TheRomanticWay

I love state parks. They come in great variety, offer all kinds of opportunities and experiences and are really educational. They’re incredibly well maintained, clean and considerate of the environment. There is, however, one thing that kind of needles me about state parks.

In a state park, my contact with nature is a bit like being in elementary school — limited, controlled and idealistic. In state parks, you don’t walk off the trail, pick any flowers, gather firewood or sing after 10 pm. Trails are well-marked, paved and camping sites turfed in Kentucky blue grass. All species are clearly marked and explained with little left to curiosity. In short, it’s a very easy, safe and casual encounter with nature.

I’m just wondering how much real thrill of living have we exchanged for safety and order

Don’t get me wrong. I love state parks, always buy a sticker and frequent them and the programs often. Nothing should change. I just think many of us are deluded into thinking that state parks are nature, that a stroll down a board walk is touching God’s creation or that spotting a woodpecker was an encounter with wildness.

Holly and I recently spent a day at a state park. As we prepared our lunch and gathered a few things for our picnic, I was concerned that we have a blanket or something to sit on as well as sturdy shoes and plenty of bug spray and things to drink. Upon arrival, I realized I’d been away from the US too long. There were tables flung everywhere on cut suburban-like lawns, few mosquitoes, paved trails and water fountains strategically located. I needn’t have worried. We’ve made nature safe for the masses.

Our years in Russia showed me many of the natural areas raped of wildlife, heavily used and worn as well as littered with public discards. Still it wasn’t all that safe. If I hiked or ran the trails, I dodged roots and boulders, and if I sought a solitary spot to meditate or reflect, a suitable place in dirt, rocks or weeds was all that was available. It’s definitely a trade-off.

You think Nature is some Disney movie? Nature is a killer. Nature is a bitch. It’s feeding time out there 24 hours a day, every step that you take is a gamble with death. If it isn’t getting hit with lightning today, it’s an earthquake tomorrow or some deer tick carrying Lime disease. Either way, you’re ending up on the wrong end of the food chain.
Jeff Melvoin, Northern Exposure

I think safety and comfort in all of our spheres of have robbed us life’s wildness and danger. An aspirin here, a grievance policy there, an anonymous letter to the editor or a surrogate adventure on late-night TV all excuse us from life’s risk. Mind you, I’m not asking for more trouble. You all know that I have enough, thanks. I’m just wondering how much real thrill of living have we exchanged for safety and order. Maybe there’s something to be had in pain or the roller coaster ride of unprotected human interaction, or even saying out loud publicly what you really think and being willing to take the flack.

Thank God there are still a lot of wild places not yet tamed by our need to make life functional and palatable. Some of us will venture a toe into the wild places of everyday life — and be thought deviant.

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