In 1979, my alma mater was given the gift of spring by Chubu University, located in Kasugai, Japan. That school gave cherry trees to Ohio University in Athens in celebration of OU’s 175th anniversary.
They line a section of the bike path along the Hocking River and are a symbol of spring and beauty that have become an important part of the city’s tourism. A few years ago, National Geographic recognized Athens as one of the best places in the U.S. to see cherry blossoms.
They were at peak this week so we headed over for a closer look one evening. They really are beautiful but my phone pictures fail to capture the fine details of the cherry blossom, leaving me wishing I had taken my camera along for the walk.
People walked by and admired the colors. Some took selfies while others set up chairs and blankets for picnics while they waited for lighting to go on at dusk. Children in Easter clothes and a pretty girl in a cap and gown had professional photos made while others jogged by, seemingly unaware there were even trees.
This person stood, staring up in awe, clutching a fallen blossom and smiling. I think they were my favorite of all the strangers there.
If you ever have a chance to go and like that sort of thing, I highly recommend it.
OU was founded in 1804, just one year after Ohio became a state and is the oldest university in Ohio. If you ever see someone wearing OU green, the appropriate response is “Go Bobcats!” We aren’t fond of being mistaken for that school north. More importantly, the OU campus is gorgeous so be sure to stroll around when you visit and stop by uptown Athens for a good meal at one of their unique locally owned restaurants.
Backyard bird feeders have become a favorite small investment in my surroundings. Feeding the birds serves the very practical purpose of helping out our feathered friends with a meal here and there. Whether it be non migratory birds with limited food sources in the winter or the migratory ones that arrive hungry and tired in early spring, they all are hungry.
I bought Scout a bird feeder for his first birthday back in 2020, just before the start of the pandemic. It hangs outside my home office window where he studies the activity like must see tv and where I also can sometimes catch a glimpse of them coming and going.
Since then I have added two more that are visible from other windows and that are a little quicker to access on a cold winter morning. Most years I take a break from feeding in the summer but I’m rethinking that this year.
Living in the country, my yard is ringed by trees. There are shrubs, flowers and weeds to provide habitat and food sources and I always thought that was enough. However, the bird population does naturally drop off when the feeders go away and I selfishly want to keep them hanging around.
I stepped outside yesterday morning, bird seed in hand, and discovered the yard was alive with the sound of music. Julie Andrews has nothing on me. There was a cacophony of birdsong from all around. When I looked closely, the yard was full of birds of many colors expressing their gratitude for the meal they were about to receive.
I drank it all in and decided it’s worth the extra effort to keep this going as long as possible.
Life is hard for the wild creatures of this world. From the small wasp we kill (despite their role eating flies and ticks) to the deer and squirrels that hunters slaughter, there is risk at every turn. If I can plant a few things and ignore some weeds here and there to assist the pollinators, that’s a small but mighty way to help out. Dropping a little food in the feeders is another.
I wish there was a photo to support what I witnessed yesterday but it’s only imprinted on my brain. Trust me. It was extraordinary.
If you want to celebrate the small things in this life, start with a bag of birdseed and a little feeder outside your window. It’s one of the best investments you can make.
It’s no secret to me or anyone who has to put up with me that I’m mentally tired and probably need a day off – or a nap – or maybe a time out. Yesterday I ran for the door at the end of my work day for the first weeknight hike of the season.
The evening daylight is long enough now that we were able to fit in almost four miles.
Four glorious miles. Well, all were glorious except for the last very steep hill that left me so winded I was sure I had emphysema. Man, I have some goals for this hiking season! But I survived and without stopping so that’s something to celebrate.
Another thing to celebrate is the incredible restorative effects of nature. To breathe fresh air is to start anew. To hear birdsong is to hear the earth sing. To feel a light breeze on your face is an embrace from the world. To feel dirt and fallen leaves beneath your feet is to connect with the earth in unexpected ways. To look up into the tree tops is to understand your place in this world.
In case there’s any doubt – you are small and so is your place here.
I came home feeling so much more grounded and better equipped for all that’s bugging. At least for a while.
I am fortunate to live in the country where my literal backyard is filled with trees and shrubs, flowers and weeds and where birds and frogs gift me with their beautiful songs every day. I’m also fortunate to live close to hiking trails so I can easily run away from home for natural therapy when time allows.
