Seeing

Nature will not be admired by proxy. ~Winston Churchill

Skyward

 

 

This tree stands along the Morganfield road or Highway 60, a scenic byway in Kentucky.  It seems to draw the eyes of the viewer skyward.  Though its life is complete it stands and is a continuing stately part of its place.   The sky over it always seems to have a beautiful color for this place.

Green leaves - a miracle

 

 

“People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child -- our own two eyes. All is a miracle.”
― Thích Nhất Hạnh

This image is from the Cumberland Trail in Tennesse where there are steep rock outcrops and wind swept bluffs.

The Weeks Act and the Eastern Forests

 

 

Daniel Boone National Forest - Redbird Unit

The forests and parks we have now came after struggles.  The Congress and authors and prominent citizens debated the idea of setting aside land for protection of water resources and the enjoyment of the people.  John Muir and Giford Pinchot were a part of it.  The Weeks Act was a watershed event in this land's history.  Were it not for the Weeks Act there would be no Daniel Boone National Forest, Nantahala National Forest or Cherokee National Forest. John Muir said the struggle would go on.  What needs to be done in our time?

This image is from the Redbird area of the Daniel Boone National Forest where there are large American Beech trees.  The land that became the Daniel Boone National Forest was once bare of trees over wide areas of the landscape.  Like most of the places that became the eastern national forests the land was bare of trees and blackened from fires.

But in the these tracts of land with hills and valleys were old growth trees.  These stately trees survived the ax through the wide lumbering times before the Weeks Act.  When the Forest Service amnounces timber sales sometimes the sale areas include the locations of these old growth trees.  Sadly our woods become the poorer for the loss of these old growth denizens.

On your journey

 

Blanton Forest

 

“As Thoreau famously said, it doesn't matter where or how far you go - the farther commonly the worse - the important thing is how alive you are. Writing of every kind is a way to wake oneself up and keep as alive as when one has just fallen in love.”
-Pico Iyer
You can be sleepwalking through your journey or you can be attentive to what you see on your journey. You can see by practicing sensing.

The comparison - a leaf of grass

I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars. ~Walt Whitman

Meditation

 

 

There are places that inspire.  Places that are good for mediation.  This photograph was taken in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Laurel County. This area is on the East side of the Rockcastle River.

Japan's concept

In Japan citizens enjoy Shinrin-yoku.  This is forest bathing.  This is a day walk in the woods.  In Japan forest bathing is believed to be healthful and enjoyable.  Materials from the living forest are believed to be health enhancing for those who go into the forest.

Being awake

"Only that day dawns to which we are awake.”
― Henry David Thoreau

Those who mourn

From the Cumberland Trail, Tennessee

Going out into the woods is a solace for those who mourn. The experience of trees is a solace to those with unrequited grief.  There are real benefits to the act of going into the woods for the person that is mourning. The act of taking steps on the soil is a productive activity. When the leg holds up the body the earth provides the structure that helps the person that is walking. For those who mourn this can be a path to a better outlook. 
   
This image is from the Cumberland Trail near I-75 in Tennessee.  Along the Cumberland Trail there are steep rock outcrops and wind swept bluffs.

 

 

Kentucky is calling

Harlan County, Kentucky

You can begin your Kentucky journey with these fine folks. http://adventureblog.kentuckytourism.com/
These folks give you many ideas about experiencing the beauty of Kentucky.  Can you take it all in?

The image here is from Knobby Rock in Harlan County.

This is the morning of creation.

Let nature speak to you.

Beauty for the common man

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some people write that honoring the great scenes like the waterfalls of the Sierras in California is to raise up the places that wealthy people have the means to see. Low income people could struggle to see some of the land's great public places. Low income people could struggle to experience what these places have to offer. This is one of the great debates of our day. I understand it and I would like to hear what others think about it. I agree with getting out whatever the opportunity.

See what you can, first locally and then regionally. Plan to see more.

Theodore Roosevelt said, "The Grand Canyon fills me with awe. It is beyond comparison—beyond description; absolutely unparalleled throughout the wide world... Let this great wonder of nature remain as it now is. Do nothing to mar its grandeur, sublimity and loveliness. You cannot improve on it. But what you can do is to keep it for your children, your children's children, and all who come after you, as the one great sight which every American should see."

See what you can. See this land. Begin as soon as you can.