Earlier today, I went for bike ride through the North and South Chagrin Reservations. When the weather is conducive, I try to ride the route at least once a week. Chagrin River Road is beautiful year-round. Every season it has a unique beauty. In the summer, it is the beautiful wilderness, mostly untouched and vegetated. In the fall, it is the red, oranges, and yellows of the leaves as the season changes. In the winter, the snow creates a scenic paradise. However, the spring is where the road is truly the most beautiful. During the spring, the empty trees erupt with life. Beautiful flowers and leaves are everywhere. The views of houses are suddenly replaced with beautiful woodlands, the smell of pollen, and the sounds of the rapids of nearby creeks. It transforms from a typical road, to a wilderness paradise.
Last week when I rode the road was still barren, empty. Today was the first day of the year that I experienced my favorite road in its best season. It was practically shimmering green. My attitude was also shifted. Rather than focusing on my metrics, as I usually do, I focused more on my surrounding and the views that caught my attention. For example, I stopped at a lake to snap a picture, but ultimately stood there admiring for at least ten minutes. A gaggle of Canadian Geese caught my eye. They swam through the pond, pushing lily pads to their sides as they elegantly swam. It impressed me that these geese simply ignored the presence of human life around them. I tried to examine what they were doing. Were they eating? Were the running from me? It was anticlimactic to say the least, but for some reason it captivated my interest. Later on in my ride, I stopped at Squires Castle, a usual stop of mine. I typically just grab a sip of water and then I am back on the road. However, today I stopped. I found myself taking a seat by a tree, and I gazed out at the field and woods that I normally take for granted. I took a second to appreciate my surroundings. I relaxed and spent some time reflecting.
I have kept journals in the past, and have really enjoyed writing them. Ultimately, they just take up too much time because I become so submersed in reflection. So instead of keeping them on a daily basis, I only keep them on occasion. What I have found is that during an uncomfortable time, journaling helps me to gain self-confidence. I think right now qualifies as a time where I truly need it. During Covid, it is important to remember the basis of human life and appreciate all the aspects of the world around us. I find myself taking it for granted more often than not. This reasoning is why I am excited to focus on the wilderness for the next 3-4 weeks.
As I sit here right now for my first day of sector observation, I feel extremely relaxed, the most I have felt in weeks. There is no one judging me, there are no peers. I am alone and to myself. Normally when I am in the woods, I am with friends. While I love spending my time in nature with others, being alone gives me a freedom to move at my own pace and absorb everything I want. I am not trying to prove anything to anyone. No distance running, no biking, no sports. I am just relaxing, listening to the sounds of the birds as they chirp, and admiring the trees.
As I rode today, with the wind blowing against my face and the winding road rushing by me, I tried to savor the moment as much as possible: I watched geese, I reflected in the park, I took pictures. Now I am sitting here more relaxed than ever, absorbing my surroundings, taking everything in. During Covid, it is easy to remain indoors all day, especially when it is snowing in the month of May. However, the wilderness and nature are my escape from the stresses of everyday life. In a time of uncertainty, it is even more important to make these connections to nature and one’s surroundings. Today, during this annual experience on River Road where I saw the season come alive, I tried to take advantage of the day and its many wonders.
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