A Walk in the Woods

After a long week of teaching and educating there's not much that can beat a weekend spent in the woods botanizing and being surrounded by nature. I've found that being out in nature is not only something I enjoy, it is also a very effective stress reliever. There is something about being among the trees and the animals (and of course the wildflowers) by yourself, or with a group of nature nerds, that eases the soul. When me and/or my friends escape to the forest, or the mountains, or a wetland I've found that nature seems to welcome us back like an old friend. The natural world always has something more to show, to teach, and to discover. Even visiting the same place over and over again across the span of several years can still turn up something unexpected. When the end of the week nears it seems that nature is calling me back to relax, to explore, and to find something new. More and more it seems that people (in the U.S. at least) think of nature as something separate from ourselves. It is something that exists on the periphery of our civilization. Something dark and mysterious full of frightening secrets and hidden dangers waiting to strike. Too often nature has become something to be mistrusted, avoided, or even feared. I can't speak for other people but as for me I will always be ready return to the wild ready to enjoy and to learn.

Publicado el enero 5, 2015 07:18 TARDE por wildflowerenthusiast5