Mystical woodland walks

~americ Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (22:52) seed

On some of my walks in the woods, I become quiet and just listen and feel all around. The senses seem to go deep in the environment. I begin to feel everything - the whole universe. So that everything that I feel or hear or see is in me and I in it. Everything becomes part of the natural order of life. Again, I can have this same experience in my own room. I can sit, follow my breath until I fall into mediation. Thoughts come in, and thoughts pass away. The felt sense of "being here" then becomes more apprent. The woodland walk might happen anywhere. Do remember that the woods are also filled with activity: wind, storms, rains, trees falling, etc. I am not a nature romantic. I know that "nature" as jungle or wood can be as violent as civilization -- its just not our kind of violence. Easy to be a nature romantic when you are a mere visitor to safe campsites, or walks where the mountain lions and rattlesnakes have been reduced to very small numbers by civilized people. So the mystical woodland walk is more a state of the walker's mind, than an objective state of reality.

~MarciaH Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (23:31) #1

These walks I know well. One springs to mind from long ago in the remotes West Virginia. Cathedral arched created by great lacy elms. Mossy rocks held the banks of the clearest stream on earth. An ethereal calm and peace descends on you in there. Senses sharpened not in fear but in some sort of communion with the entire surrounding nature. I always thought it the lovliest place on earth and perfect for a wedding. More recently i felt that affinity on a hike through the High Sierra of California surrounded by the most incredible trees I have ever seen. Sequoia! You think you are prepared for them by reading the literature and seeing so many pictures. Wrong! It is a profoundly moving experience just to dwell in their shade for a little while. Americ, thank you for creating this wonderful topic. Geo is Honored to have you here! Aloha

~MarciaH Wed, Jul 12, 2000 (00:16) #2

Have you visited the Ent Woods? I think they would be very like your mystical woodland walks...

~americ Wed, Jul 12, 2000 (09:33) #3

Where are the Ent Woods?

~MarciaH Wed, Jul 12, 2000 (12:55) #4

The Ent Forest lives in "The Lord of the Rings". Guess that must have gotten past you in your youth. I discovered it in college and have bound copies... It has all the elements of wisdom and ethereal ancientness which my mystical woodlands need. Some time when you have lots of time...

~americ Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (09:30) #5

Actually, I did read Rings. Thank you for reminding me. One of the most magical periods of my life.

~MarciaH Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (12:24) #6

Thought you might have. I think it is time I got my copies out and reread them. I have been dealing in reality intensively lately. A need a break! Nuthing like a good read to put a little magic back into our lives!

~ommin Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (20:33) #7

When I lived in the U.K. I dwelt within a short distance of a large woodland mainly oak trees. It was magic. Especially in winter - here I imagined myself as Frodo, or Bilbo or whatever wandering through ancient Middle Earth woodland. Roman remains there too- a tile factory is within and has been overgrown with oaks and bushes. It has such an ancient feel and although at times extremely muddy and wet is wonderful to wander through. When snow has fallen, the ruts and puddles frozen over, a golden retriever by your side - chasing birds and I know not what. That is magic.

~MarciaH Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (20:57) #8

Oh My Heavens.......I could get happily lost there forever, I think!!!

~americ Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (11:30) #9

Marcia & Anne -- could I copy and quote your comments above in a book I am writing??? I happen to be writing a book about Time, Love, and Money in the Internet Age -- and this theme of earth and woods is part of it.

~MarciaH Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (12:35) #10

Americ, you have my permission, of course. Let us know how the book is going and when we may all read it. I am a big supporters (morale wise) of those who write for publilcation. I am delighted and pleased!!!

~americ Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (11:55) #11

Thank you!

~MarciaH Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (14:34) #12

*rubbing hands in acticipation of a good read. I know he can write - have read his conference...*

~MarciaH Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (14:35) #13

I will contact Anne for you, Americ, but I think once it is on the internet, it is fair game. (Yes, it is polite to ask permission!)

