English practice 16
In a few years, hiking will probably be able to1 spend time with a hiker in the backcountry of Isle Royale National Park2 sounds like an adventure. I will never forget my first encounter excitement in his eyes needless to say was3 unmistakable. "What he asked, inquiring me4 about hiking in such remote locations, I realized that nature is the greatest teacher. The solitude you have fell5 in love with brings you, closer to6 a sense of inner However, like7 most people, I preferred8 solitude in nature for reasons psychologists are still trying to understand. The best explanation psychologists now offer is9 that when you are lucky, there is a creek, or a pond.10
I once sat on the bank of a small creek for nearly an entire day; I became so absorbed in my own musings that I completely lost all track of time.11 The human mind is resilient, though. When the collapse12 happens, some minds break while more than immeasurably13 others snap14 under pressure. Therefore,15 we must protect our mental health by spending time in nature.
now an essential part of my summer recreation. My passion for backpacking took hold many years ago when I crossed paths 
.
infectious as he gazed out over Lake Superior. "By the shores of Gitche Gumee,/By the shining Big-Sea-Water,/Stood the wigwam of Nokomis,/Daughter of the Moon, Nokomis." He continued with more verses. "Have you read Longfellow's 
. I had not.
the passion that the native people had for this lake, this land. It was their lifeblood." I understood what he meant. In the wilderness both physical and spiritual sustenance can be found, so every step along the trail 
My goal in backpacking is no longer the destination. 
the people in Longfellow's epic, I now seek harmony with the Earth through immersion in its scenic riches.
routine. I rise and retire with the sun. Sunrises and sunsets 
calm reflection. After breakfast and before dinner, I slowly walk around the area near my tent, taking note of the plants, animals, and minerals that surround me. If I'm 
to discover. Sometimes I find a fallen log or a huge boulder perfect for sitting upon and reflecting. In these times I surrender myself to the wilderness, allowing the sights, sounds, and smells to pass through me. 11
prose. Years later I can look at my notepads to stir up vivid memories of my travels. This creative process has made backpacking 
rewarding. The backcountry stimulates both my primal instincts and high levels of creativity.
photographs, I write. 
a picture isn't worth a thousand words. A journal of reflections imbued with nature's spectacle is far more valuable.