Over the past 10 years, I have spent time camping and backpacking throughout much of the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. I would like to explain to you why I believe you should also experience this at least once during your lifetime.
The Grind
It’s 4:00 am. I have managed to drag myself out of bed and into the gym to burn off some calories. I’m tired, but I know my body needs this to relieve some stress. Working in healthcare has been quite a stressful ride for the past few years. Yet even in my “alone” gym time, I’m bombarded with 10 TV screens, most of which feature a negative newscast, giving me every reason to crawl back into bed and never get back out. My heart longs for peace and solitude, but it seems so difficult to find the time to get away, even for a few days.
I think back to my most recent backpacking trip and I long to return.
Memories of backpacking
I reminisce back to the cool, crisp, fall morning, waking up in my tent just in time to see the sun rising over the horizon. Leaves rustle through the breeze. There’s a pleasant, smokey scent in my down jacket which reminds me of the night before, hanging around the campfire with a few close friends. Leaving the warmth of my sleeping quilt is a difficult task, but I am motivated by hot coffee and a bowl of savory oatmeal to start the day.
This morning there are a few coals left from the previous nights’ fire, glistening red in the firepit, so I use those coals to ignite a few small twigs and slowly build up a fire to boil some water. In a few more moments I brew some coffee and sit by the fire to sip, think, and enjoy my natural surroundings. The aroma of the coffee with the delicate pine scent in the air makes for some of my favorite memories.
I listen as the animals in the forest slowly wake up to start the day: the woodpecker as it pounds against a tree, the cackling crow, the not-so-shy blue jay, and the chirpy cardinal. This is my reminder to start loading up my backpack before the day sneaks away from me.
The hike
After meticulously packing my backpack, I strap on my hiking boots and throw on my backpack to start my day’s journey. The leaves crunch underfoot, making way for areas of pine forest where the pine needles soften the ground. I pass by a crystal-clear babbling brook and see a fish rise for a fly that sits atop the water. I cautiously jump from stone to stone to cross the brook in my best effort to avoid getting my boots wet. The use of my hiking poles gives me the balance I need.
Continuing forward
The shade of the deep forest canopy opens to a barren glade. Here in the glade, the sun beats down on me and very quickly heats my body, enough so that I can remove my jacket, even in this 40-degree weather. The large boulders and patches of moss are perfect spots to take a rest for a snack and sip of water. I am somewhat startled by a rustle a few feet away and look to find an equally startled squirrel quickly running up the tree, then turning back to catch a glimpse of me. I smile, as I watch him play up and down the tree.
Such a simple existence.
When did life get so complicated for me?
A Fresh Perspective
Life has gotten complicated for all of us over the past few years. Our “normal” way of living has been turned upside down with talk of masks, vaccines, strains of viruses, mortality, and staffing shortages. Whether we know it or not, these things weigh heavily on all of our minds. One thing I love about getting outdoors is that many of these problems seem to fade away very quickly when I get outdoors.
The noise of the city is gone. The air is clearer. People are rarely seen.
More importantly, my mind seems to become clearer. I start to think about the many blessings that God has given to me: a beautiful family, a home full of love, family, friends, freedom, and safety, just to list a few things.
I can feel the stress in my neck slowly ease away. My smile starts to return. The time of day becomes less important.
Benefits of turning off artificial life
One of my favorite things about backpacking is being out of cell phone coverage and away from our 24/7 electronic society. This means that I don’t have to respond to texts or phone calls and “urgent” messages will simply have to wait. I may listen to a podcast or audiobook, but I turn off the movies and TV shows because nature truly gives such an amazing show. Instead of watching someone else live it, I can be there and live in the moment. I become better at being quiet and still.
In the hushed stillness, freed from the clamor of distractions, I find myself attuned to a symphony of sounds that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. I learn to listen more than talk. Life seems to be coming into better focus and seems less overwhelming.
Returning home
But alas, returning home is inevitable.
Back to reality.
My drive home is filled with anticipation of seeing my family and sleeping in a soft, warm bed. My heart is full of gratitude for a new sense of purpose and a clearer vision for my future. The time away allows me to reflect on life and ensure that my long-term life goals align with my current activities. Often I realize that adjustments need to be made and this leads to fine-tuning certain aspects of my life.
I always return home a better man.
Are you ready to give it a try?
So how about you? What is holding you back? If you have physical limitations to hiking, what other steps could you take today to spend time in solitude, medications, and prayer? How are you unplugging? What steps could you take to make this more intentional for you?
Remember: invest in the simple things in life. You will be pleasantly surprised by the results.
