Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Wide Open Spaces









Last weekend we visited the badlands of the Bisti Wilderness. Upon arrival we parked and were faced with a barbed wire fence. Beyond that: wilderness. The little man said, with a hint of trepidation in his voice, "Where is the trail?" After explaining that there was no trail, just wide open country, there was an uneasy feeling in both kids as we headed out. They stayed a bit closer than usual and asked many questions about how we would find our way back.

In all of the hiking we had done in Nova Scotia there had been either a well defined path, or at the least, an oceans edge to follow. There were occasions that we ventures "off trail." But we never went too far and always talked about looking back to see where you came from on a regular basis to look for small markers or trees along your path. Seeing your personal trail from the other point of view would help you find your way back. This is, of course, a valuable lesson no matter where you are.

As we hiked in this new wilderness we had the same discussions. This time using the large geologic features around us as markers. We talked about what made each feature unique and continued to look back and keep them in sight as we moved along to the next feature we had picked as a destination in the distance. Truth be told we did not hike all that far. As adults it was easy to gain perspective and find our way back without much trouble. But I can only imagine as a child seeing all that wide open space in front of you, when your experience has been the much more safe feeling of the forest trail without that very long view, it would make one a bit uneasy. And they stayed close.

I started to think about how this applied to life. There is safety in following the well trodden path. When hiking trails the kids would venture just a little ways ahead, just out of view around the corner, knowing that we would soon follow in their footsteps. The trail gave them security and freedom all at the same time. I suppose that is how one feels in life taking roads well traveled, fulfilling expectations of others, matching up to societal norms. A bit of security and because of that security a wee bit of freedom to experiment and test... as long as it is not too far!

And so there are limits.

As we hiked on we looked at rocks, spied the occasional ant, and marveled in the discovery of green plant life. The small details of this amazing landscape brought it to life. But this wide open landscape had deeper gifts to offer than the simple learning of the geology, flora, and fauna. The possibility it holds to make your own path, pave your own way, is powerful. It is something these little people have been told, and on the limited scale of their own individual learning have experienced, but the physical experience of this place was a revolution. They may not know it yet, but experiencing the long view is a valuable lesson in seeing what is ahead and working to get there. While at the same time not getting lost along the way. Keeping your markers in sight. And remembering where you came from, and if need be, how to get back.

And so there are still limits. But these are limits you set. Your own personal markers of your own choosing.

Have you ever felt the freedom offered by both the well beaten path and the wide open possibilities of blazing your own trail?

14 comments:

  1. beautiful words <3

    i think those markers are what i strive to give my boys when i’m mentoring them — i don’t want to just throw them out into the world and make them figure it all out for themselves, but neither do i want to give them detailed instructions for their journey. i want to teach them how to navigate and provide them with a few signposts so they can find their own way.

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    1. Thank you Lori!
      I love this: "i want to teach them how to navigate and provide them with a few signposts so they can find their own way."

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  2. Wonderful post, I love the analogy to life. The first time I went to Utah I couldn't get used to there not being trails, just the little piles of stones here and there to mark our way. The second time when I took the girls, I was a fanatic. Like you said, here we follow the trails or the ocean or a river and I don't mind if they get a little ahead. The one thing I did learn when we were there was how much my youngest loves to rock climb. I knew they climbed the rocks on the ocean in Nova Scotia, but these were biiiig climbs and my youngest kept saying don't hold me...don't hold me while I hyperventilated.

    I love the big skies out west. The wide open spaces. There is such a feeling of...possibility. I remember standing at the top of a climb with nothing around and just being overwhelmed by possibility and a closeness to the outside world.

    But like you said, it's nice to return home. By the end of the trip I was longing for the green and lushness of home.

    One of the best things I think we can give our children is a range of experiences and some freedom to explore it in safe hands.

    Thanks for this.

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    1. Thanks Jennifer!
      I can see why this place was so attractive to folks who came out west to "settle." It does seems to hold the open door of possibility!
      Yes. The rock climbing/hopping in Nova Scotia is a whole other world... although I must admit some of those coastal location gave me reasons to hyperventilate with the little people. I was just envisioning myself jumping in the great vast ocean to pull them out! ;-)
      Standing there on the edge of the sea has a sense of possiblity as well but it is a much differnt feeling to know that with one foot in front of the other you can get out there in that great beyond... no boat required!
      How did I miss the Nova Scotia connection? Don't think I have heard you mention it before.

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  3. It's beautiful Dawn and looks so freeing, does that make sense? I love how open everything is and the feeling of 'space' it gives.

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    1. That does make sense! It has been a wonderful feeling to see, really SEE, the wide open spaces. There are very few views to be had, of this magnitude, in the northern forests.

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  4. This looks magical. I think the path feels safe and yet the wilderness has so much to teach us...thank you for these lovely words. XO

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    1. Thank you Christina!
      Indeed. I find myself wanting to be on that safe path sometimes but know there is so much to learn out there... off that beaten path!

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  5. This is beautiful! Such a stunning spot and what a wonderful way to unite the paths we decide to follow.

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    1. Thank you Kim! This move has been an interesting time of connections.

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  6. This was my whole childhood! I spent untold amount of hours out in the open mesa. My dad lived 30 miles from the nearest town and 5 miles from the nearest paved road out in the open plains near the VLA. When I lived with my mom and Grandparents we lived at what is now the Petroglyph National Monument. They kicked us out!

    I spent my childhood finding indian ruins and picking up shards looking for arrowheads. Listening to the silence. Don't you love the silence out there?

    You are such a wonderful guide for your children! I hope when my girls are older I can be such a good mentor to them.

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    1. Wow KC! I knew you grew up in these parts but I had know idea! What an amazing story you have to tell!
      Thank you for your kind words.
      You are a wonderful mentor to your girls and taking them on an amazing journey that will change the course of their lives. I can only think in the best of ways!

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  7. Dawn! I am so horribly behind on all blog reading and tonight I came across this new space of yours via a wonderful introduction to Kindred (my friend, Emily...from our time together in Sicily has a piece posted up there yesterday).It is funny to see how things wind and twist in wonderful synchronicity.

    Now I am off to read more and try to figure out if you made a big move or just off a wonderful adventure. Lots of catching up to do, but so glad to re-connect.

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    1. Hey Lucia!
      So happy you found me here!
      Yep. We finally made the move back out west.
      Emily's writing is wonderful. How great that you know each other! I have only just met here through Kindred.
      So happy to re-connect as well!

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