Hi guys. I'll post photos later tonight -- don't have my charger with me. Off to a meeting, but I wanted to get this thread started. I don't use the word "epic" very often, but today's hikes, added together, felt pretty epic. More later -- but make sure you're here on time for our guest dude tomorrow. Shorts and sturdy hiking shoes are OK for tomorrow's hike.
mrh
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ReplyDeleteMr. H nailed it, today was epic. Another strong rap sesh in the car and a mind blowing hike to start the morning was probably the best way to get the day started. Today i felt a new side of solitude in nature simply because of how different today was from yesterday. Being in the snow today, bundled up in warm clothes made it feel like we were exploring a whole new world. I think that goes to show us that sites and views in nature are endless; endless like the downhill fall to the bottom of the dessert floor we saw this morning. Once again i feel like our group got closer. The solitude we seek brings us closer in that we are more similar with one another after connecting with nature. On the second hike, by the pond, I truly got away on what felt like was my own rock and home for an hour of the day. No one can say they own that rock, it is just as much mine is it is yours and thats why finding a unique spot in nature is so special, it is easier to connect with. Something I noted today while i was writing was the sounds you can pick up from nature. Most times when i find myself in nature around my house a common sound is always cars, but today was different. Today all i heard was snow falling off the trees behind me, helping me dive into a new zone of solitude. Lots of fun today!
ReplyDeleteToday was definitely an awesome experience, from Balotelli'ing on top of a mountain to sitting alone in the woods. I think it encompassed everything that this course is about; we hiked, bonded, acted like tools, wrote a bit, and spent some time in true solitude. The view at the end of the first hike was a highlight of the day. Even though I get vertigo pretty easily, it was tons of fun to be up there. My favorite part of the day, however, was the hour we had to ourselves, though I wish we had more time than that. I enjoyed stepping off the trail to find a secluded spot where I could relax and do nothing for a while except look and listen. Like Robert, I was intrigued by the sounds I heard. It was quiet, but not silent. There was the constant snap, crackle, and pop of the snow falling from the trees, the light chit-chat from birds, and the knocking sound of a nearby woodpecker. These noises made the surroundings feel alive and gave the woods a beautiful musicality which made me wish I had brought my guitar to quietly play along.
ReplyDeleteToday was so epic that I can barely even walk tonight. It was a perfect example of what I love about Southern California: the environment is so diverse. yesterday we were in pretty much the desert and today we were in the mountains with a view of the desert. There are very few places in the world where you can go to the desert, ocean and mountains all in the same day.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of the day was our chance for solitude later in the afternoon. It was a great feeling walking where there were no footprints. I could see animal tracks, and I did try tracking a deer to no avail. Walking up to the top of the hill by myself, all I could here was the sound of crows and the wind blowing snow out of the trees. When I reached the top of the hill I found a boulder that had a view of the entire clearing that we came from. Being far from the city in a place that natural is a very special feeling. It made me think about how hard it is to get away, I mean truly away, from civilization. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow and meeting the nols guide whos hiking with us.
Ahh to be a San Diegan. I came to the realization today that we, the people of San Diego, are some of the luckiest people on Earth. We have experiences to be had within arms reach. All we have to do is take the time to see them out and grasp them.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of the day had to be our trek up to Garnet Peak. The cool breeze that crawled up the valley and across our path, stung the skin at times. It drew the moisture from the pores. Upon summiting Garnet Peak, I felt my jaw drop. The enormous distance from peak to floor was astounding. From snow to desert and jagged peaks to depressed valley floors.
I thoroughly enjoyed our second hike. The crunch of snow underneath my boots, the constant chatter of birds calling out to each other, and the eerie silence only made the hike more alluring. In our hour to ourselves, I suppressed my temptation to film. I want to feel the Earth, listen to the wind, breath in the cold air without the intrusion of technology. I tightrope walked across a fallen tree with moss growing on its underside. I sat down under the fallen tree and listened...
