Nature vs. Technology

It is no secret that us, humans, are always plugged in and always have the newest, “greatest” technology. Recently, I have read A Walk in the Woods, written by Bill Bryson, as well as watched the movie rendition of the novel. A Walk in the Woods, written by Bill Bryson. With no outdoor experience, Bryson originally planned on hiking the entire 2,200-mile trail in one season, starting in Georgia and ending in Maine. Bryson enlists his childhood friend, Stephen Katz to accompany him on his trek. The book documents the duos’ journey on the trail. 

My boyfriend and I went one Sunday afternoon to see the movie rendition of the book. At the conclusion of the movie, I was ready to hike the trail (with Bryson and Katz in the novel, of course) and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I thought the actors the producers choose did an amazing job portraying the characters. Also, the fly-over scenes were breath-taking. I disappointed in the unrealistic green screening demonstrated. My boyfriend, who I went to see the movie with, reminded me that it might not be possible to bring a crew and equipment on to the trail on step cliffs. But with technology and advances in the movie industry, I felt the producers could have pick a different place on the trial, a different location, or a better green screening background!

I read and finished the novel of the course of the following couple days. I laughed at some parts, imagining specific scenes in which were included within the movie rendition. However, at the conclusion of the novel, I felt disappointed and highly ticked that the film version had a different ending than the novel. I felt the book offered information about the history of the trail where as the movie rendition was geared towards the comedy seen within the covers of the novel. I feel like those whom will not read and will simply see the movie rendition will miss out on the significant depth Bryson spends talking about specific issues with American culture, technology. 

            

One of the specific issues Bryson spoke to was technologies enclosing on the until recently “off the grid” culture of the Appalachian Trail. In A Walk in the Woods, Bryson begins describing a situation in which he comes in contact with another hiker whom was carrying a handheld electronic device in which he was taking mysterious readings of the sky or landscape. Bryson instead expresses his hate of technology he has found on the Appalachian trail and how now hikers are traveling with laptop computers and modems to communicate daily reports back to their friends and family. Technology is very much prevalent more so in today’s society compared to when Bryson traveled the trail. Our society has a difficult time going off the grid, always checking into social media.

I find myself checking social media when I am out. When I am among nature, however, I will gladly take pictures of nature around me. It is difficult, particularly, for my generation to go off the grid. However, nature should be observed through the naked eye and not through the lenses of the latest and greatest smartphone.

Round Two. Nature vs. Technology. Who will come out on top?

Source: Bryson, Bill. A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail. New York: Broadway, 1998. Print.

Moon Walking

Growing up, my family never went camping. My brother and I would “camp” in our backyard for the afternoon, coloring or playing, in our tent in the front yard. Sometimes my brother and I would camp in our living room, which turned into a brief attempt to sleep in the tent at night.

Fast-forward to 15 years later, here I am getting ready to embark on my first camping trip. I was eager. My boyfriend’s sister had prepared a list of items necessary for the journey ahead. I would be camping alongside my boyfriend and his mom for the weekend along with family friends from from church. Our caravan would be headed down to Turkey Run State Park in Indiana. We embarked on our journey at 9am and jogged our way through the states to our destination. Upon arriving at the park, we checked in and arrive at our campground in the midst of running to be a rainstorm. I, at first, reluctantly, switched my phone to airplane mode in hopes of preserving my battery. We quickly set up our shelters before settling in at a campfire. After the campfire, the families returned to their campsites for a full nights rest before we embarked on our hiking journey.

The night rain had left a haze on the campsite and a cool breeze. The temperature was set to hit around 85. Our crew decided to embark on our hike around 10, in hopes of beating the day’s heat. We set out in hopes of completing a 1.5 mile hike. The views were breath taking, unlike anything I had seen before. Our group climbed across a suspension bridge, climbed up slippery waterfalls, and descended down old-rugged ladders. 4 hours away, and I felt like I was a world away. While on the hike, I vowed to enjoy the sights with my eyes, and not through the lens of my camera. 5 hours and a 3 mile hike later, our group retired to our campsites and the bathhouses to wash up for dinner before another storm threatened our night plans of a fire.

The rain threatened the tent with its infiltration. We awoke to wet tents and blankets. We began to break down camp when another rainstorm rolled in. My boyfriend’s mom and I worked on breaking down the inside of the tent while my boyfriend modeled his rain wear, walking on the moon(or grass). 

Moon Walkin'

After tents were broken down and goodbyes we said, we all loaded back in our cars and headed towards reality. I waited to switch my phone back on. It was nice to get off the grid for a couple days, enjoy the company of nature and the individuals around me. I dream of next year to walk the same paths and have a freeing experience among nature.

What Do We Give Nature?

I was under the impression I was just going to a family friend’s parent’s farm. I was going to simply relax among friends while my boyfriend’s mom went for her helicopter ride. We would stay for a couple hours and then head back home to the hustle and bustle of the city. Assumptions.

Upon arriving, I was overwhelmed at the simple beauty of the grounds. Weather worn barns, rolling hills, a nearby creek, and a garden filled to the brim with vegetables. No stress and no worries…

Nature gives me,  

A breath of Fresh Air. A chance to get away from the homework and paper grind. Rediscover the childhood wonder of exploring and wandering. Nothing simpler: laced up shoes, rolling hills, a hand to hold, and an adventure to be had.

Nature gives me,

A simple outing. A breath of fresh air. A chance to run and explore. A chance to enjoy the last few moments of summer before the cold weather comes to stay. 

That is what nature gives us. What do we give nature? The “gift” of our presence?

Walking on Thin Ice

To quote the boy in A Christmas Story, "I can't put my arms down". BRR! 

Living in Michigan, I thought I had experienced the most of what the lakes had to offer; the ability to cool off on a hot day, playing in the sand and building sand castles, and playing in the waves before a storm hits. However, living by Lake Michigan allowed me to experience something I had never done nor I thought was possible.

One February Sunday(very cold) afternoon after church, my boyfriend and I ventured out to Holland for a day of winter fun and to experience something he promised he would take me to do before the snow melted. We walked downtown Holland, admiring the ice sculptures on the sidewalks and window shopped. We enjoyed Froyo before venturing off to Tunnel Park to see the waves before the sun set. 

Walking out of the tunnel, the view was breath taking. As we descended, it was hard to take in everything around us. How could something so huge become frozen? I was in awe. And the thrill of walking on “thin” ice was incredible.

 And to look at the shore, and feel small.

We are small in the world. A simple wave in the ocean. Frozen in the daily routine. Maybe it is time people stop and take time to walk on thin.