The trail walk started off bleak for me at first. I had been awaiting this excursion into the Nolan eagerly, and had prepared myself mentally as best one could for such an occurrence, but fate had other plans in store for me. My skateboard broke twice in an unsettling manner, setting my overall mental state into a sort of stress that resonated into the initial gathering of students. I remember wondering just how that would affect the outing en route, knowing quite well it could have quite the negative impact if I did not snap out of my state of mind. Fortunately, a ride back to campus was offered quite easily upon arrival. Although not in the heightened state of anticipation I hoped a relaxing cruise on my board would set me in, I soon recovered and set off to absorb and interact as best I could.
The blending of the concepts we had learned thus far and the setting we were placed in served to distract me from the lecture. Although I absorbed most to all of what was said, I still found myself occasionally drifting off into the sights, sounds, and smells around me, trying to integrate the concept of how a full immersion over a long period of time could cause a sacred journey to take place in ones self. I found the history of the location and the statue we saw initially interesting but also almost negative. The presence of a horse being tamed seemed to taint the overall objective we were attempting to achieve and served only to detract from the natural environment in my eyes. Should I be focused on the statue as a not sacred but maybe important place or symbol? I am not sure but it seemed to be to be a poor addition to the overall vibe that resonated from the escape into wilderness we were trying to achieve.
We continued onto the trail. This is where I truly started to feel immersed in the very beginnings of what in some circumstances could turn into a sacred journey. Being on the Nolan Trail once again felt good, a pleasant escape from dreary campus surroundings that I had unfortunately been immersed into these past weeks. However, at the same time the joggers, man-made trail objects, and other non-natural items served as a distraction. Am I expecting too much of a zen-like state, or are other individuals and the occasional sign something that one will have to expect if they ever do undergo a sacred journey? I'm starting to think that the latter might be the case. Fortunately, once we are allowed to roam free my ride is willing to venture into the woods, off of the path and into the semi-unknown. This is the state of the Nolan that truly interests me, devoid of human presence as much as the Nolan can offer. We walk into the woods for a distance, and I start to sink into nature. However, I am jolted back into humanity as when something unusual that catches my eye turns out to be a water bottle wrapper.
We walk a little further, then start to head off in a direction that should eventually lead us back to the path. I return to the car, happy with the outing but wishing I had more time to truly look into the Nolan. Something for my next visit, I suppose.
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