Escape

            When I was a teenager, I had three secret areas on my parents’ property that I would escape to in order to think. The first area wasn’t all that secret, but it was secluded and I could sit on a log and no one could see me behind the trees. It was perfect for daydreaming. The second area was a little more secret; I had used branches to hide it from prying eyes, making the area look like a super thick copse. It was perfect for planning. The third area was hard to get to, making it extremely secret, but with a set of observant eyes, anybody could find me. The hiding spot was at the top of a tree. It was perfect for disappearing.

            We all have a place we can go where the world ceases to exist and time is irrelevant; a place where we can reevaluate our thoughts and figure out the puzzles in our lives. Nature and the outdoors have always afforded a sanctuary for my busy mind. A quiet room in my house is not enough sometimes. Just knowing that my cell phone could ring at any given time can be nerve-wracking. Every now and again I like to know that I am completely alone with my self. Perspectives and emotions can change when given enough time to consider them. I like giving myself time to think out my personal convictions and desires.

            My cousin recently remarked that he is going to “go off the grid” this summer, which means he is going to take his family on a camping trip and make sure that any electronic devices are left where they belong: with the civilized world. This is something I try to do every day, but work always gets in the way. It has always been a dream of mine to take a backcountry backpacking trip for a week or so and forget about all of the complicated problems of my normal life. I want to worry about one thing: survival. And perhaps when the next s’more break will be.

            I love the simplifying effect that nature seems to have on me. For example, I normally check the Internet twenty times a day for any new national or local news. When I’m on a hike or camping or just hiding in a grove of trees, I really don’t care to know up-to-the-minute details about anything, and instead I start thinking about how wonderful life is. I can let all of my built-up stress into the open blue sky like a bunch of balloons. Unfortunately, the balloons always pop as they’re flying over my house, and when I get home, there they are, waiting for me again. But at least I was free of them for a little while.

            I look forward to revisiting many of my favorite trails and hidden valleys this summer. Each one is waiting for me with a specific thought or reflection, and though I won’t be able to return to every location, I’ll most likely choose the ones that give me the most to ponder and enjoy. The best therapist out there is often the one that always listens but never responds: Mother Nature.