Blog v. Nature

It's been a while since I've sat down and blogged. The gap is a product of a beautiful summer and my unwillingness to spend it inside. We've walked, we've played, we've hiked, we've camped...we've taken the time to enjoy this rare treat of a long span of fair weather. It's one of those things so easily taken for granted and I can't imagine passing up the opportunity to enjoy it, in favor of a computer screen.

One of the things I've most enjoyed about this summer is spending time near the water. There's really nothing like sitting, feet in a cool lake, staring out at the view. Birds fly overhead, mountains rise up in the distance, and an occasional kayaker paddles by, causing small ripples in the surface. A nice breeze completes the scene, which truly has to be felt to be appreciated. I've taken numerous pictures & videos, trying to memorialize these events, but they pale in comparison to the real thing. You just can't capture the sounds and smells of nature as a whole, or appreciate the way the sun flickers off the waves. Digital video, though impressive of late, still lacks perspective and the ability to surround you in a moment.

One rule we have for camping is that, unless it's raining, we maintain a media-free atmosphere. This is necessary, as the whole purpose of camping is to dive in to nature, something that is not easily accomplished when distracted by fast-paced electronics. Nature, at it's core, has to be felt. It's a slower pace, an easy gait, and a willingness to be immersed in the simplicity which sustains us as human beings. It's not until you enter it with a clear mind that you begin to see the importance of those small bits of our Earth, which get forgotten in a complex world. This rule has met with some resistance as the children have gotten older. But, as we've found every time, by the end of the trip, no one notices their WiFi missing or that there's no cell signal anywhere in the park. We just want to be outside.

In the end, there really is no Blog v. Nature debate, though it makes for a catchy title. Nature will win every time, if you allow it the chance. And, that's okay with me. Because, I know winter will come eventually, and so will the blogs.