Deep in the mountains in the southwest corner of North Carolina is a river unlike any other. Halfway through my perilous rafting journey, there was a moment when time stood still. I witnessed a natural phenomenon which displayed the beauty of nature at its finest. During that moment, I realized the insignificance of humanity, and why we should respect the overwhelming power of nature. The Nantahala is a whitewater river nestled in a valley with steep mountains flanking it on all sides. The forest it was situated in is the only temperate rain forest east of the Mississippi River. The rafting Industry has adopted this river as its premier destination. I was a 14 year old Boy Scout on a three day camping trip in the Nantahala Gorge. The weather was cloudy with periodic rain showers throughout the day and night. The temperature was at the mid 80’s but never got above the 90’s. I was in a bright yellow raft shared amongst five of my companions and a rafting Guide who went by the name “Bones.” “Bones” was a Caucasian man with dreads in his hair, tattoos of paddles shaped as a pirates cross on both of his arms, and was massively strong. We floated down the river like leaves down a stream; constantly fighting to stay upright and not be cast overboard by the restless aggression of the rapids. We were part of the way through a two hour journey down the Nantahala river. It had rained continuously throughout the trip, which meant we were soaked to the bone and fighting hypothermia.
Waking up to discover the immense, pristine wilderness of Alaska, listening to the birds chirping their sounds while feeling the tremble of your heart beating through your veins. Trees as far as one can see with rolling hills and distant peaks covered with unblemished snow. The sounds of streams growing larger until they rush over a fall, and into an untainted lake. Pondering the true meaning of life while observing Mother Nature’s true grace. Very few people can relate to this scene of the wild. One of them being Christopher Johnson McCandless, a young pioneer and traveler, who was determined to seek the truth no matter what the cost.
The two articles help readers understand that when man and nature are together they create knowledge and emotions. Both writers describe feelings that one might feel when in touch with nature; in different ways, both elaborate on the fact that if man and nature were to disconnect then an imbalance would occur. “The river was
While the typical alliance between the earth and mankind has historically benefitted both sides, in some cases, one party steps up and over the other. Sometimes, it is the humans who take over, and in other cases, nature grabs the wheel. In Ted Kooser’s “So This Is Nebraska”, nature undertakes that commanding role, seemingly dominating over its inhabitants. In his poem, Kooser reveals a controlling relationship between nature and humans, suggesting that natural forces override and take precedence over personal inhibition.
Most nights Wenatchee River looked eerily beautiful when the fog rolled over the fiery trees, but that night the mist clung uncomfortably to my skin and skewed the forest around me. I had to rely on the distant sound of chaotic whispers and a faint warm glow ahead of me. The
If one takes a simple walk into nature, they will witness a thousand miracles. It is hard to understand this thought until it is actually done. Many amazing things can happen to one throughout nature by exploring the places where wifi is weak. If one listens closely, the Earth has music that will lead one to the right direction. John Muir and William Wordsworth demonstrate their heart felted relation and sympathy for nature by utilizing figurative language to show how nature impacted and affected their everyday choices.
From the Riverside Park in Easton, PA, the Delaware River looks serene and uninhabited. There are lots of trees around; the water is flowing gently. I see a few ducks swimming in the water and some birds flying overhead. I listen to the sounds: the birds chirping, the water flowing, the wind blowing, and then I hear the cars passing by on the road nearby. I look up and am suddenly reminded that I am not alone with nature. Still, the only indications of human civilization are the two bridges, the road, and the scattering of buildings on the other side. Despite the natural scape being surrounded by human development, it still looked peaceful and harmless. One would have never guessed that this seemingly innocuous waterscape was once the source
When I crossed by the snow covered sign that read “Welcome to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness National Park” and looked at what surrounded me, I was beside myself. I didn’t know that trees could ever be so beautiful. The towering trees were the perfect shade of dark emerald green, and the way the snow piled on them looked like painting. I thought I was living a fairytale. It was the most beautiful sight I have ever laid eyes on.
Backpacking the Ozette Coast was one of my many memorable encounters with nature during my month long trip to the Pacific Northwest this past summer. Every day brought something new and invigorating, from hiking Mount Rainier to whitewater rafting down the Snake River. Each experience brought new memories, a greater connection with nature, and a newfound sense of accomplishment; I longed for it to stay. However, as I discovered, these natural monuments won’t last long if humanity continues its current habits.
Nature has been a captivating force that many have had the pleasure to witness in a number of capacities over the years. Whether one’s fascination comes in the form of seeing a beautiful sunrise or watching the first flowering of Spring, time and time again there has been a deep intrigue with nature in the hearts of humanity. In the case of John M. Berry who writes about the Mississippi River in Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America, the level of which he is simply amazed by the water body is very evident. Barry’s intense interest becomes largely apparent through the unique perspective with which he presents his readers. Rather than a formal and meticulously cultivated scientific report, Barry writes with a true passion while describing the mechanics of the river. In an attempt to thoroughly express how astonished he is by the great body of water, Barry uses awed descriptors and strategic applications of personification that go beyond what would be found in normal scientific analysis. Such tools are used to expertly showcase just how taken aback Barry, like many often are with nature’s miracles, is regarding the river and its capabilities.
Four of us, Fraser, Isaac, Jon, and I slammed into a grove of coconut trees that is usually five feet up on the bank. The river was supposed go on both sides of this island but this time it did not. The river, swollen to its max capacity, went clear over and through the grove. Gathering our senses, and Jon’s tub that he got thrown off of, we tempted to half walk, half swim our way to the end of the grove and
The beauty and wonders of nature are inexplicably alluring. In the nonfiction essay “Down The River”, Edward Abbey successfully conveys this attitude in his description of his time in the Aravaipa Canyon. By observing his surroundings and comparing nature to human life, Abbey expresses a peaceful admiration, blended with a mystical attitude and respect toward nature. Abbey’s awe and fascination for nature is prominent throughout his essay. For him, nature can never fully be understood, and man will never be able to comprehend the complexity of the universe. Abby's attitude toward nature is one of peacefulness and respect, made evident by his constant admiration and appreciation towards it.
Have you ever gone canoeing down the Mississippi River? In the story “Mississippi Solo”, by Eddy Haris, the author uses figurative language to give a vivid picture of his extraordinary experience of canoeing down the Mississippi River.
For as long as I can remember, the outdoors has always been a place where I can go to find myself again. It is a place where I can be whatever I want, a place where there are no rules, no family and no friends. Well, sometimes there are friends, but most of the time it’s just me and the trees. When I was child, all I ever wanted to do was climb a tree to the very tip top to maybe, just maybe, touch a cloud. Now I know that's far out of reach, but back then I thought I could do it and thought that there was nothing in my way except for a couple of limbs. How easy is that? It’s basically like climbing a ladder. Outdoors, to me, is a magical place where I can be, do and see whatever I want and there's no one there to tell me I can't. Outdoors has always been a place where I can just relax and forget about the world around me for just that one moment.
I remember a time in my life not too long ago when my family and I went white water rafting for the first time. We had been spending some of our summer vacation at a cabin in the Smokey Mountains, close to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The next day we would experience feelings of exhilarating excitement, with a sense of suspense and anticipation as we rafted down the Nantahala River.
As I left behind the somber forest, I now recognized an appreciation for nature that I did not realize I had. I now knew there was more to nature than just trees and animals, but also I found the