'Quietly Contemplating Nature's Grandeur'

[Sweetfancymoses]

This magazine article recently hit my bedside table. It reminded me of 'my impetuous youth'. I thought I'd share it with you.

https://flic.kr/p/275nV3k https://www.flickr.com/photos/133956285@N05/

 

[yellowcanoe]

Loved it.
Reminded me of tripping in Woodland Caribou. It was so quiet. No animal sounds. No wind sounds. Nothing.. Trying to sleep. Out of nothing a growl.. EEK!
I almost ripped off the sleeping bag to run
From my own bowel sounds. My stomach scared me.

 

[Bob B.]

Nice article, I admit there have been times when I felt smothered by the stillness ... but now I rather enjoy it, On my last trip, I spent a lot of time jsut listening to the rain on the tarp or the sound of song birds echoing their melodies deep in the the bush. I would sip at my coffee, and listen, nothing more. At 17 that would be really hard for me to do, but now - it is just plain nice.

I enjoyed the read.

Bob.

 

[Waterdog]

That was me up until the last few years. I really had to find a way to force my self to slow down on solo trips. I turn 50 in January, I hope I'm finally getting it right.

Thanks for sharing,

Barry

 

[Robin]

I enjoyed that, not what I expected...I have rushed a few trips, not sure what happens but before I know it there's the take out, and a week later I'm wishing I had slowed down enjoyed the trip more.Thanks for posting that article.

 

[snapper]

Nice article. I can relate as that sort of thing has happened to me when backpacking solo. I plan an basic route and find myself done with my "day" all too soon. I too have continued on and come back out all in one day so I can completely understand some of his thoughts. Guess I'll just have to keep on trying until I get it right

That's all for now. Take care and until next time....be well.

snapper

 

[Mason]

And then there are winter solo trips, when the sun sets at 4:30, and it's cold outside......

 

[Steve in Idaho]

That's what fishing poles are for. And some folks think the point is to catch fish.......

It's an unusual soul who can fill a day with contemplation without at least a partial lifetime of memories and experiences to ponder on. Having something to focus on always helped me. Fishing (often unsuccessfully), photography, a new skill, or a book......all these things I have employed to make the time fly.

Speaking of flies......I loved that line - "...my fantasies were assaulted by a cloud of blackflies". Reminds me of a Mike Tyson quote.

 

[deerfly]

that was a great read and surprise too, but never me. I was always late getting back from my adventures. After many years of fishing, camping and hunting my dad knew I was probably fine, but my mom always worried the same as my wife did later in life when I was out of contact with our son for days. For me its always one more cast, or I really need to check for another deer stand site just up ahead or if I stay out until dark maybe I can gig some frogs on the way back to camp, etc. I rarely needed legitimate reasons to be be out in the wilderness too long...

 

[Alan Gage]

Nice article, thanks for sharing.

I can relate to many of his feelings. I enjoy traveling hard when on trips and easily get bored/antsy when spending too much time in camp. But that doesn't mean I can't/don't enjoy nature and my own thoughts. My mind is free to roam at will while I mindlessly paddle all day and one of my favorite things about long trips is that my brain can latch onto a problem and roll it around in my head for 2-3 days. Once I reach some sort of internal resolution it picks something else to think about.

I also spend lots of time fruitlessly trying to spot the bird I hear singing in the trees/brush near shore or to keep it in my field of view through the binoculars while the canoe slowly swings around in the wind. I like finding new plants I'm unfamiliar with and get a kick of of seeing some of the same ones I see back at home in a different environment. I might slowly paddle along for an hour while I watch the weeds wave under water, ,look for fish in the shallows, or soak in the forest scenery and then paddle hard for 3 hours.

While I enjoy my time in camp and like to sit on a rock next to the lake I find that I'm happiest sitting in my canoe seat. So that's where I spend a lot of my day which means I cover quite a bit of ground. To keep from finishing early I plan long trips that aren't very well planned but with multiple route options so I can stretch things out or cut them short depending on the circumstances.

Alan

 

[Guest]

yellowcanoe,I can identify with your experience. Twice at night I heard breathing real close. I finally figured out that when I held my breath---it stopped

 

[sweeper]

Or the hammock slowly swinging and scratching on the tarp

On this solo trip to Algonquin I planned short days to start because of large lakes and the chance of being windbound, by the end of day 3 I was on night 4 lakes.

I came home early a few times when I used to hike in the Whites of NH.

I enjoy being alone in the woods

 

[Pringles]

That was a wonderful read. I've gotten much better at finding things to occupy my campsite time. I had a great site in Yellowstone a couple of weeks aag. I had it for two nights. I left after one. I could say it was an impending thunderstorm, but I am mostly sure I just couldn't entertain myself another evening. Right now I'd love to go back, though.

 

[yellowcanoe]

That was a wonderful read. I've gotten much better at finding things to occupy my campsite time. I had a great site in Yellowstone a couple of weeks aag. I had it for two nights. I left after one. I could say it was an impending thunderstorm, but I am mostly sure I just couldn't entertain myself another evening. Right now I'd love to go back, though.

Which brings up the evolution of campsite pastimes. I just took a beginner painting class at the local library.. We have only one canoe trip planned this year for five days. I am hankering to try to bring along some paint and brushes and canvas to try and paint a mood in camp. I personally can only read so many books. My main campsite hobby is photography but its nice to have another pursuit.