It’s the end of a season. The end of another bi-polar winter in the northeast US. And now, as I hike through the wilderness, I can see Nature awakening from its winter slumber. Some areas of the wood are slush and mud, and then others are still melting from the thick snowfall of a month prior. There are signs of life everywhere, and I am overjoyed to see the seasonal rebirth happening in front of my very own eyes.
This morning, I had awoken with a stretch, before rolling out of the warm comforts. I opened the blinds as the sun was just visible outlining the distant horizon. I was elated to see the fresh melt of snow. I ran to the bedroom and changed clothes, before strapping on my Pinnacle GTXs. They fit snug around my foot, providing me with the extra protection and grip that a real good hike would require. The sun had barely peaked, shining an iridescent array of orange, pink and purple. I hopped in my car and drove a distance into the rural areas near by home, and before long, I had reached a stretch of woods I had never been before.
The forest was still brown and grey, but the farther I ventured into the thick woods, the more signs I discovered that announced that spring was on its way. I stopped to watch the morning come, with the soft and jubilant chirping of songbirds and the gentle scurrying of furry feet. I watched the birds play and sing, and the squirrels chase each other, until I decided it was time to continue on my way. I hiked down a decline, following the faint sound of rushing water until I reached a creek. I stopped abruptly at the sight of a doe drinking upstream. Alongside her, a young and wobbly baby leaned down for a drink, nearly falling in. I watched for a time until they made their way away from me.
Venturing further into the forest, I found young plants sprouting from up from under the decaying growth from the year before, and buds on trees and vines beginning to change from brown to red or green. And as I walked, my mind seemed to ease and slow, until all I knew was the connection of myself to the living world. While I enjoy the flowers and the smell of a fresh blooming spring, there is something amazing about the reemergence of life.
I climbed rock ledges, my boots gripping tight to the rock face, and made my way back. As I approached my car, I took a long look behind me, and I knew that soon, I’d be back, and soon, the world would look entirely different and anew with fresh growth. There’s nothing like spending time in Nature to heal what ails the mind and soul.
The forest was still brown and grey, but the farther I ventured into the thick woods, the more signs I discovered that announced that spring was on its way. I stopped to watch the morning come, with the soft and jubilant chirping of songbirds and the gentle scurrying of furry feet. I watched the birds play and sing, and the squirrels chase each other, until I decided it was time to continue on my way. I hiked down a decline, following the faint sound of rushing water until I reached a creek. I stopped abruptly at the sight of a doe drinking upstream. Alongside her, a young and wobbly baby leaned down for a drink, nearly falling in. I watched for a time until they made their way away from me.
Venturing further into the forest, I found young plants sprouting from up from under the decaying growth from the year before, and buds on trees and vines beginning to change from brown to red or green. And as I walked, my mind seemed to ease and slow, until all I knew was the connection of myself to the living world. While I enjoy the flowers and the smell of a fresh blooming spring, there is something amazing about the reemergence of life.
I climbed rock ledges, my boots gripping tight to the rock face, and made my way back. As I approached my car, I took a long look behind me, and I knew that soon, I’d be back, and soon, the world would look entirely different and anew with fresh growth. There’s nothing like spending time in Nature to heal what ails the mind and soul.
Garmont is known as one of the finest adventure/outdoor boot makers in the world, and I’ve had the opportunity to try out their hiking and mountaineering boots for men. And I have to say I back their claim to fame, because their boots are extremely high quality and very well made, and while they may be a bit pricier than some more economical options, they are built to last. The Pinnacle GTXs are no different, and may very well be one of their best makes.
If you would like to find out more about Garmont’s mountaineering boots, click here.
(Main photo by lepimento via Flickr)
Article written & Photos by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
If you would like to find out more about Garmont’s mountaineering boots, click here.
(Main photo by lepimento via Flickr)
Article written & Photos by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
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