Camping is one of the few times I can completely relax.
It's not my only outdoor activity -- I like to ride my bike, paddle my kayak and go for walks. But there's just something about being tucked away in a forest or mountain, far from cell phone signals and Wi-Fi zones, that gives me a license to truly kick back.
The breeze rustling the trees, the chipmunks scurrying about and the dapple of sunlight reflected on a lake remind me I need to slow down. Life is best appreciated at a slower pace.
My urges to be productive diminish and I notice things I usually pay no mind to. A colony of ants hard at work, the cool pattern in the bark of a tree.
Thank goodness, I think, that there's a whole world out here, even though we don't participate in it as much anymore, thanks to computers, HDTV and all the other electronic gadgets and chores clamoring for our time and attention.
But a new study, released yesterday by The Nature Conservancy, confirms what many folks have suspected for some time now. We aren't enjoying the outdoors as much as we used to.
Visits to National Parks are down, as are the amounts of time people spend fishing, camping and hiking.
Are you guilty of not enjoying the natural world around us? Do you care?
I care! I can't wait to go camping again this summer. Hey I didn't know u were going to argentina for 2 wks. hope ur back in time for lily's baptism march 2nd. have fun!
I also care. Being inside and sedentary for for too long drives me crazy! I am probably guilty of not supporting that parks though. I tend to go where I am comfortable. Maybe that is a good goal to have this summer, try out some new parks.
you are right on about camping!...especially at deep creek. :) i do wish i could get out doors more...
I love camping! We hope to go camping with Madeleine this summer.