It was hot. It was dry. And all I wanted was a rain bath.

by Marlene Berlin

Have you heard of the Japanese art of forest bathing? Hillwood has been guiding visitors on these meditative walks in nature.

What I longed for was a rain bath.

We were several days into July. Heat had settled in, and the forecasts foretold of even higher temperatures to come. As I lugged hoses around to water my plants and trees, I yearned for our usual summer thunderstorms and the downpours they bring. But they had not come, even when predicted.

The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang reported on July 11th that the region was down three to four inches of rain this summer, and we were in moderate to severe drought conditions. We were also beginning to see the classic signs of drought distress in trees, including early yellowing and browning and dropping of leaves.

The tulip tree in my front yard has lost so many leaves, they’ve required raking. I don’t recall ever raking leaves in July. Our redbud street trees are also starting to drop leaves, even though I have watered them.

By Friday, July 12th, I was ready for a good soaking, and not just for the plants. The weather forecast called for significant rain that day, possibly as much as an inch, and I had told my husband the previous night that I myself wanted to get soaked during my regular daily hike in Rock Creek Park.

I started out on my hike before 7:00 that morning, and but for a few off-and-on sprinkles, the rain held off. The trail was dry and hard like cement, with loose stones making the downhill portions slippery to navigate.

As I was about to cross Beach Drive at Rapids Bridge from Valley Trail, a young woman walked past me with a rain jacket and umbrella in her hand. I stared in disbelief. Who would want to be protected from the rain in this heat and humidity? Didn’t she realize she would get just as wet sweating under her rain jacket? And what use would an umbrella be other than to keep her hair dry?

On Rapids Bridge, Rock Creek looked like a rock creek. The water was low, with rocks and boulders dominating.

I ended my walk hot, sweaty and disappointed.

My luck changed the following morning. I set out again, this time with no expectation of rain. Then, it started. This was no mere sprinkle. It was really rain! I began to hearing the drops through the canopy.

I also saw two mushrooms, and trail was getting wet. I was elated.

When I reached Rock Creek, it was higher than I have seen in quite a while, and moving more rapidly. It was delightful to hear and watch the rain splash into the creek.

And I got my wish: a real soaking rain bath in the forest.