A couple of weeks ago I was hiking my favorite trail in Umstead State Park – the Company Mill Trail. It’s shaped like a balloon on a string, 6 miles total. I’d gone 5 miles and had gotten to my favorite spot – big rock slabs along Crabtree Creek where you can sit and watch and listen to the water burble over submerged rocks. Think big thoughts. Or think nothing at all. Just settle into the surroundings.
No one else was there. I was completely enjoying the tranquility and beauty.
And then, after only about a minute of this serenity, I started hearing voices, lots of them. “Well, #!%&,” I thought. “There goes the calm.” I turned my head and saw what appeared to be a whole neighborhood descending on my spot. Small people, very loud. Squeals, exclamations. Smiles and laughter.
But get this – turns out it was a birthday party for a 6-year-old girl. And it was HER idea to have the party right there. To hike a mile down, play at the creek, then hike back up the hill. What a great kid! What great parents!
I’m willing to give up my tranquility any day if it means that little kids are connecting to the outdoors at that moment.
You know all those kids are going to soon say, “Mom, Dad, can we go back to that trail with the creek and the rocks again? That was fun!”
That’s exactly what we want to see – children developing a lifelong love and respect for nature that sustains their health and their quality of life.