Your Inner Child

 Why does it take your kids to make you see things in their eyes. Example. When your child see a cloud and tell you they see a bird and you see just a cloud or when a child sees a stream flowing under a rock and make boats out of twigs and have little races and you see just a stream flowing or when the touch a leaf and tell you it feels like a soft feather and you feel just a leaf, or when they hear a bird singing a pretty song and you just hear a bird.

I took my kids and their cousins for a walk in the woods a few days ago and while walking they were just amazed of what they were seeing and where discussing their world only a child would understand. As I was walking and listening to them talk,I actually really listened to them and heard what they said.

I actually begun to relaxed and then felt what they where saying and experienced what they where. I can honestly say I haven’t felt that way in a very long time and I really for a short time felt like what they did.

It is truly amazing how my kids helped me to understand the world in a nice and beautiful place instead of violence,death,and corruption in this world and I hope they won’t see the world in that way.But, I know that as they grow older that they will.

My goal in life is to slow down and listen to my children more,so as they grow older.They can inspire in their children that the world is still in deed a wonderful place.

Why Backpack?

 Ever since I heard about the flooding in the midwest, I got a little concerned because my hiking partner haven’t responded in a couple of days. Luckily he lives a little North of the flooding and got alot of rain but little flooding in his area.

 He was busy getting ready for a canoe trip and haven’t been home much is why he hasn’t wrote.

 Today, He said he was still ready to do the 75 mile Quehanna Trail Loop with me and he plans on waiting for me to show up at the trail head. I still would’ve gone even if he couldn’t since this trail been on my mind for two years and I would give anything to take this personial challange

Most people would say 75 miles with a backpack and why. What about the wild animals? What if you get hurt? How well do you know the person? Where did you meet this person? What if they kill you?

 I will say this in my honest way possible. I really enjoy just being able to get off the most beaten path,where only few people has gone. The tourist traps has gotten so out of hand with junk they are selling and no upkeeping the land around the trap. I am so sick of dealing with rude people ,who don’t care about the property also and litter/destroy the area and desecret the whole area. Don’t get me wrong I have visited many tourist traps myself.

I really like going in the deep woods away from the hustle bustle of everyday living and forget about the everyday stress of life.The sound of the woods like the gentle breezes through the tree leaves is like a calming soothing voice that lets your mind wander to happier thoughts. The smell of mother earth as she is growing and dying at the same time has a energy to itself. Listening to the gentle brooks and streams is totally relaxing. The sounds and sights of the bugs and critters in their domain is so fun to watch as they live their simple life of survivial and playfulness. The sun warming up the day and being able to feel the warming power of the sun is like an energizing force on a cool morning.

I love just watching the views from over a mountain cliff and feeling like the top of the world and then being in a valley feeling like I am the smallest thing on the planet.

When I get done with a trip,I feel like i conquered the world and sp at peace with myself that it takes me a couple of days to get back in the grind of life. Don’t get me wrong but living everyday just working,paying the bills and busy with lifes clutter. I can’t wait to get back into the woods.

The question about wild animals and getting hurt out in the woods is no different then being around your own house. Its just that you have to be more aware of whats happening around you and know how animals are to be able to protect them and you from harm. You just have to remember the animals were in the woods before you and they trust you to let them live their lives.

The one question about the people ,I have hike is by forums and yes,we talk back and forth for a long time getting to know each other before meeting on the trail. We all in the same reason and that is being able to relax and have fun and still acheive our personal goal in life. Most dangerous people are usually not that far in the woods and you are more likely run into them on the roads.

Yes,I really believe that while backpacking. You set your personal goal and are able to sort out the stress of life and arrange them into easier bits. You also got to let your imagination go so you can watch an ant carry that piece of food,the spider spinning its web,The hawks /eagles floating on air thermals,the squrriels playing in the leaves,and so worth.

I really have a hard time able to see the same thing at home and still get the same feeling for it then while out on the trails.

So,If you want inner peace,see the unspoiled sights,nature at work,personal goal achievement and meet alot of people,who enjoys god’s work. Go Backpacking feel your gods power at work.

 

 

Car camping vrs Backpacking

When I was growing up.My family did a lot of campground camping and yea I did enjoy being around people but I always felt surrounded and close in. But, I enjoy just going out Backpacking/Hiking with myself or with a few folks for the simple reason of getting out and enjoying nature.

I am not condemning car camping cause since I have kids,I didn’t want to shove the idea of walking long distances with heavy packs to camp. I figure I can get the kids on a few adventures for the day and still have a place to rest and relax without being in the open country.

I do like to Backpack and hope to walk many many trails every year,but with the responsibilities of the family and work,It is hard to do. So I do try and plan 1 or 2 big trips a year and then settle for small day hikes with the kids,go geocaching with the kids,and yes, I did promise them one weekend of fun in a park in a shelter for Bpers and a small easy walk for them to see,if they would like to progress farther in the woods. I would like for my kids to enjoy the same things that I do but I want them to know its their idea wither they want to or not.

I have bp all over Spruce Knob MT,Wv, Dolly Sods Wilderness Area,Wv,Raccoon Creek S.P. Loop,North Fork Mt Trail, Wv and hopefully in a few days the Quehanna Trail ,Pa. (Trip Report later). I have done 26 miles of the Greenbrier River Trail,Wv.

I have dayhiked in many places but a few are Blackwater Falls S.P. to Cannaan Valley S.P. via the allegheny trail, Parts of Reyerson station S.P.,alot of Wv/Pa gameland either fishing or geocaching.

  The car camping thing is still feel uncomfortable about but I think I could bear that if the campgrounds weren’t crowded. But, as You can tell I love being outdoors and camping in a small group setting.

 

 

Outdoor Learning Blog under construction

Hello, All outdoor Folks. I wanted to start a blog for a while and now want to get this started. I hopefully can break things down to which catergories related to what outdoor activities. I am no way a professionial person,but I am willing to share my ideas and what I learned to everyone and everyone does the same.

So all please be patient with me,while I am learning to set up the blog page and getting things organized.