If you genuinely enjoy nature, there’s a good chance you’re finding ways to get out and appreciate it. Television can let you see it, and a good book can let you imagine it, but experiencing it is irreplaceable. Hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, canoeing, berry picking, gardening, camping, or simply sitting under a tree in the yard on a beautiful day are all great ways to get there. Total immersion in nature inspired one of America’s most prestigious authors, Henry David Thoreau’s classic work, Walden which contains a wealth of reflections on the good life and happiness that result.

While mulling over the thought of “total immersion,” I couldn’t help but be reminded of a friend and former co-worker, Mark Olson. Mark lives in the City of Virginia with his wife, Donna and he very much enjoys the outdoors by spending time hunting, fishing, and camping in summer with his beloved Hoo Doo Point community. One of his experiences inspired an underlying theme going forward – “how not to enjoy the outdoors.”

It’s a rather simple but profound thought process on the outdoors that has eluded the good sense of many, so it’s only proper to cover that ground here. There will be more on Mark and Henry in a bit, but we’ll grab some “low-hanging fruit” on the topic first.

It is essential to note the obvious: while the outdoors are a treasure, not all things outdoors are beneficial for us. Climbing Mount Everest, for example, may be an activity, but it is not immersion in nature. Period. It is anything from hard work to excruciating pain. It is a challenge. It is good material to write a book on if one is lucky to succeed. It is a popular way to die, with 5-10 perishing on the mountain every year. It is also an economic boon to Sherpas and professional rescue teams who might provide multiple rescues (or recoveries) in a single day during the peak climbing season.

Closely related to climbing Mt. Everest are the death-defying activities of rock climbing and cliff diving, which unfortunately can lead to rock climbers engaging in both on a day of poor judgment. More can be said about skydiving, swimming with sharks, grizzly bear photography, and such, but you get the picture. These things test you or your luck. There is little place for serenity and self-reflection here. And now that this is clear, what does proper immersion in nature provide us, as noted by the thoughts of Thoreau?

Thoreau put experiencing the outdoors and wilderness places as nothing less than an essential map to self-awareness and true happiness. Following is a synopsis of his views:

• He describes nature and wild places as a literal reflection of the divine. Spending time in its purity fosters introspection and self-reliance.

• Observing nature’s rhythms provides insights into one’s place in the cosmos.

• Proximity to nature fosters simplicity and an escape from the superficiality of modern life.

• He was one of the first of European decent to promote what our native Indian culture knew all along – humans are a part of nature, not separate from it. As a result, seeking a connection with, and the appreciation of, nature are essential to both individual well-being and proper societal life.

Thoreau’s thoughts were truly ahead of their time, as all of nature’s wonderful attributes up to that point were mostly seen as resources to be exploited or lorded over. We owe much to him and others who inspired those who followed to promote parks and the preservation of wild places.

Today, some take “immersion” in the outdoors too literally, which brings us back to my friend, Mark. It was a sunny afternoon circa thirty years ago when Mark decided to go for a hike on the scenic trails of Lookout Mountain, located just north of Virginia. In tow, his two young children and a springer spaniel. As they enjoyed the wonders of the woods, the late afternoon gave way to early evening, with sunlight quickly fading. The foursome had left the trail, perhaps to find mushrooms or the dog, I don’t recall, when Mark came to realize they were lost. Not only that, they were beyond ear-shot of the highway which may have given them a sense of direction.

The dim light changed to a dark night quickly, and now there were only two things that Mark was sure about. One was that heading off in the wrong direction could have left them very, very lost in a deep, remote woods. The second was that the faint glow he could see through the trees had to be from the lights of Virginia – yeah, they were way out there somewhere in the dark.

It’s important here to support Mark, as men often don’t ask for directions, we don’t always read instructions, we rarely use a map unless absolutely necessary, and most importantly, we really don’t like the idea of being rescued. Also, the incident occurred before cell phones we enjoy today existed. Still, Mark knew that Donna would eventually call for rescue so staying put was an option but not a good one….for men. Fearing an embarrassing rescue, time was of the essence to find their way out.

Mark hoisted his toddler on his shoulders, grabbed his little son’s hand and preceded to walk to the light as quickly and directly as the thick forest and random rocks would allow. In the nearly blind darkness, they came across water which Mark guessed to be a beaver pond. He deduced that a change in direction now could only worsen the situation. So, carrying both little ones and encouraging the dog to follow, Mark crossed the beaver dam, which thankfully and somewhat miraculously, was never more than chest height in depth. After reaching the other side, they eventually came across a trail that guided them back to their car sometime later. Most important of course is that they reached home before Donna called for search and rescue teams.

