Forgiveness Walks » Nature

Summer hiking on the Appalachian Trail

Regina — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:23:56 +0000

The Appalachian Trail in summer is sooo inviting! This part of the trail on Cold Mountain, in Virginia, could be sporting Maria VonTrapp singing ” the hills are alive with the sound of music!”

Feel the freshness of wind, drink in the fragrance of tall grass,breathe in, no DRINK in, crisp air and sunshine! That’s the AT! Come join me! I’m imagining all sorts of walks that could be done to rejuvenate, to reevaluate, to reeliven! To explore! To try something new!

Starting this fall, I’ll be offering short walks in the Atlanta, GA area, for tasting the wonders of walking in Nature. I’ll also start a series of online classes to entice potential long-distance hikers to the joys of staying out for one to ten days on the trails in Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. Stay tuned! If you’ve always wanted to get out hiking but didn’t know when, where, or how, this could be the program for you!

I LOVE HIKING THE AT!

In joy,

Regina

Hiking: Make it fun the first time!

Regina — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:51:00 +0000

I love my job as a Ridgerunner for the Applachian Trail Conservancy! While doing my job, I get to walk on the wonderful, beautiful Appalachian Trail every day! And that’s not even the best part. The best part is that I get to meet people at trailheads who are just considering walking this path. They’re so eager and curious to explore this legendary path.

When I speak with them, all the memories of my months of hiking come back in a flood of grandeur. That feels great! Then, I encourage them to join me, keeping three things in mind:

For your first hike:

1. Make it EASY! Choose a path that’s simple to walk. Ask for a suggestion from another hiker, check a guidebook, or check a map with elevation information.

2. Make it SHORT! Go out for a couple of hours, then a day, then an overnight. Work up gradually to a week.

3. Keep it FUN! Take along food you enjoy, a liter of water for every four hours, and come back BEFORE you’re tired.

Get started gently on your treks and you’ll be building up to longer, farther, and continually better walks. I’ll see you on the trail!

Be sure to read my previous post “A ‘Thru-hike’ beings with short walks”!

Contemplate Earth’s Beauty

Regina — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:51:33 +0000

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
— Rachel Carson

My daily walks on the Appalachian Mountain ridges of Virginia confirm the validity of Rachel Carson’s words. As an Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner for the past month, I’ve walked the same 80-mile section of this famous trail twice. I’ll start out on the same section again today, monitoring the conditions of the trail, meeting hikers both experienced and novice, and basking in the beauty of the mountains.

Indeed, the more I walk the trail, the more I feel a deep connection to enduring qualities, those expressed by Nature. In the very rocks themselves, eons of slow change hold stories formed long before history began. In the trees, season upon dependable season of patterns hold lessons of patience. In the cautious animals – the deer, the bear, the lizards – I see Nature’s totems, reminding me to embody gentleness, introspection, and adaptability.

The beauty of Nature in these mountains is limitless, only requiring my attention, my willingness to take the time to walk the pathways set aside for re-creation. I join Rachel Carson in encouraging you to create time for yourself to “contemplate the beauty of the earth” wherever you are.

What are your thoughts about the healing qualities of experiences in Nature?

In joy,

Regina

Smell Triggers Memories

Regina — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:08:35 +0000

“For the sense of smell,almost more than any other, has the power to recall memories and it’s a pity we use it so little.”
— Rachel Carson

Click here to download a 15-minute audio to awaken all five of your physical senses! It’s free!

Outside is Best!

Regina — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:47:40 +0000

Behold the glorious spring openings!

From Sandhill Cranes Overhead

Regina — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:48:52 +0000

That unmistakable warbling honk
Circling, moving in clumps and V’s
Hundreds of them overhead
Heading north – in general

Another season passed already?
Yet, it IS a season cycling around
Familiar pattern, thus consoling
Yet, new beginnings, new adventures call

Within repetition is the possibility of creation
And so go I
With gratitude for sandhill cranes living instinctually.

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Here’s a link to a site with info on Sandhill Cranes – and an audio!

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/sandhill-crane.html

Why is Walking in Nature Important?

Regina — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:18:55 +0000

I was challenged with this question yesterday. I caught my breath in response because I realized that in my heart I KNOW! It’s one of those things that I’ve never had to explain to MYSELF because I just know that walking in Nature is important. So, here’s the beginning of what might be a long discussion – at least I hope so!

What are your thoughts?

Here are a few of mine:

When I walk in Nature, even just stepping out my door, my senses open and I feel more involved in the World.
Why is it important to have my senses open? Because then my physical body is more ALIVE!
And why is that important? Because being alive is necessary for being on Earth. I have to have a living body to do that.
And why is that important? Being on Earth? Hmm. To fulfill my spiritual purpose. And that’s connecting with the Creator God Goddess, the nameless energy of all that is.