Reminiscing

As I was cleaning out my overloaded cloud files (cloud pollution of the internet sort)  I came across several essays from past trips, and thought I would share them with you over the next few weeks.  My rants are obvious, but, so, I hope is the fun!


Consider this first batch Camping Etiquette 101 !!!!

HE SAID WHAT?

“DUDE, this is some good weed now!”  

Even though carpets of leaves and canopies of trees make for great sound deadeners, they don’t absorb it all.  I’m not sure if it’s the lure of the wilderness that makes people want to talk loudly about personal topics, or if it’s only people with no social filters who go camping.  Obviously, I am excluding myself from that category.  I have heard discussion of your marijuana use, your issues with your spouse and his performance, your wife’s inability to “cook or get you cookin’,” and a multitude of discussions regarding bodily functions.  Save the personal stuff for your therapist’s couch or your best friend’s kitchen, and for heaven’s sake keep your voice down!

The Patagonia Pledge

I just finished reading Yvon Chouinard's book "Let My People Go Surfing." 

I am bowled over. I am humbled.  I am ashamed.  I am inspired.

                                The newer version hit home.  It hit deeper.  It resonated more. 

I'm not sure to what I should attribute this shake-up.  Is it that I'm older and my environmental concern has become more pronounced?  Is it because as I've traveled over the years and seen the degradation of nature first hand that I can grasp the reality better?  Is it because Chouinard has become more persuasive?  Perhaps all of the above.

The premise of the book is that every individual and every business has an obligation to protect the planet for future generations.  We can all grasp that lofty ideal with a loud 'hurrah!"

What we don't- and won't- grasp with zeal are the personal efforts it takes to make that happen.

Are you willing to shuck that consumer mentality?  To shop for your clothes in thrift stores?  To mend the ones you presently own?  To make do, use up, or do without?  We THINK we are.  We THINK we do...  but it's hard to shed what has become habit- to buy and buy again.

I did it as well.  I love Patagonia products.  I have a closet full of them. Part way through the book I thought to myself  "I want to order a catalog."

Sound of brakes screeching and crunching metal....

Why would I need a catalog?  BECAUSE I WAS SO ENAMORED OF PATAGONIA I WANTED TO SHOW MY SUPPORT BY BUYING MORE STUFF!!!!!!!  What.  the.  hell.

Which is exactly what Chouinard is advocating against.  (And maybe Patagonia pulling their catalog is one step in the right direction to curing our shopping addiction, but I think it's going to take more than that).

Instead, I've made what I'm calling the "Patagonia Pledge": to not buy another piece of new clothing for the rest of my life. Sound drastic?  Only if you MUST follow the latest fashion.  My closets are full of excellent quality outdoor clothing, (and just enough other clothing to make me office appropriate-barely).  They are good quality for which I paid a good price, because I know they will last a good long time.  But I have also been guilty of buying the same Icebreaker shirt in three colors.  Because I liked it.

I've asked my family to help me be accountable on this.  When I see that adorable soft fuzzy fleece sweater, they have been instructed to use whatever force necessary to remind me of my pledge.

There are many other avenues to take to make the planet healthier. I hope to pursue more than just the clothing aspect.  But it's a start.

I'm also going to encourage my boss to read the book.  The idea of flex time scheduled to outdoor activities is THE WAY TO GO!!!  Boss- are you listening?!?!?!

Read it.  Think about it.   #Patagonia  #LetMyPeopleGoSurfing

Happy Trails...

Saor

Where did all the children go?

The sad thing about children is that they grow up and move away.  The cool thing about children growing up and moving away is that sometimes they move to awesome places like Virginia, next door to the Shenandoah National Park.

My oldest spawn up and did that, and bought an amazing house in the woods.  I want to live in the loft.  I think she's only going to let me visit...

But visit I will!  And often!  Just returned from a visit, as a matter of fact.

This is just one of the trails we hiked.  It's on the grounds of Mount Vernon.  History and outdoors are a winning package in my book!

We also hiked in the Shenandoah Valley. So much verdant!  So unlike Oklahoma! 

Wonder how long I could stay in the loft before she noticed...??

Happy Trails!

~Saor