- Expedition: Apr 4-9, 2004
- Hannah
- Liberty, Crenshaw and Reseda High Schools
- Yosemite National Park: Hetch Hetchy
Wilderness is:
Wilderness is unpredictable. One can't control threes falling, rocks tumbling or water flooding. Animals are not caged, nor are they domesticated. They are as they have been for millions of years without human influence.
Nature is the reigning influence. The only tracks are natural tracks, such as: humans, bears, glaciers, raccoons, mountain lions, ants, termites, and even fires. The only sounds are: water, wind, animal sounds. However, there are many different combinations. There is water cascading down a mountain side, water slowly lapping in a pond, water sliding of drop by drop from a dewy leaf, and , of course, the water that your bidy gets rid of (which is also very natural). On to wind. There is the sound of wind in a tree, wind in a single blade of grass, and wind blowing across a meadow. Animal sounds can come from any number of species.
The point I'm making is that wilderness isn't a place where technology is seen or heard. You can't package it, or take it home, externally, with you.
Wilderness is a place that makes me shut up. I don't what to talk I just want to look and hear and see. It's really useful if other people understand that sometimes if you don't have anything to say, it's okay! Talking isn't always needed, and I don't mean in a sexual way, but in a very basic calm way.
Wilderness is someplace where you shouldn't have to worry about mirrors, hair/makeup products, or how you smell. It's a place to get away from what the media says you should be concerned with, and notice what's really important.
