Taylor Quinn Experience in a Natural Setting: Nature Walk 12/3/10

I had a great time when we had class on the Nolan Trail and got to walk around. I enjoyed the experience because while I had been to the Lions Gate Bridge, I had never before walked on the trail. I loved when Dr Redick took us around and pointed out the different types of trees and plants. It was crazy to see the fish all gathered together at the drain in the bay. He encouraged us to get close and intimate with the plant and trees. We touch, smelled, and tasted the landscape around us. I as I walked with the class I allowed myself to be immersed in my interaction with the place. By the time we had stopped walking as a class and were ready to split up and go off alone for a bit I was ready to welcome anything the land had to teach me.

Tara and I walked off and we gave each other room and planned to meet up at the statue at a set time. As I walked around I touched the trees, ferns, leaves, and berries around me. I said nothing and closed my eyes for a while and listened to the world that had had just become black to me. As I walked around looking, listening, and feeling the land and watching the animals there I began to marvel at it all. It all seemed so natural to me. Everything seemed to be where it was meant to be. It all seemed natural and nothing was out of place. I then began to feel that something wasn’t right. That something was out of place in this world. I realized that what was out of place was me. I was such a stark contrast to the world I was surrounded by. The birds and the squirrels seemed to be at home and I stuck out like a sore thumb. This place was not my home or natural place of living. Yet even though it seemed that I did not belong I continued to interact with the land and it did not reject me. The place allowed me to be there and meet with it. I then saw its beauty and was taken away by the imagination and mind of God who had made all that was around me. The peace of the place calmed me and the silence gave me ease. After sometime I seemed to become part of the place and began to not seem so out of place.