaces reflecting the dim light like pennies in a fountain.
The walls glow with a soft warmth of cedar and antique stained-glass light fixtures hang from above,
Casting jewel-toned hues of teal,
Amber,
Purple,
And sapphire cross the room with their enchanting glow.
You walk into the kitchen where the countertops are smooth,
Earthy stone and the original handcrafted cabinets remain their wood grain,
Representing the textures of the forest outside.
You prepare a quick bite to eat,
Something simple but satisfying.
The rain comes down harder,
The sound intensifying as it hits the roof.
The window over the sink offers a view of the drenched forest,
The dark silhouettes of the cedar and hemlock trees shrouded in fog.
After a light meal,
You warm some water for tea.
The steam curls into the air as you pour the water into your oversized mug and carry it to the window,
Cradling it in your hands.
You take in the rain-soaked world beyond,
The rhythmic drumming of raindrops against the leaves,
Feeling deeply appreciative for this moment of quietude.
With your tea in hand,
You retreat to the bedroom.
The cabin feels even cozier as the storm picks up.
You crouch in front of a small,
Black wood stove in the corner,
Prepared in advance,
So all you need to do is strike a match and ignite the kindling.
The fire takes quickly,
Crackling softly as it starts to blaze,
Its warm glow casting flickering shadows across the room.
The bedroom is a sanctuary of comfort,
The design simple yet refined.
Cedar wood walls line the space,
Capturing the same beauty afforded on your forest walk.
The sliding doors near the bed offer a view of the darkened woods,
Now blurred by rain.
You keep the curtains open to feel connected to the forest outside as you prepare for bed.
From robe to pajamas,
You turn out the lights and walk to the king-sized bed.
Atop it,
A thick duvet,
Soft as a cloud,
Drapes over the high mattress.
The four wooden posts of the frame give a sense of sleeping atop a treehouse.
All the colors of the room suit your preferences,
Aiming to remind you of all you find beautiful in this world.
As the fire crackles in the wood stove,
You sink into the bed,
The mattress conforming to your body as you pull the duvet up to your chin.
You love its weight,
How it grounds you and feels like a hug,
A barrier between you and all the energy of the outside world.
Every element of the night,
The rain,
The warmth of the fire,
The soft cedar scent lingering in the air.
The craftsmanship of the cabin serves to gift you the best night of sleep.
With each breath,
You feel the weight of the day slipping away,
Your body growing heavy with relaxation.
You close your eyes,
Knowing that the night promises the best sleep you've had in a long time.
Secure in the comfort of this forest refuge,
You sense sleep coming slowly,
At first rolling in like the first gentle drops of rain,
Growing to fully envelop you in a wonderful shower of slumber.
Finding serenity,
Finding comfort,
Finding the loveliness of this night,
Finding sleep.
It's time to dream away.
