Viewing Nature Interactively- Sam Anderson

When on the Nolan Trial the other day an array of thoughts raced through my mind. Starting with the simple walk to the Lions Bridge to meet for class, I took in everything around me. With only a short 1.5 mile walk from campus, the scenery changed so quickly. I left academic looking building behind, then soon streets. I was on a coble stone trail with trees on either side of me. Wondering when I would reach the bridge, I kept seeing turns thinking is it right around there, however it was not. Then all of a sudden the water hits you, bam! There it is beautiful blue green water in contrast to the black asphalt and grey cement. It was mind boggling to think that this nature beauty is so close to campus. I have been going to school here for over a year, and if someone asked me how close we are to the water, I would not think of this river. I would tell them that the there is Yorktown beach 20 minutes away. To live so close to the James River and never take advantage of it seems like a waste. I feel I have been treading on a sacred place but at that moment I entered it, just like Lanes axiom. Once we began walking the trail as a class, plants were pointed out and explained. The one that made the biggest impact to me was the Dogwood tree. It is our state tree and I have known this information since elementary school when they drilled state information in my head, but I have never seen a Dogwood in real life. The state tree right there in front of me; looking like any other tree. After walking for about half a mile and receiving a good ten bug bites the class disperses to walk on their own. Listening to the sound of my footsteps I can hear the slight difference in walking on rocks versus walking on hard mud stand. Or, if my feet drift off into the grass portion of the trail I feel the unevenness of the surface. The land becomes more than just a beautiful sight but a feeling from the feet up. Captivating your senses saying “you are with nature.” However, as the walk progress back, less tress are seen and the roads come into view. Next comes the academic building and what do you know the separation from natures and back to academia has become relevant, but that faint remembrance of the Nolan Trail in embedded in my brain. Knowing that at any time I can take a quick walk down the way and be reunited once again.