Sweeping hills of green joined the moody gray and subtle blue of the sky mirrored in the still water of the pond, creating an inspiring, eye-catching scene before me. Though, an hour or so before I had awoken beneath a grey cloud that tainted my mood and stalled my ability to write and work, and to think clearly…
I had driven deep into the forest before slowing to a stop, and since I needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, I decided to hike the early morning away, through the forest to the water’s edge. I slung my adventure pack over one shoulder and my gear hauler over my other and I grabbed a folding camp chair. And as I trampled my way through the thick brush of spring, I realized there were no signs of other campers or hikers, and no others stirring, only the sound of my footsteps, my breaths and my heart beating wild.
I made my way carefully along a steep stretch of rock that opened to a cliff of still water, where I simply stopped, standing still, watching as far as my eyes could see. I let my breath catch in my heaving chest before hiking up along the bank to the highest point. Discovering a familiar flat perch, I unfolded my chair and sat. I studied the edges of the forest, across the small body of water, keeping my eyes peeled for wildlife that I knew would be near. I didn’t know what I hoped to see exactly but I knew that by just being among the wild places that I would begin to feel better. Part of me hoped to see a black bear, or some powerfully winged creatures take to the open skies. Anything at all would be welcome, because even though the true sound of Nature had always brought with it a peacefulness, I was beginning to feel lonely by myself.
The wind gently rippled the surface of the lake, and with it came the soft pattering of rain. Like a glittering disco ball, the reflection muddied and soon, all I could see in the mirror was a shadow of trees upon a bubbling plane. I feared getting caught in a downpour and contemplated heading back, but then I remembered that I had a plastic raincoat in my pack. For a few brief minutes of trickling cool water, the rain slowed and the breeze went still. A silence so powerful came over the scene. And I began to appreciate the soundless moments, for there were no humans and no civilization that could spoil the peace that began to form deep in my soul.
I made my way carefully along a steep stretch of rock that opened to a cliff of still water, where I simply stopped, standing still, watching as far as my eyes could see. I let my breath catch in my heaving chest before hiking up along the bank to the highest point. Discovering a familiar flat perch, I unfolded my chair and sat. I studied the edges of the forest, across the small body of water, keeping my eyes peeled for wildlife that I knew would be near. I didn’t know what I hoped to see exactly but I knew that by just being among the wild places that I would begin to feel better. Part of me hoped to see a black bear, or some powerfully winged creatures take to the open skies. Anything at all would be welcome, because even though the true sound of Nature had always brought with it a peacefulness, I was beginning to feel lonely by myself.
The wind gently rippled the surface of the lake, and with it came the soft pattering of rain. Like a glittering disco ball, the reflection muddied and soon, all I could see in the mirror was a shadow of trees upon a bubbling plane. I feared getting caught in a downpour and contemplated heading back, but then I remembered that I had a plastic raincoat in my pack. For a few brief minutes of trickling cool water, the rain slowed and the breeze went still. A silence so powerful came over the scene. And I began to appreciate the soundless moments, for there were no humans and no civilization that could spoil the peace that began to form deep in my soul.
The toiling and modern stresses of life seemed to dissolve with each meditative breath, and with every passing second a deep sense of belonging came over me. And I began to feel reborn. I breathed in slow and steady, and as my peace and connection with the natural world grew, I began to hear the sound of creatures stirring. The sun opened bright and orange, and low in the morning sky, as the songbirds flooded into the woods behind me. I laid the position of my chair back, so I could stare up at the sky or back into the woods overhead and upside down. For awhile, I simply laid back, breathing in and out, steadying my breath until a meditative tranquility overcame my senses. And with a still mind, I listened to the gentle sway of the trees and the rustling of leaves, to the birds and the wind flowing over the foothills, and soon it wasn’t long before something met my ears and my eyes flashed wide open and I sat up, peering around.
“I know that sound,” I whispered to myself. The call of a bald eagle. And sure enough, after a moment of scanning the skies, I found her beautiful silhouette as she tore across the clouds, ever so gently and with such a grace that my eyes began to water. I watched for a long time, before making my way back the way I had came. I hiked for another hour, exploring the wilderness, and enjoying the tiny scurrying creatures. On my drive home I felt renewal, a sharpness of mental focus that cut through the haze of stress that I had felt upon waking, and when I got home, I sat myself in front of my keyboard and the words flowed once again. Sometimes, all I need is to step away so I can rediscover what’s truly important in life. And other times, I simply need to recharge in the wild where once we were born.
“I know that sound,” I whispered to myself. The call of a bald eagle. And sure enough, after a moment of scanning the skies, I found her beautiful silhouette as she tore across the clouds, ever so gently and with such a grace that my eyes began to water. I watched for a long time, before making my way back the way I had came. I hiked for another hour, exploring the wilderness, and enjoying the tiny scurrying creatures. On my drive home I felt renewal, a sharpness of mental focus that cut through the haze of stress that I had felt upon waking, and when I got home, I sat myself in front of my keyboard and the words flowed once again. Sometimes, all I need is to step away so I can rediscover what’s truly important in life. And other times, I simply need to recharge in the wild where once we were born.
When I wake up under a dark cloud, I venture out into the forest to find peace and relief from the stresses of modern life. When I go, I pack essential food and water in my 20L Adventure Pack, along with various gear, a book, and sometimes I’ll bring my writing things with me. And, knowing how easily a situation can turn into a survivalist situation, I pack various survival gear in my Beast Gear Hauler, both of which are made by Orange Mud. Orange Mud is a creator of a range of adventure, sport and training gear, and lately I’ve been using their 20L Adventure Pack and their Beast Gear Hauler on my day trips.
The 20L Adventure Pack is the perfect size for day hikes and short trips into the bush, because it’s small, lightweight, yet quite versatile in that it has a lot of space via the top opening and is loaded with a lot of features like well balanced front pockets made for carrying water bottles. It has a range of straps for hanging additional gear or for extending the size of the main compartment of the pack, as well as an elastic chest with a wide range of sizing options that make it versatile for men and women of all shapes and sizes.
The 20L Adventure Pack is the perfect size for day hikes and short trips into the bush, because it’s small, lightweight, yet quite versatile in that it has a lot of space via the top opening and is loaded with a lot of features like well balanced front pockets made for carrying water bottles. It has a range of straps for hanging additional gear or for extending the size of the main compartment of the pack, as well as an elastic chest with a wide range of sizing options that make it versatile for men and women of all shapes and sizes.
The Beast Gear Hauler is essentially a cargo bag that can close up small and tight, which makes it one of my favorites for taking overseas. But when I’m camping overnight in the wilderness, it’s a great, strong bag to have to fit your survival necessities inside, like your tent, sleeping bag, axe, and medical kit. It’s made of 1050 Ballistic Nylon, so it's built to last, and it offers some water protection with its urethane backed coating. Both are great bags for adventure travel, sporting, or just your everyday uses.
If you would like to find out more about Orange Mud, click here.
Article written by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
(Main photo by bluecorvette via Flickr / Second photo by den-s via Flickr)
If you would like to find out more about Orange Mud, click here.
Article written by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
(Main photo by bluecorvette via Flickr / Second photo by den-s via Flickr)
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