whenever i need a little psychological boost, a visit to the woods usually provides renewal, insight and peace. the woods inspire awe and wonder. there is an awakening in feeling small amongst a set of towering trees, whilst also observing the vast natural landscape of things even smaller than myself: fungus, stones, birds, tiny animals, wildflowers, leaves and lichen. there is nothing like a walk in the woods to put you in your place, to shrink your ego and to provide you with enough solitude to sort through your thoughts. i almost always come out of the woods slightly wiser than when i entered.
going into the woods as a family is generally very rewarding. as much as tashi complains about hiking, she usually ends up having the time of her life. the woods are like that. you might not feel that motivated to get there, and you might even feel a little ambivalent while in there, but eventually, you find yourself discovering the unexpected.
i spent most of my childhood in the rural pennsylvania countryside, at the foot of a hill that was topped with endless forest. i used to spend hours alone, climbing the hill, visiting the swamp, walking down the fire road in the enormous silence. of course, i often made my way to the garbage dump, where i found treasures to furnish my secret playhouse, which was also in the woods. or i would hang out in a wrecked car that sat alone and out of place just as you entered the woods. no matter what, the woods provided enough ominous mystery to always make me feel like i was having a great adventure.
dan and i had one of our first big adventures together in the woods, hiking into the ventana wilderness near big sur, ca, camping alone along a river where no other human life existed for a couple of nights. camping has always been a highlight for us. and so it remains.
we were wed in the woods, in the mendocino woodlands, amongst the redwoods. there is no holier sanctuary than the forest. i don't think i've had more fun, what with so many friends and family members gathered for a weekend in the redwoods, celebrating love and nature. we were married by special friends, a pagan priest and priestess, had a great celtic band, and the most amazing mendocino caterer who used organic, fresh, local food. i hope we can repeat the party again someday!
we've been lucky too in our living spaces. in ann arbor we lived a five minute drive from town, but on two acres in the woods, with a pond, near the river, bordering a park. and now we live near the university, but with a nice stretch of woods bordering our back yard.
i don't think i could survive otherwise.
if you're feeling blue, or confused, or if you need inspiration, or silence, or if you want to add a little adventure to your day. just do it. hit the road and visit the woods.
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