April 28, 2010
We went backpacking last weekend to Gentian Pond. Here are a couple trip reports from last summer: Gentian Pond Trip Report and The rest of the backpacking story.
On Friday we hiked 3.5 miles up to the shelter and set up camp there. Saturday we took a short mid-day hike to a nearby waterfall, 3 miles round trip. Sunday we packed up and hiked back down.
We waded through fast flowing mountain streams (chilly), walked on boards laid down in bogs, crawled over many a downed tree, lost our footing on slippery leaf litter and hiked up and around large boulders. And as the term implies, backpacking means you carry everything you need on your back.
An amazing thing happens when I leave my home and head into the woods with my family, especially for a couple days (I can only imagine the effect being only stronger if we were gone for weeks).
I re-orient. I remember how abstract the internet is (though I love using it as a tool for accessing the wider world). I forget about projects to be completed at home. I don't stress about anything, my body is too tired and my mind empties of its burdens except for the moment at hand.
Being in the woods with my family is where I'm best able to live in the moment. There is nothing else to do - but be in that moment. There are no distractions, except a book and maybe a piece of paper and pen. I think I listen better to my children and really hear what they are saying, without my mind being ten other places at the same time. I remember, this is the kind of person I want to be and I try to take that awareness home with me.
At times it can be awkward. I thrive with a to-do list and often like the mental gymnastics of my daily life. But there is much that I gain by being in the woods that my home life does not afford me. I wrote a little list this weekend of those things and it goes something like this.
I go to the woods (with a nod to Thoreau's famous I went to the woods quote):
My disability scooter cannot take me into the woods so I can only remember what it used to be like to hike. But being able to read about your trip and see your pictures is a wonderful reminder of how blessed we are to have such wonderful places to go and wonderful things to see.
Oh I LOVED this post! It was MY little trip to the woods! :) I hope to soon find my way to a peaceful spot for a "be in the moment" kind of day. As soon as I get through this paperwork and fundraising! Thanks for a breath of fresh air today!
I love the simplicity of it. Fetching water, making meals and exploring. It really is good to go backpacking. It must be nice this time of year without the bugs though!
It was wonderful with no bugs. A bit chilly but I'll take that over bugs.
beautifully said. gosh, i just love your blog! i really enjoyed the composting post...i've been wanting to do that for years and can you believe i've never "gotten around to it"...i need to get one of those! (an "around-to-it") :0)
I so loved this post (: I find myself missing that time in the woods. But late in the evening (around 3 am) there are few cars left on our busy street, people have well turned in for the evening, and all is quiet with the world. It's during this time when I slip outside to walk the dogs, gaze at the moon and breathe in the cool night air. These are my "woods" where I can think more clearly and let go of the distractions of the clattering, noisy city.
You go out to walk your dogs at 3am in the morning? Wow, that's early or late... depending on how you look at it.
Beautiful post and motivations Renee.
Oh Renee that looks amazingly peaceful and beautiful. What a wonderful experience and oh how I can relate even though I haven't been camping yet with my boys.
Annie
I think of my wilderness time as when I get really lucid--thanks for sharing a little pre-season (for us) backpacking inspiration. Kyce
Looks like a fabulous weekend! And a great reminder to "be in the moment" which sometimes as a mom can be my biggest struggle with my kids. Thanks for the reminder! I just love your blog!
This looks like a you had a great weekend. I've been trying to be more in the moment. This was a great post and I love the pictures.
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Debbie on April 29, 2010, 12:49 a.m.
Ah Renee, sounds like a great weekend. You guys are so inspiring. Really. I love looking at the pics of your and your kids and how happy everyone is to be exactly where they are. Being in "this" moment is so hard when you have a million other things to do, but I too find the great outdoors really does help to create that space. There is no where else to be, or go and nothing else to do. Just here. Now. Breathe. So fantastic. Thanks, btw, to the link. Very sweet of you. xo