If you’re having a hard day, if you need a mental health break, if you’re struggling or if you’re doing just fine and simply want the amazing things I described above, find your way outdoors. You will be happier and stronger for it.
Make every minute count. You only live once. Carpe diem. You’ve heard all these phrases and more like them.
Those people who insist that every day must count are well meaning, but man, they are exhausting. We get a finite amount of days in this life so it is best not to waste them. I get that. In fact, many people waste every single day and then complain the world is passing them by. We can’t do that either.
Unfortunately, every day can’t be the best, most productive day filled with breakthroughs or adventures. We can’t always be high energy and ready to tackle the world. Anyone who says different is either selling something or lying to themselves too. On the flip side of the coin, when our world turns small, it’s important to find ways to be fulfilled and to make life more meaningful..
There has to be a middle ground.
Some days are only meant to be survived. These days don’t need to count – they just need to accumulate. Think of them as rungs on a ladder to help you get to the next step. You have to keep moving forward to get through this day and on to the next and the next and the one after that.
Whether the days seem dreary and hopeless or the night long and dark, the night will eventually end, the clouds will move on and the sun will shine again.
There’s a point every year that I need a mental health day but can’t get one in good conscience. It sucks but it’s character building. At least that’s my theory and it does help. After all, if you think that what you’re doing is good for you, it’s easier to keep going.
Adventure season is near and that means more people are headed into state and national parks for a day of hiking. I am fortunate to live in Southern Ohio where I’m 20 – 45 minutes from several great hiking spots including the very popular Hocking Hills State Park.
The problem with a lot of vacation hikers we see in the Hocking Hills (and other places as well) is that they’re often not equipped for the weather, strenuous terrain or their own physical limitations. Truth is, I have witnessed people doing so many stupid and dangerous things that I frequently fear what I’m about to see next.
I’m not a super serious hiker. I like to go a couple of times a week from spring through the fall time change. However, I don’t have all the fancy outdoor gear people sometimes think they need and I typically just show up with a snack in my pocket, a bottle of water and really good shoes. If it’s a longer hike I’ll pack some essentials in a backpack, especially if it’s hot or I’m unfamiliar with the trail.
By no means am I an expert but I know enough to help a novice. Here are some hints to help you be safe on the trail.
Check The Weather – Will it rain? Will it be hot and humid? Here in Ohio, the temperature can start at 25 degrees and be 60 at noon. Knowledge is power.
Dress For The Weather – When in doubt, dress in layers. If it’s cold, I wear a base layer under thick yoga pants. On top, it’s often a long sleeved t-shirt and flannel underneath my good Northface jacket. Add a scarf, hat and gloves as needed.
There are two schools of thought for summer attire. The first is to cover up. Wear breathable long sleeved fabrics and a safari hat to cover your entire head. This protects from the sun, ticks and bug bites and it is a terrific way to go.
Personally, I go the other way because it’s humid here and I hate to be hot. Shorts with zippered pockets keep my keys, ID, phone and snack safe. A short sleeved or sleeveless top helps keep me cool. Sunscreen protects my skin and a little bug spray on my shoes usually takes care of the creepy crawly things. I often use Johnson’s baby creamy oil lotion in aloe and vitamin e. For some reason, bugs hate that stuff plus it softens the skin. I wear a hat of some kind because it protects from the sun and ticks.
Dressing appropriately will help keep you comfortable and protected from the elements.
Wear The Right Shoes– Tourists often wear light tennis shoes, sandals and flip flops. I have often seen boots with a heel too. Hiking shoes, hiking boots or trail runners are the best options and they don’t need to be expensive. Some really sturdy tennis shoes are fine on a lot of trails. My favorite shoes of all time have been New Balance trail runners because they have treads like a good boot but are light like a tennis shoe.
Snacks – Last year, we encountered a woman who was at least two miles away from her car or a visitors center vending machine and she was asking for food. Her blood sugar was low and she needed a snack. Even if I’m just going on an easy two mile trail after work I always make sure to have a snack in my pocket and something more substantial in the car for later.
Granola bars, trail mix and nuts are great options you can slide in your pocket. If you have a pack, an apple, boiled eggs, peanut butter sandwich, a single serve tuna packet, or cheese crackers are great too. You can Google hiking snacks to find ideas that will work for you.
