I confess often that I am a great indoorsman. My brother, Gary, got all the outdoor genes. He is a hunter, fisherman, tracker, taxidermist, archer, and rifleman. His family enjoys the outdoors as well. He carved me a beautiful walking stick out of cedar to carry with me on these walks. I’m not against hunting and fishing at all, I’ve just always been better with a book than a hook.
So when I decided that I might enjoy photography, I found myself walking the boardwalks at Black Bayou NWR. It felt safe, up there, elevated above the bayou. There were handrails and many other people walking along. The photo blind takes you to the water’s edge and provides space to view a large area. So although it was outdoors, it did not require any kind of special skill to just walk along and enjoy. And that really is a blessing I still appreciate. I was able to get some great photos from that vantage point, so all was well.
But I’ve started widening my walks into areas without boards and handrails, and it has been enjoyable, although I admit I have some trepidation about it all. A month or so ago I nearly stepped on a cottonmouth that was in a sunny patch on a cold day. I was thankful that he hissed a warning at me. I don’t mind telling you that this almost changed my mind about walking off the beaten path. So I’ve ordered some snake chaps - I didn’t even know they existed. I’ll still be mindful to watch, though.
Walking past the photo blind, the trail meanders into the woods in between areas of water and the wooded lakeside. The serenity of this place is calming, but at the same time there’s a little bit of uncertainty as I’m not sure where the trial goes or what I’ll encounter along the way. Somehow it seems worth it, though.
Looking up I can see the beauty of the sky, clouds, and trees that are just recovering from a winter's rest. I’m sure there are many woodland creatures nearby, but I don’t hear any of them. Just one loud Northern Flicker digging for bugs in a tree. But the rest are silent, perhaps holding their breath hoping I won’t see them as I pass through.
Once while I was stopped and observing I saw a man coming down the trail ahead. I guess he was not looking for company because he turned around and went back to where he came from! I walked the trail until through the trees I could see the windshields of the trucks parked at the boat launch. That gave me a little bit of ease because then I knew where I was. I headed back toward the photo blind but took a left and walked around the pond. I’m sure this pond has a name, but I don’t know it. Still exploring, it was my first time to realize where this path went, and that it would take me to my vehicle.
I’ve been to the Black Bayou Website and downloaded a map to see where else I might want to wander. Revisiting the same places, however, is not a problem. As the seasons evolve there is both a sense in which everything retains its character and another sense in which the changes keep everything interesting. I may not be able to visit out at Black Bayou as much as I’d like to, but I look forward to the quiet times spent out there. Sometimes I pray while I walk, sometimes the Lord and I just enjoy being quiet together as I soak in the beauty of His creation.
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.” - Hebrews 1:10
"...better with a book than a hook"--love it! Such a beautiful place to explore!
What a gift you are Preacher John. Your writing so inspired and poetic. Thank you for sharing your journey as an indoor man gone outdoor. I enjoyed your play with words: “...better with a book than a hook” and, I wonder if you were intentional with this line, “... I’m not sure where the trial goes or what I’ll encounter along the way. Somehow it seems worth it, though.” I realized as I read your words that a trail could be a part of a trial and a trial a pet of a trail. Same letters or Journey, making different words or paths. What a beautiful landscape. God is abound.