Off the Beaten Path
Growing up in a Swedish community in rural southwestern Washington apparently isn’t a norm for most people. I didn’t fully realize this until I started telling my boys stories about my childhood a few years ago… and my youngest interrupted with that observation. I thought it was normal for a 3 p.m. Tea Time, eating pickled herring as a holiday treat, “doing hay” before the 4th of July, and packing up minimal gear to explore the unexplored foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range. What’s even more ironic is that I thought it was normal to bring a machete for bush-whacking, matches for a fire, and a cup for water. I don’t think we owned water bottles back then. (Insert legal disclaimer to not try this at home; this was a few decades ago before pollution and fire hazards).
I also grew up on a family farm, which meant lots of cousins to play with and explore together. We created the most intricate forts within the woods, dammed up creeks to “swim in,” and the all-time favorite, “go up past Hendricksen’s.” That was code to walk up a very steep logging road into second-growth fir trees, with nothing to guide us except the location of the sun and growing patterns of specific trees. Hear a creek gurgling down into a ravine? Then let’s climb down it and go crawdad-fishing. Find a spring? Get some fresh water to drink. See some bear scat? Walk quickly away. Find some berries (my favorites- huckleberries and salmonberries)? Eat a snack. Come across a deserted pioneer cabin? Climb in and explore. There was never a dull moment during our hiking trips.
I moved to Arizona on a blistering 120* July afternoon (I don’t recommend moving at that time). I stepped off the plane and immediately threw up (coming from a rainy 60* in Washington). It was a miserable chapter of my life, getting adjusted to the heat. Once November/ December came along, I finally could tolerate the outside temperatures and figure out why anybody would live in a desert. That’s actually what started my hiking adventures in Arizona… proving there was some kind of beauty amongst what seemed like death. Living within vivid green for 30 years made it very hard to appreciate anything less!
I started on the hiking trails in the White Tank Mountains, very close to my house. I learned that the teddy bear cactus glows at sunrise and sunset, birds and owls like to nest inside the Saguaro, and if you go deep enough inside the hills, you find the little gems, like a Gila monster with a forked tongue (don’t get too close) or the Giant Desert Centipede (also, keep a respectable distance). If there’s enough rain in January, you will see the most vivid wildflowers in March. The Saguaro cactus blossoms would win any floral contest, and the desert feels like a happy sponge after a monsoon. Those are all observations found from the maintained hiking trails.
But 16 years of hiking have passed, and in the past year, I’m growing a little restless with my surroundings. I have truly seen it all from the trail. It’s time for a little more variety. So I’ve decided to take a leap of faith and go off the beaten path when it’s responsible and safe for me. (Insert legal disclaimer- I have 40 years of hiking experience and only go with full knowledge of my location, GPS, and plenty of water. Also, I never go off a trail when it’s over 80* to reduce the likelihood of startling venomous reptiles.).
Some observations from my newfound- or maybe found again- appreciation of childhood exploration…
exploring something new is scary but rewarding- usually in the sights, but sometimes some artifacts from previous residents (never touch or take!)
not having a path to direct your way heightens your awareness of location and time
pause to appreciate the sounds, smells, and sights of everything little thing
it’s all about the journey, not the destination
feeling lost? Stop! Regroup! Recalibrate your location and stay focused.
After writing out these observations, I feel like laughing because I think they could symbolically represent a relationship- any kind!! I guess getting off the beaten path is rewarding in any situation.
