So there I was (isn’t that how all the best stories start?), tramping through the Ohio wilderness; what’s left of it, anyway. The first cold front came through the night before, setting a chipper mood over the scene of newly changed trees. Their true colors were revealed, contrasting the greenery in waves of crimson and orange with clever blotches of yellow. After a foggy start, the world came alive with activity. The migrating birds chirp and titter above while the chipmunks play and the groundhogs skitter away, rustling the leaves.
I came to a clearing of dying brush and setup camp. My tent went up with ease and I had my bed all set within minutes. I stash my bulging pack inside, which held my cooking gear, clothes and other survival necessities. I take my binoculars out, deciding it was too soon to settle in. I unravel my M&D earbuds and stick them in each ear. A moment later, an instrumental chillstep mix flowing through my mind. I wander on in the forest.
As I drew closer to the Mohican river, a cacophony of crows causes me to slow my pace. Where there’s manic crows, there’s sure to be a predator near. I ease near the river, eyes peeled high in the canopy. “Ah,” I breathe as my eyes fix on a nest, high across the river. Three bald eagles, one adult with a white head and razored yellow beak, and two younger with scattered patterns of brown and tan. I pull my binos to my eyes and I find the beautiful birds; white head, eight food wingspan, hooked beak, powerful talons gripping a thick, branch, piercing eyes trained on me.
I hold my breath and stay still. It’s not that I’m afraid, but I sure as hell don’t want to startle them into taking off. The sight transfixes me, and all I can consider is how lucky I am to experience the animate world. After awhile, I retreat, careful to make as little noise as I can. This time, I forgo the earphones and simply listen as I head back to camp. The subtle breeze whispers through the leaves a peaceful lullaby, and a profound peace settled over me.
There’s just something spectacularly peaceful about the gentle meandering of the private wood, because when you’re in the natural world, where there are no sounds of other humans, no racket being made by cars, farms or trains, you are left with the way life was meant to be. Before the stresses and anxieties, and prisons of the civilized world, there was a simple life, a fulfilling, and spiritual life. And so, thoughts such as these spawn and pass in my mind, and I wonder what we’ve done.
As I drew closer to the Mohican river, a cacophony of crows causes me to slow my pace. Where there’s manic crows, there’s sure to be a predator near. I ease near the river, eyes peeled high in the canopy. “Ah,” I breathe as my eyes fix on a nest, high across the river. Three bald eagles, one adult with a white head and razored yellow beak, and two younger with scattered patterns of brown and tan. I pull my binos to my eyes and I find the beautiful birds; white head, eight food wingspan, hooked beak, powerful talons gripping a thick, branch, piercing eyes trained on me.
I hold my breath and stay still. It’s not that I’m afraid, but I sure as hell don’t want to startle them into taking off. The sight transfixes me, and all I can consider is how lucky I am to experience the animate world. After awhile, I retreat, careful to make as little noise as I can. This time, I forgo the earphones and simply listen as I head back to camp. The subtle breeze whispers through the leaves a peaceful lullaby, and a profound peace settled over me.
There’s just something spectacularly peaceful about the gentle meandering of the private wood, because when you’re in the natural world, where there are no sounds of other humans, no racket being made by cars, farms or trains, you are left with the way life was meant to be. Before the stresses and anxieties, and prisons of the civilized world, there was a simple life, a fulfilling, and spiritual life. And so, thoughts such as these spawn and pass in my mind, and I wonder what we’ve done.
Music is such a powerful medium of mood, and an effective muse for the mind, but when I’ve had enough of the world, and all the worries that come with living in the modern civilized world, I need a break. Often, it is the wild places that heal the best. Never have I felt so at peace than when I am exploring the wild world. Almost every time I sit down to write, be it a travel story for you fine folks, or my novel, I use music to help stir the creative flow. And when the words don’t spark and flow as I hope to encourage each day, I get away from the computer screen and escape out my back door and into the forest. When I wander with music, the mood changes, as do the details that I notice. So, next time your feeling stale, or bored, or stressed and overwhelmed, explore the wild world, with music, and for peace, without.
When I’m out and about, I take my ME05 Earphones with me so that I have great sound anywhere. Especially when I’m backpacking Europe or solo camping in the woods, where weight and bulk matter, where too much of either can become a great burden… That’s when I like to cut down on space and weight with a nice set of earbuds. Most earbuds on the market have iffy construction and ‘meh’ sound quality, but my friends over at Master & Dynamic have bridged the gap between mobile-friendly and quality sound. Built to last, the ME05’s are solid brass, designed sleek and small, but fitted with superb sound and an ergonomic fit. That’s why I like them so much.
If you would like to learn more about Master & Dynamic, click here.
Article written & Photos by © Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
If you would like to learn more about Master & Dynamic, click here.
Article written & Photos by © Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
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