Tim Dronfield- Walks on the W&OD trail

Tim Dronfield

December 5th

I recently went on a long bike ride on the W&OD trail and I noticed something sad. While this trail is not exactly remote I remember it as the wilderness I grew up in. The woods and paths I used to explore as a kid experiencing nature. Now when I ride through, I cant help but notice the amount of trash strewn everywhere and the constant noise of suburban streets and construction. The woods I used to love have been surrounded and filled with the sounds of the machine world we live in. It was impossible to escape from the sounds and sights of everyday life on the trails near my house. One of the only places I have truly felt separated from the modern world was on my 2 week backpacking trip in New Mexico. While in the back country the only sounds were those of nature or of other travelers like me. As a kid I never noticed the sounds of the nearby highway or the cars passing by on the nearby streets. Perhaps it was because I wasn't listening for it or maybe it has become worse I don't know. It showed me that there aren't shortcuts or half measures when trying to experience wilderness. You need to commit to going far from home to places you don't know to find and to truly experience the wild.

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