Summary

Krista Bennett shares a personal narrative of a rejuvenating walk through her woods in northern Illinois, capturing the beauty of nature through photographs and reflecting on the grounding experience of connecting with the outdoors.

Abstract

In an article titled "A Walk in the Woods," Krista Bennett eloquently describes the therapeutic experience of wandering through the forest on her property. She emphasizes the humbling effect of nature, which helps her to decompress and find perspective as a small part of a larger whole. During her walk, she encounters various natural wonders, including Pheasant Back Mushrooms, a curious opossum, and a serene fawn. Bennett also shares her joy in discovering new sights, such as unique field flowers and a mysterious log with unknown markings. Although she usually leaves technology behind, she's glad to have brought her phone to capture these moments. The article includes personal anecdotes, such as her initial hesitation to photograph the fawn, and it concludes with an invitation to join Medium, where a portion of the membership fee supports writers like her.

Opinions

Bennett believes that walking in the woods is a way to clear one's mind and connect with nature on a deeper level.
She expresses a strong appreciation for the beauty and tranquility of the forest, which she feels grounds her.
Bennett holds the opinion that the Pheasant Back Mushroom is a delicious addition to meals, sharing her favorite recipe.
She conveys a sense of wonder and respect for wildlife, as seen in her interactions with an opossum and a fawn.
The author's decision to bring her phone on this particular outing was validated by the remarkable sights she encountered and chose to photograph.
Bennett's excitement and curiosity are evident as she marvels at the unknown origins of certain natural phenomena, such as the markings on a log.
She values the opportunity to share her experiences and the beauty she witnesses with her audience, as indicated by her invitation to follow her on Medium.

A Walk in the Woods

“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” ~John Muir

I often walk in the woods on our property in northern Illinois to clear my head and decompress.

You can’t take yourself too seriously when you’re walking through the woods.

And communing with nature will ground you in ways you cannot understand.

Until you’re there.

And you realize you are but a small part of the big whole.

I typically leave technology behind, but I tossed my phone in my backpack on this outing to search for Morel Mushrooms and am so glad that I did.

Following I’d like to share with you some of the wonderful sights I get to see while walking through my woods.

Photo by Author, Krista Bennett ~ Pheasant Back Mushroom

Pheasant Back or Dryad’s Saddle mushrooms are delicious! They smell like cucumber and sauteed, are a great addition to any meal meat or chicken dish.

Here is my favorite recipe for these unique mushrooms from Medicinal Mushroom.

Some crazy pod with beautiful blue sky.

Photo by Author, Krista Bennett — Opossum

This guy was very curious as to why I was walking in his woods.

Photo by Author, Krista Bennett ~ Yellow Field Flowers

This find was shocking. As I stepped over a log, crouched down looking for Morels I looked to the left, nothing. I look to the right and here is this fawn, curled up completely still right next to the log.

I wasn’t even sure if it was breathing. It did not move.

I actually apologized for bothering it and started to move along when I thought, “what the heck you idiot, get a picture of that!”

I slowly pulled my phone out of my backpack and took a couple of photos and then moved on. It never flinched or moved.

What a treat!

I have no idea what made these marks in this log. If you know, please tell me.

Photo by Author, Krista Bennett ~ Wild Violet

Photo by Author, Krista Bennett — Peek-a-Boo!

Photo by Author, Krista Bennett ~ Field Flower

This flower grew in clumps in a marshy area on the side of the woods. I’ve never seen them before but they are beautiful!

Krista Bennett, writer, photographer, Proprietor of Evergreen Creek Vintage & Gifts, homesteader, boy-mom-coffeeholic with an acute affection for cats.

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