Hills of green joined the moody gray and subtle blue of the sky mirroring in the still water of Lake Hope, creating a truly awe-inspiring scene before me. I drove deep into the forest before slowing to a stop. I decided to hike through to water’s edge. I slung a day pack over my shoulder and grabbed my beach chair with one hand. And as I trampled my way through the thick brush of spring, I realized there were no signs of other campers or hikers, or families stirring, only the sound of my footsteps, my breaths and my heart beating wild.
I made my way carefully down a steep stretch that opened to the water, where I simply stopped, standing still, watching as far as my eyes could see. I let my breath catch in my having chest before hiking up along the bank to the highest point. Discovering a flat perch, I unfolded my GCI Outdoor Big Surf chair and sat. I studied the edges of the forest, across the lake, looking out for wildlife. I didn’t know what I hoped to see here. 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 mirrored 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 to popup the SunShade that was built into my chair. 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 the soul.
The wind gently rippled the mirrored 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 to popup the SunShade that was built into my chair. 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 the soul.
The toiling and stresses of the modern world, of my modern life, seemed to dissolve with each passing second, and it wasn’t long before 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, low in the sky, as the songbirds flooded into the woods behind me. I laid the position of my chair backward, so I could stare up at the sky or back into the woods. The SunShade blocked the blinding light that came from the direction of my feet, and 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. It wasn’t long before something met my ears and my eyes flashed wide open.
“I know that sound,” I said aloud. The call of an adult bald eagle. And sure enough, after a moment of scanning the skies, I found her beautiful silhouette as she tore across the sky, ever so gentle and with such grace. I folded up my GCI Outdoor chair and made my way back the way I had came, and on my drive home, I felt renewed with a sharp mental focus that cut through the haze of stress that I had become accustomed to. Sometimes, all I need is to step away so I can rediscover what’s truly important in this life.
“I know that sound,” I said aloud. The call of an adult bald eagle. And sure enough, after a moment of scanning the skies, I found her beautiful silhouette as she tore across the sky, ever so gentle and with such grace. I folded up my GCI Outdoor chair and made my way back the way I had came, and on my drive home, I felt renewed with a sharp mental focus that cut through the haze of stress that I had become accustomed to. Sometimes, all I need is to step away so I can rediscover what’s truly important in this life.
GCI Outdoor is great company that specializes in producing high quality camping, beach and outdoor travel gear, like the Big Surf with SunShade that I use in my story. Not only is the Big Surf chair fitted with a brilliant shade, it also can sit in four different positions, allowing the user a wide range of seating positions, with the capability of lying flat in the sun, which is why this chair is perfect for avid beachgoers. Beyond the UPF 50 grade sun shade, the Big Surf is fitted with a hidden feature: a slide-out table with beverage holder. The frame is made of aluminum, and is built better than most beach chairs. What I love about the Big Surf is that it’s packed with features that allow it to be used for a myriad of travel experiences, but that it’s also lightweight, weighing less than 11lbs. And it folds up flat!
If you would like to find out more about GCI Outdoor, click here.
Article written & Photos by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
(Main photo by njmezmer via Flickr)
If you would like to find out more about GCI Outdoor, click here.
Article written & Photos by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
(Main photo by njmezmer via Flickr)
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