It is interesting to stop for a moment and think. To think of everything, to think of one's self and the world and the interactions that happen. I thought of Walden Pond, how Thoreau withdrew himself from society's equation. How Thoreau wanted to be reborn again and start from a new beginning. I felt the same urge as I tasted solitude for the first time. The feeling of isolation that I have only experience in nature. All the interactions I have with my world are digital these days. My friends are a click away and calling someone on the phone is becoming outdated. Our endless interactions with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. have become an obsession that, admittedly, is hard to stop. Yet, by stopping and thinking everything comes into perspective. The broad spectrum of reality that I have become accustomed to narrowed. I didn't need to turn my head to find out what was happening around me. I simply closed my eyes and let my mind wander.
I am disappointed the day had to end. I hope that maybe there will be another opportunity to loose ourselves in nature just one more time. To sit and listen just one more time for a while.
When we went our separate ways at Water of the Woods, I found a spot tucked up against a clutch of boulders and sat. I was out from under the pines so I didn't hear the snow falling in chunks or the hollow-skulled tock-tock-tock of the woodpeckers. At first the silence roared in my ears. Soon I became convinced I could hear the snow around me, melting. Time passed, not sure how much. Then a red-tailed hawk screamed, a bird flitted in the brush behind me, the wind gusted and settled and gusted again. My ears had adjusted. The silence, I realized, was not silence at all. I just had to listen for it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I bit into my sandwich, I realized chewing is a loud act. Obnoxiously so. It shut out those other sounds, so I sat with a mouthful of food for a few moments and let my ears adjust again. I decided to eat my food quickly and get back to listening. Again, it took a while to adjust. Like it does with my eyes at night.
Tony was right. Today we hiked, bonded, wrote, experienced solitude, and yes, acted like tools. I'm not sure if you could tell, but today I was acting like a socket wrench. Martin was a claw hammer. Frenchie was a chainsaw I'm pretty sure. The rest of you need to work on your tool impersonations.
Today was among the finest days of school I've experienced, teaching or otherwise: good times, good group, good views, good fun. Tomorrow should be cool too, but in a different way. If any of you are interested in our guest, Andy Paul, here's a link to the backpacking page of his blog: http://pollywogpaul.com/tag/backpacking/
Have a look and be sure to navigate around to other areas.
My favorite part of the day was definitely the hour of solitude. I walked up above where we split off, and found a high spot on a boulder under some trees. After listening as most of us did, I started to eat. Along with Aiston, I felt I was intruding into nature while I was eating my food. I looked down and saw a plastic wrapper with mustard packets then looked up and saw the vast landscape. In my mind i said "This is wrong". I ate as fast as i could just to put my trash away and enjoy the true beauty of where i was sitting.
ReplyDeleteGarnet peak was also amazing. Driving up the road not truly knowing where I was, then hiking up this regular looking mountain, the only thing I expected was what we read in class today. Then I saw it and I was bewildered with its beauty. With the word epic in mind, having a snowball fight on the cliff was pretty epic.
I came away with lots today: new experiences of my own, and memories with others. Along with the good comes the bad... aka a possibly broken tailbone.
Yesterday (the snow day) was awesome. I'd like to share a small poem that I wrote when we went our separate ways at Water of the Woods:
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ReplyDeleteJust like Mr. Aiston, what I found most enjoyable in our moment of solitude was listening to the calls of nature. For instance the crunching of snow underneath my boots with every step or the steady whistling of wind in my ears. The soothing Snap, Crackle and Pop ice makes when it hits thick tree branches. "What pleasant nature sounds." I thought to myself. I closed my eyes for a while and just listened. (Below is what I wrote in my journal - just a little something that popped into my head as I laid there. It's what I imagine life as a snowflake would be like.)
ReplyDeleteHeld hostage by gravity as they free fall from the sky they have no other option but to abide by her rules. She is cruel and unforgiving. One after the other their fates come to an end by an abrupt halt of a tree limb. Those who are more fortunate and make it to the bottom are only to be accompanied by sorrow for those who didn't. As they look up from the soft snow they can't help themselves but wallow in their own sense of relief. They are blessed. Lucky to be alive.
Anyways.. Day 2 was an epic adventure! I had a blast treading through snow with my fellow tools. Day 2 kicked butt! From Garnet Peak to sledding and hot coco, this day was filled with action packed adventure. I enjoyed every moment of yesterday's activities. I would say the highlight for me was the view from Garnet Peak, that sudden drop off into the desert is breathtaking and it couldn't have been better documented than with a photo of all of us flexing shirtless into the sun like true men.