A Walk In The Park

The Day Begins-A Rising Sun In The Reflection Of The Jeep

“…that while great events may find their place in books and museums, it is the people themselves who really counted.”

                        Sigurd Olson – Songs of the North (1987)

            I still had five pairs of boots sitting in front of a fan in the basement from a previous outing.  They had been soaked through and through; water logged to be exact.  High water, down several feet from a few days ago, was still moving too fast and deep through the woods to reach an anonymous riverbank off the beaten path.  Our outing, yesterday morning, was destined to be landlocked; forcing us to look for alternatives.

            Instead of sloshing in the icy, cold water once again, and falling short of our destination, guys tied to our school district would be sanctioned to a walk in the park.  It was decided that we would go to the Sugar River Forest Preserve.  This preserve provided the high bluff banks to keep us dry, in addition to picturesse views overlooking the surging water below.  Typically the waters of the Sugar move at a moderate pace, but this week it would be more adequately described as rushing.  At one bend in particular, the river slams head long into a sand bluff bank before veering off and racing away at a ninety degree angle.  Yesterday it created swirling whirlpools that were flung off in the opposite direction into an off-shoot backwater slough.  The power of water is impressive.

            We hiked the campground roadway, blocked off for the winter season, and hooked up with the trail along the rim of the bluff.  It led us up and over a scenic prairie and down into the picnic area.  Along the way I came across a raccoon who was taking its final breaths while in the throes of a death struggle.  I backed away respectfully, wondering at the cause.

            I like this preserve because the picnic area still provides fire pits as opposed to grills.  The guys and I prefer the primitive sense of a crackling wood fire at ground level as opposed to using charcoal or a modern camp stove up high.  Within two strikes of the flint and steel, and an ember in a nest of dried grasses, we had our fire lit.  Our fuel was white pine and oak branches.  The smell of smoke was divine, permeated our skin, and stayed with us throughout the day.

            With nine men, we needed two frying pans to cook the necessary food; our gigantic cast iron pan, as well as an old Teflon pan.  The later was scratched up and displayed more metal than Teflon, but it was deep, held a lot of food and helped get the job done.  The smaller one complemented the job that the larger cast iron pan afforded us.

            The conversation was easy; discussing and solving the world’s issues around a crackling fire.  The appetizers were granola bars, Clementine oranges, and venison sausage.  The dogs raced around close at hand, and managed to only knock down one of us.  As the sun rose above the tree line, we warmed and then got down to the business of eating.  It’s what we had been waiting for frankly, and it tasted great.  We wolfed down the food, had second helpings, and still had some left over to feed the dogs.  We washed it all down with some orange juice and hot chocolate, and then began the process of packing it all up.  Our gear required five different backpacks.

Kora With Her Breakfast - On The Banks Of The Sugar River

            We hiked up and back to our vehicles along a hardwood forest trail.  Following the path gave us a nostalgic feeling of at least having to slightly rough it.  Today, however, was not about having to push the limits.  We didn’t have to fight the extreme elements of weather, or the distance needed to traverse to our destination.  We didn’t even have to ward off doubts of whether or not we could accomplish the adventure or not.  As the guys commented afterwards:

*“Sometimes you need that kind of an (easy) adventure.”

*“Whether it’s three miles through thick brush on a cold day, or a quick jaunt through the woods on a mild day, it’s always great to get out and recharge.”

*“Such a wide range of ages, interests, knowledge and life experiences.  So much to learn on every outing.  Most of us have one thing in common, but we rarely speak of that shared commonality.  Work is for work.  Nature is for nature.  Those hours with the guys are a welcomed escape from the stress in everyday life.”

*“Always a great way to start the day.”

*“Good times and more great memories.  Proud to be around so many great guys at one time.  I am glad to have been included in this group and just get away from all the daily stresses.  Thanks for getting us out in the woods.”

            We nine members of the Gulo Adventure Clan didn’t have to slosh through water in our boots, or get wet and cold in the process, to have a good time.  Life may not always be a walk in the park, but it’s refreshing when it is.

            See you along The Way…

L to R: Me & Kora, Dad, Justin, Zach, Merel, Joe, Ric, Doug (sitting), and Scott With Tyson