October is getting late in the season for camping in Western North Carolina, however we lucked out with exceptional weather. For myself it was worth the risk of freezing my butt off because I could not remember my last camping trip and I was desperate for some much needed time in nature.
Everyone else was as eager as I was so we packed up quickly and took off along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I w
as warned more than once by my friends to keep my eyes on the road as they kept slipping to the wide expanse of mountains that followed to my left. Mountains as far as the eye could see, rising and falling out to the horizon like an ocean of trees. It is a lovely sight!
After less than an hour we made our way off the parkway and descended into the Pisgah State Forest to find our campsite, which turned out to be everything we could hope for. It was nestled in a clearing of rhododendron and young evergreens, with a bed of moss for our tent, and a fire ring made of stone with wood already gathered and waiting for us. We were only 20 feet away from a brook so clear that you could see all the colors and textures of stones at the bottom of the water… enticing, but definitely ICY!
As we were setting up our tent I started getting flashbacks of my childhood, how I would run around in the woods and pretend different clearings were different rooms of my “home.” I would 
“make dinner” in one room (mud pies, probably!), then scramble through the thicket to another clearing which was the “bedroom”… I would pretend the forest was my mansion, and I played this game for years with neighbors and by myself. As I watched the two young boys with us run around in excitement, calling out to us with every new discovery, I found that place within myself that understood and called with them. I was grateful for the awakening.
As we headed into the woods there was a moment when emotion seized… how had I let this 
happen? How could I have gone this long without full immersion in land, trees, animals, sunlight, breezes and natural sounds…? My life had once been interwoven with the earth on a level that, today, felt desperately far. I felt like I was reacquainting myself with an old friend, one that I felt guilty for ignoring so long. Yet, there it was, inviting me back like I still had mud pies in my hands. 
The eerie vision of myself in front of the computer momentarily flickered in my mind. With a deep 
breath I pulled in the clean air and smiled. It was about at that point we broke off the path and began breaking trail directly up the hill, drawn to the promise of sunlight at the top of the peak. At one point I picked up Emmet, the smallest boy and carried him on my back as we ascended through pricker patches and brambles. Little tugs and tears caught my skin… and I smiled again (couldn’t imagine a place I’d rather be!).
At the top of the peak the sun proved good on her promise. It was as rewarding as we’d hoped – a clearing formed by an old road that led to a spectacular view of Looking Glass Peak in the distance. Last Christmas Day I had hiked to the top of the peak with Siobhan, an adored best friend of mine. We were sitting there across the way looking out as far as the eye could see. And here I was today looking back so many months later.
I thought of Alice through the looking glass, tempted by her curiosity to explore the 
other side of the mirror. Hadn’t we done the same thing? As humans? One day we literally left our world behind, “taming” the earth and assuming mastery over it… modern cave people “hunting” through the market place. What was once a whole existence is now governed by external regulations and separation. We sleep in a box, wake up to a box, communicate through a box, drive in a box, and spend our days in a box. Only to start again. Do you ever look around and wonder how many take a pill, or a drink, or suffer half-whole to get through the day?
As these thoughts swirled in my mind I became conscious of how quiet I had been on this hiking trip. Too many deep thoughts for such a light-hearted day! I decided to let it go but I understood the implications… I myself had come to realize I had gotten stuck on the other side for too long a time. From now on I knew would be making a conscious effort to “come back.”
We were all pretty tired when we returned to camp. The sun was quickly leaving us and the layers started to come on. The season has certainly turned in that teasing way of autumn – a mix of green leaves barely hiding the eruption of coppers and red. And, though we enjoyed a day of warming sun, the goose-bump breeze occasionally slipped by to remind us of colder and colder weather to come.
Our fire started coming to life and the food was put on to cook. We were all pretty hungry and the 
aromas of roasted chicken marinating in lime and chipotle, or squash with goat cheese, or spicy potatoes and corn on the cob did NOT make it any easier on us! We distracted ourselves with stories and music, and the adults sat back as the boys chatted like a comedic duo. All manners were tossed aside when food was ready… like wild cave people we ripped into our dinners – OMG so good!
Eventually after S’mores and more stories the boys faded off to sleep and adult chatting began. Stories of boyscouts and childhood adventures were punctuated by intermittent sips of gin and wine. Apparently I was not the only one who had been missing the outdoors, or lost in thought about it. Pledges for future outdoor adventures were made amongst the raucous revelry of a party campsite near by.
The night grew increasingly brighter with a full moon. At one point I sleepily headed out to the “lady’s tree” and 
found myself alone in a clearing, staring up to the fullness of the sky. I was grateful for such an incredible day and night, and said a silent thank you. For a moment I could feel the playful child inside, she said “it’s magic out!” So, I even made a wish. How perfect and poetic, to spend my day contemplating boxes to end my night staring at a full-bellied moon… in a never ending universe.
I went to bed and slept peacefully.
©laynewhitley, 2010. Article may be reprinted with permission.
Layne Whitley, Food & Weight Loss Coach, helps clients lose weight, eat healthier, and feel great… naturally! To get your FREE e-book on lasting weight loss and receive her weekly recipes & success mindset articles on reaching your wellness potential, visit www.laynewhitley.com or email her at coach@laynewhitley.com.
