Backpacking the Buffalo River Trail
It’s been almost a year since the last time I packed up my 10 essentials and set out for a multi-day backpacking trip.
That is just too long.
And it wasn’t until I got home from four days and three nights in the woods that I realized just how much I needed it.
In the weeks leading up to the trip, I found myself stuck in an endless spiral of overstimulation:
waking up and immediately grabbing my phone for my daily doom scroll.
listening to podcasts and books anytime I was driving or showering.
watching a show (lately it’s been Friends…) while getting ready, eating lunch, making dinner, going to sleep - and sometimes even when I was warming up on my flute for the day.
Before we left for our trip down to the Buffalo River Trail, I even downloaded a few shows on my phone in case I felt desperate for distraction when we were out of cell coverage.
But on the four hour drive into the middle of nowhere, I was curious…
Could I turn off the noise and be in my own head for a few days?
It felt a bit scary, but I decided to try.
You know what I discovered?
It was incredibly refreshing.
At first, my thoughts jumbled and jumped as I hiked - briefly pausing for an audible “ooh” or “ahh” or “wow, that’s really pretty!”
Or my favorite: “oh crap… don’t fall!”
Turns out, it’s super easy to stay in the present moment when one wrong step could send you plummeting off the river bluff to your death.
But eventually, over the course of our trip, my mind calmed down enough to form coherent thought patterns.
I thought quite a bit about how I’ve been structuring my time during the work week - the projects I’m working on - and whether or not I want to keep going in the same creative direction.
I spent time each morning moving through a loving-kindness meditation:
May I be happy
May I be safe
May I be healthy
May I live in peace
And then repeated it again for my husband, my daughter, and the rest of the world.
I prayed prayers of
gratefulness for Mother Nature and the way she calms me.
for courage and help.
for the Spirit to fill me and shine through me.
This time alone to commune with my spiritual side was deeply meaningful as I walked among the dewy moss and majestic bluffs of the Buffalo River.
Above all, though…
I felt the sheer joy of being immersed in the beautiful sights and sounds of our natural world.
Other than the thirty minutes each afternoon when I hit a mental and physical wall -
(28 miles and 3700 feet of elevation gain will do that to a person)
I spent my four days in the outdoors completely distraction-free.
And you know what I learned?
My mind is a safe - and interesting - place to be.
I was pleasantly surprised when I returned home and realized I didn’t need the constant distraction that filled my days before the trip.
Instead of wasting time scrolling and mindlessly watching TV, I’ve found space for creativity - and more time outside.
Because apparently, that’s my happy place.
But I’m sure that’s no surprise to you.
When was the last time you spend a good stretch of time outside without digital distractions?
I hope you find some time this week to get out for a long walk - bike ride - maybe even a sunrise kayak on a local lake.
Mmm… actually… I think I’ll steal that last idea! :)
Hey there… thanks for being here!
I hope my adventures in nature have inspired you to find your own healing path through the outdoors.
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