Recently, a good friend and I went on a hike up to Hood Mountain’s summit at Hood Mountain Regional Park in Santa Rosa. Needless to say the scene was beautiful. Luscious landscapes that stimulated my dopamine levels and the crisp air that fueled our hike was just a portion of what kept us aiming for the heavens. Once we reached the top, Gunsight rock provided us with a view that knocked our breath back into the atmosphere. We spent about two hours at the top of the world on the highest peak between Sonoma and Napa Counties. Here, we got into a deep philosophical conversation about our lives and it dawned on me that I never wanted to come back down.
There is a unique energy within nature that is available to everyone on this planet. Undoubtedly, everyone has had a moment in their life when they feel overcome with awe or inspiration when observing Mother Nature. It could be a sunset, a sunrise or one of the beautiful landscapes that Northern California has to offer. Whatever it is, you feel it to your core and it shakes up your senses into an explosion of admiration and purpose.
John Muir had the same feeling when he said, “There’s something about nature, that makes you change your nature.” However, we live in an era of technological renaissance. Technologies like the television are being refined to push the limits of a person’s entertainment experience. This box now offers the best picture quality and the clearest sound to fill up your four corners with decibels that will blow you away faster than you can re-spawn in “Call of Duty.” We, as humans in the 21st century spend so much money on high definition, when all we have to do is go outside.
It’s not necessary to throw away our television sets; even I enjoy some “team deathmatch” every now and then. The natural high only requires that we go outside, listen and be present in the moment. If we do this, we instantly immerse ourselves into the depths of our being, the earth’s energy will overcome the senses and the deconstruction of the ego can begin. Nature has all of this and more to offer for those who are willing to try.
On our descent back to the car we stopped at a small stream that runs right through the trail and washed our faces off with the cool water. My Panasonic couldn’t begin to attempt to show me how refreshing this was. What was more astonishing were the giant redwood trees that surrounded the water. These were huge solid trees that had thick bark and an awesome smell. I couldn’t help but think about how those trees will be there longer than I will exist.
Although technology may come close, nothing can provide you with the experience that nature provides. In order to feel the delicacy of a plant, you need to get your hands off the remote and into the dirt. Life in the highest definition exists outside of Wi-Fi zones and zombie infested levels. Take a hike, garden outside and indulge in what Mother Nature has given Northern California.