~americ Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (22:48) #14

Thank you. You are very kind.

~MarciaH Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (23:16) #15

It is the least I can do for someone thoughtful enough to be interested in my little conference and great enough to create his own topic. I am enchanted to have you here. I appreciate and applaud the way you think.

~MarciaH Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (23:17) #16

By the way, the letter to her was dispatched via email this morning. We should be hearing from her shortly.

~MarciaH Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (23:41) #17

Americ, I have just spoken with Anne and she gives her permission to use her musings in your book.

~americ Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (09:52) #18

Great...I have just incorporated both your comments into this section.

~MarciaH Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (13:16) #19

When I return from Sequoia country in a few weeks I will have more comments to make. There is nothing quite like hiking the High Sierra with the biggest trees on earth surrounding you.

~CherylB Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (15:17) #20

If those trees could talk, just think of all the history they could tell you.

~MarciaH Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (16:04) #21

Dendrochronology is as close to getting them to talk as they have come so far...

~ommin Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (20:36) #22

I used to imagine when walking in woodland that the trees could talk. I used to talk to them, (I am quite crazy) expecting them to answer. I used to touch the smaller oak trees and wish them a long life. But am a Narnia fan and I used to imagine I was in a Narnian wood and the trees were talking to each other as you could hear the hiss of the wind. But whos to say they don't!

~CherylB Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (16:43) #23

They may well talk to each other, but we just can't hear it. Even if we could, we probably wouldn't understand. You are right, Marcia. We can learn a lot from the cores taken from trees.

~aa9il Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (19:48) #24

Greetings all Two walks come to mind... Both are from the TX hill country - when I lived in Austin, I used to wander the trails of the Barton green belt. I found a dry creek off the trail and would sit. On the ground were little fossil shells scattered about - really cool. The other was when I would wander off to Enchanted Rock and scramble about the giant granite domes. There were quartz veins in the rock and I even had a special boulder at the top where I would sit and stare off into the distance. A nice place to just 'be' Mike

~MarciaH Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (20:56) #25

I have just been in the environs of the Ponderosa, Coastal redwoods and the Sequoia. Took lots of pictures and will post them directly, or as soon as I return from California Mike! Fossils?! Too good!

~wolf Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (20:59) #26

marcia????????

~MarciaH Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (22:29) #27

Yo Wolfie!!! Talking to you on my new laptop!!!

~wolf Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (22:48) #28

oh i'm so glad, i miss you girl!!!!!!

~MarciaH Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (12:40) #29

Have not downloaded MSN to this laptop but will be home tomorrow... Then I shall post my spledid tree pix. I took a bunch!!! I miss you, too!

~CherylB Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (12:22) #30

Where are the tree pictures?

~MarciaH Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (22:48) #31

On the CD David burned for me. I have a huge fever....give me a few days to recover before I attempt to put CuteFTP on the new computer and all the rest. This laptop is good, but not sure it could handle it. Patience, my dear Cheryl!

~CherylB Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (16:54) #32

Get well soon. I can wait.

~MarciaH Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (17:32) #33

Thanks...we burned them all onto a CD and this new PC is having trouble accessing them. Any my voice does not work so I am without means of exhorting the processor to get on with it and gimme my pictures!

~CherylB Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (19:32) #34

The wonders of technology.

~MarciaH Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (23:15) #35

Tell me about it! Will check on it tomorrow and plead with son for another attempt if this one fails. I think it was just my new PC not finding my Q drive, so I played a musical CD on it and know it works.

~MarciaH Thu, Sep 7, 2000 (16:16) #36

My initial trip into the High Sierra mountain range in California involved a throw-away panoramic camera and some binoculars. I wanted, more than just about anyting else besides huge trees, to see a Bald Eagle. I did not, but then I got my pictures back this is one I noted right away. I was trying to photograph the clouds rolling into the valley at the left and used the dead tree for the right hand frame...out of the corner of my eye. Look what I found on that dead tree! I cannot claim him on my life list nor can I say I ever saw onem, but apparently I did...

