Kaya and I had a great five days and four nights in the Adirondacks. We hiked in and pitched our tent up on a high spot overlooking the North Fork of the Boquet River near Elizabethtown, New York.
Lots of people ask me, Why do you do these solo trips into the woods? I haven’t known what to say, so I made a list while I was in the backcountry:
- It’s a spiritual retreat. This is the second trip where I studied the text of the Bhagavad Gita which includes contemplative reading and journal writing.
- It’s a time to be nourished by wilderness, which renews my soul. I hang out on the rocks, in the woods, and swim in the river surrounded by woods and usually no people. I look at the plants, natural formations, and appreciate nature.
- It clears my mind. I don’t have access to the Internet, so I can’t do email or text. I’m not in my role as a husband, father, or consultant.
- It’s time to be alone on my own, which I enjoy.
- I love to camp in the backcountry. The packing, getting my gear in order, backpacking, setting up my tent, using knots, and cooking in the wild are fun for me.
- It’s an opportunity for me to spend time with Kaya. We navigate difficult and sometimes dangerous trails together, which increases our bond. Lots of belly rubs, too.
- A lot of insights emerge to address my most pressing challenges. I keep a list of things I want to address and every issue gets answered. This is immensely rewarding. I make great progress in the areas that are most important to me.
Those are why I head out into the Great Beyond, off the grid, with my canine companion.
“A moment’s insight is sometimes worth a life’s experience.”
– Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