Water – You have to hydrate. Even in the winter and absolutely in the summer you need to drink water. The longer you hike and the hotter it is, the more you need to bring. This is non negotiable and I really don’t know what to tell you other than drink your water.
Stay On The Trail – I was tempted to make this number one on the list because it’s the worst thing I see in the Hocking Hills. Stay on the trail. It’s not hard to do in Ohio because they mark trails really well. Go out west to some of the national parks and you’ll find that only the strong survive on some of those trails because there’s not always a lot of signs.
People think the signs are for other people. They want to see something off the beaten path. They want an Instagram shot. They want to do what they want to do. People get hurt this way. They break legs falling on slippery rocks at a beautiful waterfall while standing next to a sign that says no wading or diving. They fall off cliffs and spend a lifetime in a wheelchair because they wanted to look over the edge. One woman died when some teenagers tossed a small log over the edge and hit her on the head. ODNR has done what they can to make things safe but accidents still happen to the best of us and rules don’t help when people ignore them.
I once heard a guy tell his ten year old son that the signs are for other people who don’t know what they’re doing. Don’t be that guy.
Know Your Limitations– If you’re not in the best of health, make sure you understand your own physical limits. Know what to expect on the trail by researching online or talking to a ranger. Pushing yourself to achieve a goal is one thing but needing to be airlifted out during a heart attack is another. The photo above is from Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan when an elderly couple made it about a mile in before needing help. A natural resources officer, two paramedics and a firefighter pulling an ATV on a trailer had to respond to secure the patient, assess his condition and drive him out of the woods. That’s a lot of personnel and way too much risk to life and limb. I think about that couple all the time and badly hope they are ok.
Leave The Wildlife Alone – If you encounter wildlife, give them space. Leave the area if you can. Certainly don’t approach. I have been in areas with bison, bears and elk and they are freaking intimidating to see in real life. Here in southern Ohio there are sometimes reports of black bears and bobcats but I worry more about wild boar and wild dogs. I once abandoned a hike about a half mile in because there was a skunk hanging out on the trail. Literally. It just sat there and waited me out till I went away. It simply wasn’t worth it.
Don’t Rely On Technology – Assume that you won’t have cell service. That means you need to either download your trail maps to your phone or carry a print map. That also means you may not be able to call for help if you get hurt so make sure someone knows where you’re going.
Pack Supplies – When in doubt, take a pack outfitted with things you might need. Don’t weigh it down with a lot of extras but do consider your true needs. Extra water, snacks and a map are logical needs. A very small first aid kit, extra socks, tissues, sunscreen, a compass, and knife are also good things for a day hike.
Hiking is an amazing pastime. It’s good for your physical and mental health. It costs nothing other than a safe pair of shoes and the gas to get to a trailhead. Give it a try but be smart and use some common sense so you can stay safe and live to hike another day.
Also, be sure to have fun too. It’s supposed to be fun! Go fast for aerobic exercise or slow if you want to observe the wildflowers, birds and tall trees. Take pictures. Breathe it all in. Listen!
Don’t play loud music or wear ear buds when the forest provides its own soundtrack of running water, birdsong, frogs and wind. These things are more magnificent than anything you can play on your phone.The sounds and sights of nature are restorative. They’re good for your soul. Stay safe, be well and allow your hike to make you stronger.
Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.
– Rachel Carson, Sense of Wonder
Welcome to Spring.
Yesterday was the official first day but I refused to celebrate it since the season didn’t actually begin until 11:06 p.m. So I decided to wait until today. There is indeed something healing in the refrains of nature and in the natural cycles that let us know there is an order of things and even the darkest of days will be ok.
Today will be 51 degrees and windy with sun and clouds here in southern Ohio. If the last few days are any indication, the bird feeders will be packed and there will be more new things to notice around the yard as Mother Nature breathes fresh left into our surroundings.
I hope to take a lunch break and to spend some time doing a small chore or two outside. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Even if you can’t spend time outside, contemplate the beauty of this season and you’ll be better for it.
Happy Spring, friends!
PS: The photo above is a prolific forsythia in my parents’ yard. Isn’t it beautiful?
