I Feel Carefree Like a Bird as I Walk In a Forest
reciprocal nature prompt: “healing power of forest bathing”
Forest bathing is a slow meander in the midst of a forest setting. The purpose is to tune into the smells, textures, and sights found within a forest. Lose yourself in the natural setting and the stress of everyday life falls away.
Japan started the practice in the early 1990s as a wellness therapy to reduce stress. It boosts immunity and uplifts a person’s mood also. It could be considered an alternative medicine practice. Nature therapy is starting to be accepted in the United States now.
Some researchers find that trees release compounds that could be beneficial to people. Don’t you feel relaxed when smelling the distinctive scent of a cedar tree? Whenever my father chopped down a cedar tree, I would keep a round piece. It always brightened my mood whenever I breathed a deep whiff.
Most of us spend our time indoors working in sterile environments. The new forest bathing trend nudges us to spend more time outdoors to receive benefits that are free. Go to any parklike setting full of trees and your body will respond with joy.
John Muir knew this, “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike. …”
My daughter, Chris, and I love to explore natural wilderness areas for vacations. She works in an intensive medical setting as a nurse. We both realize the benefit of nature as a healing balm for our bodies. I have known this since childhood, growing up in a mountain full of trees. Come with three nurses as we meander through Isle Royale National Park.
This island is in the northwest corner of Lake Superior. There are no roads but 165 miles of woodland trails beckon the intrepid adventurer. It is a sanctuary for wolves and moose. There are inland lakes and the territory is rugged and unspoiled. There are no amenities. You must be a self sufficient backpacker if you start at the Windigo landing.
Isle Royale offers the ultimate in solitude and unique beauty. You will encounter dense vegetation, bogs and swamps. The terrain is rough so it is best to limit hikes to six miles. There are open shelters near the visitor center. Thimble berry bushes can be head high. It feels like a jungle moving through them, making a trail difficult to see.
Mosquitos, black flies and gnats are plentiful. It is a delight to camp beside Lake Superior. Insects aren’t as feisty and a cool breeze feels wonderful after a day of hiking. Fishing is good and can provide a delicious meal. The water is crystal clear. Rarely is it calm as glass. The cold temperature discourages swimming but feels great on tired feet.
Designated campsites guarantee isolation from other campers. Leave no trace is the recommended policy. You need a permit and advance reservations. A ferry will transport you and your gear to the island.
The meadows offer waist high grasses. They are a welcome respite from the undergrowth found in forested areas. A sweet grass smell penetrates your nose. Crushed grasses show that moose spend some overnights there. It feels like you’re hiking through a yellow-green sea.
We take advantage of every berry patch we come upon. Ripe raspberries and blueberries beg to be picked. The distinct smell wafts the air before you see them. The berries dye our fingers and tongues red and blue. Who cares, it is a small price to pay.
Every day is full of marvelous wonders. There is no need to hurry. We are carefree children, reveling in the delights that greet us at every bend in the trail. It is such a marvelous feeling when time seems to stand still. The forest is so dense that sunlight has to filter through the canopy. It is a surreal feeling. Anything could be lurking ahead in the bushes.
Trees provide shade at every campsite. Birds serenade us throughout the daylight hours. An occasional owl can be heard at night. We did not see or hear any of the island’s wolves while we were there. There was a fox that wandered by a shelter one evening. And we did see a cow moose with a calf on the far side of a creek.
The ferry ride back to the Michigan mainland was a thrill. Rough waves buffeted us. It felt like a wild amusement park ride. Lake Superior is so big that weather causes many boats to capsize with loss of life.
It had been a wonderful week of adventure and discoveries. We felt refreshed in spirit. Immersion in unspoiled nature was a healing balm. Isle Royale is a unique gem preserved by the National Park Service. Do visit, if you ever get the chance.
Thank you Sahil Patel for offering this stimulating nature prompt.
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