Supposing there is a moral to the story, one might conclude that Mark Olson is the champion of champions in the brotherhood of those who have been immersed in nature. It’s not the kind of immersion most are looking for as I don’t see much self-reflection going on such an adventure but it likely connected Mark big-time with his spiritual side as Thoreau suggests. For my part, I’d rather jump out of an airplane than cross a beaver pond while lost in total darkness – kids or no kids. I believe that’s about the time Mark took up camping instead of hiking. Good form! very much enjoys the outdoors by spending time hunting, fishing, and camping in summer with his beloved Hoo Doo Point community. One of his experiences inspired an underlying theme going forward – “how not to enjoy the outdoors.”

It’s a rather simple but profound thought process on the outdoors that has eluded the good sense of many, so it’s only proper to cover that ground here. There will be more on Mark and Henry in a bit, but we’ll grab some “low-hanging fruit” on the topic first.

It is essential to note the obvious: while the outdoors are a treasure, not all things outdoors are beneficial for us. Climbing Mount Everest, for example, may be an activity, but it is not immersion in nature. Period. It is anything from hard work to excruciating pain. It is a challenge. It is good material to write a book on if one is lucky to succeed. It is a popular way to die, with 5-10 perishing on the mountain every year. It is also an economic boon to Sherpas and professional rescue teams who might provide multiple rescues (or recoveries) in a single day during the peak climbing season.

Closely related to climbing Mt. Everest are the death-defying activities of rock climbing and cliff diving, which unfortunately can lead to rock climbers engaging in both on a day of poor judgment. More can be said about skydiving, swimming with sharks, grizzly bear photography, and such, but you get the picture. These things test you or your luck. There is little place for serenity and self-reflection here. And now that this is clear, what does proper immersion in nature provide us, as noted by the thoughts of Thoreau?

Thoreau put experiencing the outdoors and wilderness places as nothing less than an essential map to self-awareness and true happiness. Following is a synopsis of his views:

• He describes nature and wild places as a literal reflection of the divine. Spending time in its purity fosters introspection and self-reliance.

• Observing nature’s rhythms provides insights into one’s place in the cosmos.

• Proximity to nature fosters simplicity and an escape from the superficiality of modern life.

• He was one of the first of European decent to promote what our native Indian culture knew all along – humans are a part of nature, not separate from it. As a result, seeking a connection with, and the appreciation of, nature are essential to both individual well-being and proper societal life.

Thoreau’s thoughts were truly ahead of their time, as all of nature’s wonderful attributes up to that point were mostly seen as resources to be exploited or lorded over. We owe much to him and others who inspired those who followed to promote parks and the preservation of wild places.

Today, some take “immersion” in the outdoors too literally, which brings us back to my friend, Mark. It was a sunny afternoon circa thirty years ago when Mark decided to go for a hike on the scenic trails of Lookout Mountain, located just north of Virginia. In tow, his two young children and a Springer Spaniel. As they enjoyed the wonders of the woods, the late afternoon gave way to early evening, with sunlight quickly fading. The foursome had left the trail, perhaps to find mushrooms or the dog, I don’t recall, when Mark came to realize they were lost. Not only that, they were beyond ear-shot of the highway which may have given them a sense of direction.

The dim light changed to a dark night quickly, and now there were only two things that Mark was sure about. One was that heading off in the wrong direction could have left them very, very lost in a deep, remote woods. The second was that the faint glow he could see through the trees had to be from the lights of Virginia – yeah, they were way out there somewhere in the dark.

It’s important here to support Mark, as men often don’t ask for directions, we don’t always read instructions, we rarely use a map unless absolutely necessary, and most importantly, we really don’t like the idea of being rescued. Also, the incident occurred before cell phones we enjoy today existed. Still, Mark knew that Donna would eventually call for rescue so staying put was an option but not a good one….for men. Fearing an embarrassing rescue, time was of the essence to find their way out.

Mark hoisted his toddler on his shoulders, grabbed his little son’s hand and preceded to walk to the light as quickly and directly as the thick forest and random rocks would allow. In the nearly blind darkness, they came across water which Mark guessed to be a beaver pond. He deduced that a change in direction now could only worsen the situation. So, carrying both little ones and encouraging the dog to follow, Mark crossed the beaver dam, which thankfully and somewhat miraculously, was never more than chest height in depth. After reaching the other side, they eventually came across a trail that guided them back to their car sometime later. Most important of course is that they reached home before Donna called for search and rescue teams.

Supposing there is a moral to the story, one might conclude that Mark Olson is the champion of champions in the brotherhood of those who have been immersed in nature. It’s not the kind of immersion most are looking for as I don’t see much self-reflection going on such an adventure but it likely connected Mark big-time with his spiritual side as Thoreau suggests. For my part, I’d rather jump out of an airplane than cross a beaver pond while lost in total darkness – kids or no kids. I believe that’s about the time Mark took up camping instead of hiking. Good form!