Natural Setting 1: The Noland Trail

Nathan Bloom: December 8, 2009

We took the class trip to the Noland trail and were given the assignment to record our conversation with trail and the surrounding wilderness. It was not my first visit to the trail, I have been there many times before, both to run and for other school related activities. Going to the trail as a part of this course made it seem much more relevant than it has before. As I was listening to the trail and interacting with it I was able to see it and observe it in much greater detail than I have before. when I go for a run on the trail I only see it as an obstacle to overcome; the trees are no kind but only obstruct my vision as I attempt to see the finish line. The lake is not a thing of beauty but just a trap that I may fall into if I do not closely watch my step. When I went to the trail with this class I saw it differently, I was no longer in a hurry to pass by the scenery. I stopped to enjoy it all and appreciated becoming a part of it all. This further illustrates that an ordinary place can become sacred through the ritual that is preformed in it.