Nature is Good for You

I respect those that might not find the outdoors appealing. It's not for everyone.

But, solo or group survival in any terrain is a wholesome challenge that requires some training in order to appreciate.
Some of the rules I learned, such as planning the destination, maps, compass, food, water, shelter are necessary to get there safely. 'Mother Nature' can indeed be hostile at times, but it can be accommodated for if respected. Indeed, there is a synergy and harmony that can be found in the journey.

Having also spent time in some of the largest cities in the world, I've found they also have rules that must be observed - but require different training to appreciate. Planning your destination, how to travel to get there, avoiding known violent areas, shelter in a decent hotel/motel are necessary to get there safely as well. Cities can also be hostile at times, but it can be accommodated for if respected.

Whether in the wilderness or in the city - each has it's own rules - and draws it's own crowd of admirers.
I've known some people who simply love NYC, LA, Philly or Chicago because they find deep satisfaction with city life.
I can see it and understand it - to each their own.

However, I believe this thread was addressed for those that find beauty in nature and embrace it. It is my sincere hope that those that have not yet found that beauty, might be yet open to experiences that may change that opinion.

Ditto. And good points about the needed logistics to make a go of it in unfamiliar places. I’m a day hiker (or biker). That’s it. I don’t get that deep into it. Luckily there are some very good outdoor places very close by. But I do get jealous from time to time of those who have the gumption to get together with a couple friends and hike literally into the heart of the Olympic Mountains or other off-the-beaten-path places. I would love to climb The Brothers, a well-known twin-peak mountain in the Olympics. And it’s well within my technical capabilities. But then there are those logistics. And I don’t really want to stay overnight (although it could be done in a day).

So kudos to those who are more adventurous. I admit I’m not one of them. And I admire reading of their adventures.

My adventures outdoors (after a hiatus in my 30’s and 40’s — I had certainly been a fairly active bike rider in my younger days) was instigated by back pain and other mild maladies of spending too much time indoors in an office chair. I found that if I got out once every four days or so and did some vigorous activity, I would be fine.

That’s still part of the motivation. But then I discovered the tonic of just getting out in the great outdoors for its own sake. Admittedly, I usually limit my excursions to sunny days. Hiking or biking in the rain just doesn’t do it for me. But, heck, if its 30 degrees and sunny in December, I’m only too glad to get out.

I’m definitely an evangelist for getting out from in front of the TV, computer, or phone screen. I can’t say that I’ve discovered the meaning of life. But exercise and getting out in nature do recharge my batteries in ways that are hard to describe.

One thing that I think is a real concern to many people is being alone with yourself. “I blabber, therefore I am.” That seems to fit our culture these days. I think being alone scares a lot of people. We’ve become so used to distraction that many have become habitually uncomfortable with silence and solitude.

My core belief is that only through solitude can we expand ourselves. If we do no more than define ourselves by other people, who are we then? No one is there to tell you how to be when you are with yourself. There’s no way to measure yourself. Worse, the voices inside your head will begin to multiply and amplify during moments of solitude. And they are like monsters for those who have little experience with dealing with those voices (other than just drowning them out).

Granted, I would say there are people who are more outgoing and those who are more contemplative. That said, I think chatter and the constant distractions served up in a modern life have eroded our hearts, minds, and souls. We need to detach from that stuff from time to time. And when you do, there is the distinct possibility that some of these poisons we have been habitually putting into yourselves (through our eyes and our ears) will be recognized as such.

Those are cool little birds with the mod haircuts. I hope you can snap some picture of them.

I think I got that link to work for you:



Larger View

You really need to rein in your peeping tom propensities before the wife catches on.

Oh...you mean birds. Never mind. But what a major step for a bird. There is almost nothing in between flying or not flying. A lot of fathers taught their children to swim by pushing them off the dock into the water. I'm not saying that's the best way. But it's an understandable way.