Nature Journal

Out with the old, in with the old.

Today was the Turkey Open--a tradition that has been a part of my family for 20 years. My dad, my grandfather and his siblings would go out to the golf course on Thanksgiving (rain, snow or sunshine) and play some golf to compete for the turkey hat and trophy. Sometimes they played the back nine holes while other times they could only hit it off the first tee due to the unforgiving below freezing temperatures. But either way, they showed up to spend a morning in nature, appreciating another year of health (but also for the game of golf).

Since, my dad has passed along the tradition onto us (his three daughters). All having played golf growing up, we were equipped to participate (willing? well, thats a different story). It didn't matter how much we pleaded to stay in because it was snowing or because it was freezing cold, my dad reminded us of the longstanding tradition and we quickly surrendered.

Once we arrived and saw the course, quiet and asleep, the cold disappeared and was out of focus. It was a treat to be able the only one on the course and to be able to appreciate the massive amount of large (mostly) untouched land--it seemed to be endless. You could be alone with your thought; moreover, you could be alone with nature.

This past year I was surprisingly excited to head back to the course. It had been over a year since I had been back and my relationship with nature has grown so much since that time; my appreciation of nature has grown through the help of this course.

The land was just as I had left it a year earlier. I was grateful. I am grateful.

So much of our land is changing and it is obvious that it is not for the better. And while it is true that this selected spot is for mans' selfish play, it is comforting to know that the all the trees, animals, grass, and bushes that live within in will stay the same.

I can't the same for the nature trail around the block from my home....