~MarciaH Thu, Sep 7, 2000 (16:19) #37

The next place we went was to Sequoia National Park which has just been added to the protective list of National landmarks. I REALLY wanted to see a Giant Sequoia. This was the first one right inside the entrance with a convenient normal-sized park ranger standing beside it. Note: This tree is about 1/2 as tall as it should be - having been topped at an early age by storm or lightning.

~Moon Thu, Sep 7, 2000 (16:46) #38

Marcia, you did well with your throw-away panoramic camera. *clap* *clap* Lovely!

~CherylB Thu, Sep 7, 2000 (18:50) #39

Marcia, the pictures are beautiful. You're right that is a bald eagle sitting on the dead tree. It's white feathered head can be made out. The Sequoia tree is still impressive, even at half of its possible height.

~MarciaH Thu, Sep 7, 2000 (19:53) #40

I know...I know....My eagle!!! How could I have missed it??!! It could not have been more obvious! If I have to breathe California air I want to see Sequoias, too. They are the most astounding things I have ever seen. They are so enormous that seeing them is very emotional for me - almost like hearing great music. It moves me in ways hard to put into words. And, that was not even a particularly huge sequoia in my picture - I will hunt for others...

~ommin Thu, Sep 7, 2000 (21:51) #41

I have the same feeling when seeing a vast Oak, or in particular a Karri or Tingle tree. The Karri - you too can drive through. I touch them and feel they are alive - they have seen so much more than I can ever see - and I feel like weeping with them when they are cut down.

~MarciaH Fri, Sep 8, 2000 (00:54) #42

Yes...precisely! Far too majestic to suffer a fate so mundane. I agree!

~MarciaH Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (17:51) #43

Limiting Sierra Nevada Logging Urged SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The U.S. Forest Service issued a plan Friday to safeguard a huge swath of the Sierra Nevada, proposing dramatic restrictions on logging and new protections for water and wildlife in 11 national forests. Environmentalists welcomed the blueprint, while the timber industry was critical and charged that the plan was pushed through in the waning days of the Clinton administration as part of the president's attempt to build an environmental legacy. ``It will all but eliminate logging in the national forests,'' said Chris Nance of the California Forestry Association, which represents mills, foresters, wood-products manufacturers, forest owners and others. The proposal, the product of years of study and hearings, bars logging of old-growth and big trees, protects areas near streams and meadows and calls for thinning of small-diameter trees near inhabited areas to prevent wildfires. The plan covers 11.5 million acres of federal forests, and includes protections for the California spotted owl and other species. Opponents have 90 days to appeal to the chief of the Forest Service, Mike Dombeck, a Clinton administration appointee who is expected to be in office for another four months. If Dombeck upholds the rules, opponents could pursue further appeals in court. The Sierra, a spectacular 500-mile-long mountain range that includes Mount Whitney, Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite and Sequoia national parks, has suffered environmental damage for years from logging, a growing population, traffic and increasing numbers of visitors The Forest Service plan covers about 40 percent of the Sierra. It does not apply to private or state property. Environmentalists said the 1,800-page proposal marks a welcome shift by the government toward conservation. ``It is a shift in the Forest Service's fundamental goal of forest management,'' said Jay Watson of The Wilderness Society. ``The shift is from logging to what will now be a focus on old-growth protections and reducing the risk of wildfire.'' Nance, the timber industry representative, said the plan would limit logging to 50 million to 100 million board feet annually. The Forest Service's numbers were higher - 191 million board feet during the first five years, and just over 100 million board feet after that. But federal authorities, environmentalists and timber interests agreed that under the new plan, logging would be dramatically limited. At logging's height, in the late 1980s, timber harvesting reached an estimated 900 million board feet.