From the Bottom of the Bucket

          Into The Woods

October brings one off my favorite rituals, the return to Mother Earth for renewal.

This annual journey has taken many paths over the past twenty plus years, but always with the same intent: strengthen my body and soul and replenish my bond of friendship with those people who share the same reverence for the great outdoors and all that it represents.  I have been in most of the national parks and they are awe inspiring, but my spirit always returns to Kentucky’s Red River Gorge, a place of limitless inspiration.

There are normally four trips, two in the spring and two in the fall.   Each of these trips is accompanied by different friends.   This year’s fall trips were no exception.   The first trip was an “expedition” level trip, which is “off trail” (not a marked or maintained trial).  This approach requires you carry all you will need for three days on your back, as well as navigate with map, compass and GPS.

 

 

I took the trip with my longtime friend Greg Smith and Mother Nature added to the challenge with mid eighty temperatures on day one and a twelve hour rain on day two.  I learned a great deal about what my capabilities are and the limits that come with them.

 

The second trip was a “basecamp” trip (we call it car camping) where we set up in a campground and day hike.  The luxury of a cooler (with real food) a stove, water and cut wood allow us to focus our energy on the experience rather than the trek. 

 

I took a newbie with me, Rodney New (no pun intended) and savored the enjoyment of sharing my favorite spots, while he taught me how to cook pork chops on a Coleman stove, and yes some Kentucky bourbon was sipped to the sounds of Rodney’s guitar music around the campfire.

 

I am often asked why I would do such things.  I often smile to myself, thinking how can I answer such a question?  Well, I am going to try.  First, we live in a world of comfort that is all too easy to take for granted; Running water, hot upon demand, food easily available, packaged and ready to cook on appliances that work with the flip of a switch.  Warm rooms, heated (or cooled) effortlessly by a thermostat, soft beds, covered in sumptuous bedding. Yet, we take these items for granted barely giving thought to the Vigor they free up to be applied to our other Roles.  A few days in the woods, brings your appreciation back to where it should always be and reminds you that you need to be purposeful in how you use the liberated Vigor.

I am not a religious man, but I am deeply spiritual.  Watching a sunset in the backcountry is one of the best ways I know of to remind myself of the “big picture”.  Just feeling the profound silence of the vastness is enough to renew your balance and sense of place in the universe.  To have such a moment, one must remove all the distractions that our civilized life affords; cell phones, television, automobiles, computers and all the other “plugged in” comforts each undermine the stillness of your core and produce static that inhibits the messages of your heart.

 

Finally, there is no better way to enhance the depth of a friendship than to spend three straight days with someone under the spell of The Great Mother Earth.  When the time comes for you to call on the resource of Friends, there will be a rich supply because of your efforts to strengthen your relationships.

Now that is true wealth!

Until next month, I wish you fulfillment.

 

Bob

 

 

 

From the Bottom of the Bucket

          Into The Woods

October brings one off my favorite rituals, the return to Mother Earth for renewal.

This annual journey has taken many paths over the past twenty plus years, but always with the same intent: strengthen my body and soul and replenish my bond of friendship with those people who share the same reverence for the great outdoors and all that it represents.  I have been in most of the national parks and they are awe inspiring, but my spirit always returns to Kentucky’s Red River Gorge, a place of limitless inspiration.

There are normally four trips, two in the spring and two in the fall.   Each of these trips is accompanied by different friends.   This year’s fall trips were no exception.   The first trip was an “expedition” level trip, which is “off trail” (not a marked or maintained trial).  This approach requires you carry all you will need for three days on your back, as well as navigate with map, compass and GPS.

 

 

I took the trip with my longtime friend Greg Smith and Mother Nature added to the challenge with mid eighty temperatures on day one and a twelve hour rain on day two.  I learned a great deal about what my capabilities are and the limits that come with them.

 

The second trip was a “basecamp” trip (we call it car camping) where we set up in a campground and day hike.  The luxury of a cooler (with real food) a stove, water and cut wood allow us to focus our energy on the experience rather than the trek. 

 

I took a newbie with me, Rodney New (no pun intended) and savored the enjoyment of sharing my favorite spots, while he taught me how to cook pork chops on a Coleman stove, and yes some Kentucky bourbon was sipped to the sounds of Rodney’s guitar music around the campfire.

 

I am often asked why I would do such things.  I often smile to myself, thinking how can I answer such a question?  Well, I am going to try.  First, we live in a world of comfort that is all too easy to take for granted; Running water, hot upon demand, food easily available, packaged and ready to cook on appliances that work with the flip of a switch.  Warm rooms, heated (or cooled) effortlessly by a thermostat, soft beds, covered in sumptuous bedding. Yet, we take these items for granted barely giving thought to the Vigor they free up to be applied to our other Roles.  A few days in the woods, brings your appreciation back to where it should always be and reminds you that you need to be purposeful in how you use the liberated Vigor.

I am not a religious man, but I am deeply spiritual.  Watching a sunset in the backcountry is one of the best ways I know of to remind myself of the “big picture”.  Just feeling the profound silence of the vastness is enough to renew your balance and sense of place in the universe.  To have such a moment, one must remove all the distractions that our civilized life affords; cell phones, television, automobiles, computers and all the other “plugged in” comforts each undermine the stillness of your core and produce static that inhibits the messages of your heart.

 

Finally, there is no better way to enhance the depth of a friendship than to spend three straight days with someone under the spell of The Great Mother Earth.  When the time comes for you to call on the resource of Friends, there will be a rich supply because of your efforts to strengthen your relationships.

Now that is true wealth!

Until next month, I wish you fulfillment.

 

Bob