Return to writing

I am very hopeful that I will soon be able to resume writing and posting here on a more regular basis. I see that there was a nearly two month gap between my last two posts. I kept telling myself that I was too busy. That was partly true, but it is a poor excuse. Writing is good for me. It demands deeper, more focused reflection, which brings greater feeling and understanding.

My Scoutmaster duties were the main thing that made me very busy. We had new Scouts crossing over from Cub Scouts packs. We had the details of summer camp to sort through. But the all-consuming worry was our preparation for a journey of over 100 miles through the northwoods canoe country of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico Provincial Park through the Boy Scout High Adventure program known as Northern Tier.

Our Northern Tier adventure was completely amazing. I have wanted to visit the northwoods my whole life, and our trek did not disappoint. The region surpassed my expectations in every way. It was wilder, more beautiful, more remote, more challenging and difficult, more fulfilling and mysterious than I had ever imagined.

Our Northern Tier crews should be proud of their accomplishments, and I think our Scouts experienced a connection with the natural world unlike any they have experienced before. I am sure that in some way our Scouts will carry this with them through the rest of their life. As canoeing author Sam Cook has written, "We have been up north, and part of us always will be."

I think the canoe trip has affected my perspective here in our own little Tennessee hollow. My walks in our woods now seem more serene, more peaceful, more comfortable than before the trip north. I feel so lucky to have experienced this incredible journey. I am indeed a lucky man.