Back In the Saddle

It's been too long since I've been posting.  This winter literally kicked my ass.  I think I was sick more than I was well.  On the upside, I am feeling much better and looking forward to the summer.  Over the course of the winter though I wasn't able to do much of the activities I had planned.  Illnesses aside I was just plain, no excuses...lazy.  I didn't feel like doing much.  It happens.

Anyhow I've gotten my butt back into gear and have been spending my time getting aquainted with kettlebells.  I had created an adjustable pipe kettlebell.  With it I was able to use as little or as much as I could handle, a plus.  The down side was that I had a very "shaky" handle and I could do little over head work.  This kept me to the basics of the kettlebell swing.  I was unaware of what I was missing till I finally broke down and bought a real kettlebell and started to use it.  What a difference!  I am amazed how much the body works using this simple device.

It, like much in my life, is part of my journey into minimalism.  Keeping things simple in this very complex and every changing world.  I am ridding myself of the clutter of life and downsizing my possessions.  It is all part of cleansing my soul, if you will.  I want my kids to understand that it is not about how much but, about quality and purpose.  My wife, who is the practical side of the partnership, is doing her best to stay patient with me as I myself learn these qualities.  The consumeristic side of me reaches out and says I want all to often and thankfully she is there to reel me back in at times.

I look at who we are as a society and what directions we are going in and in some aspects I am saddened by what I see.  I want my kids to grow up and be able to take their children out into the wilderness and enjoy nature, unpolluted.  I don't think this will be too much of a problem for them but, the future generations may see this as a difficult feat.  Much like going to Disney World was for my parents.  Only a certain economic class will be able to afford going and seeing the trees that used to cover the country.  I digress.

This year I am hoping to go completely minimal.  I have a few overnight hikes planned and will be working on getting back into the natural world I love and care for so much.  I have realized in the past few years since putting forth such an effort to be outdoors more that I feel better, calmer and more relaxed when I'm outside.  I'll even sit on the porch in near freezing temperatures to read sometimes just because of the calming effect it gives me.  There is something to the Native Americans' relationship with Mother Earth and the peacefulness of their culture.  Their oneness with nature and the relationship too, is something I am beginning to explore.

I look forward to this year of minimalism, Nature, and knowledge.

Winter Wanderings

There is something about walking through the woods in the middle of the winter. There is a quiet and calm under the canopy that I find minimally Zen-like. Perhaps it is the carpet of snow on the ground covering all the Earth's imperfections or that only the most dedicated are willing to endure the harsh winds that bite at the skin. Whatever the reason, the peace and tranquility is amazing and perfectly simple.

Even in the winter I am a minimalist when it comes to hiking. I still tend to wear shorts and take the minimum amount of gear I need. I do tend to wear shoes but, only for thermogenic reasons. I have been eyeing a pair of hiking shoes from BackCountry for a while now but haven't the funds to get them...yet. I think they'd be perfect for the rock terrain covered in snow and leaves and whatever else debris litters the trail. Many of the trails I tend to travel fall into one or two categories, rocky and/or steep. So I've been looking for a shoe that will keep my feet dry and warm, only for the winter mind you. I still prefer going barefoot.

I went up to Col. Denning State Park again on a weekday afternoon with a buddy of mine to go in search of a plane wreck. It seems about 30 years ago a plane had crashed into the mountain range and was just off one of the trails. It was a small plane and very little wreckage remained but it was interesting to see. The trail itself was a bit steep initially and only after a mile or so did it level off. I was shedding layers like crazy to the point of going in just my shoes and shorts, everything else around my waist. Even in the 25 degree air I was sweating profusely without a shirt on. Though every time we stopped for a breather I was soon freezing again...motivation not to stop...lol.

The top of the trail led straight to a wagon wheel of trails of which we took the trail leading to Flat Rock, one of my favorite trails. After checking into the shelter along the trail and an hour of uphill hiking we made it to the top. Though the clouds were out the view is still amazing. I was even able to get a video of some buzzards flying overhead.

I'm still entranced by the way being in nature ehances my mood and overall well being. I can understand completely where Henry David Thoreau was coming from by moving to Walden and living the life he did. It puts things into perspective.

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