When I run, I seek nature. I am out of breath, my legs throb with pain, my upper arms are sore from pumping and all that exists for me in that moment in time is the beauty of the environment. Trapped in the heat of the moment, I cannot think of anything else. My mind craves an escape from the pain. So, I look to what surrounds me. I admire the trees, the grass, the breeze, the sky and all else natural that encloses me in that moment in time. The lush green of Lake Forest nature overtakes me and holds my concentration. Being trapped in the moment, it is the best time to observe natures ways. Every sway of the trees and fall of the leaves has my focus, and helps me push through each step that I run. Nature is what drives me through each run and has truly become a savior of this sport.

The ravine behind Deerpath Hall is hidden away from all of campus, but contains a beauty that will surprise anyone who wonders down. As I walk down the steep slope and through some of the leaves that have begun making an early fall to the ground, I take in the serene green of leaves and listen to the sway of the leaves. Lake Forest College is far removed from the peace of the ravine and I leave all of real life behind. The beauty and heat of the moment of being trapped away in the ravine helps to forget all of life’s responsibilities. It is a separate world from the college, and my daily regiment escapes me while sitting on a log overlooking the steep drop into the forest abyss. As the wind hits my face and chills my body, I feel the power of nature and the great mystery of the above. The cicadas scream overhead and animals communicate amongst each other. I am the only human being in sight and feel very comfortable in this natural setting. Sitting in the ravine, I have erased the real world completely from my head. Nature is all that exists and for that moment in time I pretend that civilization never happened. While students and Deerpath Hall loom only a couple hundred feet from me, I have escaped for this moment in time and love the quiet bliss of the ravine.

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I've realized that my love of nature has grown widely since I've started running. This sport has opened my eyes to the natural world and every run I discover more in the environment than on the past run. I plan to detail my experiences in more depth throughout the semester. 

"To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug" - Helen Keller.

What a strange summer it has been in Chicago. While having a hot day here and there, it was many times chilly and rainy and unlike the warm summers that Chicago has grown accustomed to. Though in the past week to two, it appears summer has redeemed itself and we are headed towards what some would call an "Indian Summer."

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." - John Muir

The Sound of Serenity (Minus the Facman Fan)

Cicadas rule the forest as their screeches dominate the wind that rolls through the air. Overpowering the cicadas is the large, machine like fan that is blasting from the facility management area. Its jet like sound is irritating next to the gentleness of the natural breeze. The wind glides through the trees and the sound of their sway is very calming. All of a sudden, a plane streams through the sky above and roars over the loud, facman fan and the screeching communication between the cicadas. As the plane exists, birds chirp lightly and the cicadas faze in and out. The fresh scent of tree bark and leaves fill my nostrils with natural delight. The wind hits my face and delicately brushes my hair back. Mosquitoes bounce on and off my legs in an attempt to bite me, but my fast movements prevent their small blood sucking fangs from latching on to my skin. Cicadas now take over the facman fan and their scream dominates the area. They rule the forest with their cries and our louder than any other creature lurking within.

Sitting on the log and immersed within the greenery of the forest life, I feel like dozing off. I am at an extreme peace. Having cross country practice in thirty minutes immediately escapes my mind. In fact, all of real life escapes my mind. Work, school, social life and all other elements of reality completely leave me. The natural presence of the forest captivates my mind and erases all thoughts of real existence. The environment is like a fantasy land that is only a few steps away. My mind is absolutely clear and I allow the breeze to hit my face as I imagine myself as a very small being among this amazing natural creation. With my eyes closed, nothing else exists and I could spend the rest of the afternoon sitting on this log and relaxing. Soon enough I will have to leave and attend back to real life, though I try not to think of that. I enjoy my final seconds in the forest among the screaming cicadas and insects and think forward to my visit.

I took the oppurtunity today to observe nature through my senses of hearing and smell...rather than my sense of sight. I had never consciously made myself observe nature in this matter before Mondays class, and it was rather aesthetically pleasing.

Thin and Thick

LFC Nature Area

The trees surround us as we sit on a stone benches centering around yellow flowers and grassland. The wind is soft, yet chills the skin as shade covers our circle. The forest appears torn up and plants spring the ground. The sound of a chainsaw growls in the background, but all else remains quiet on the calm, early fall like afternoon. Birds chirp and cicada screeches from above. The leaves reflect the sunlight and make for interesting shade of green. The sun makes its way through a the top of a tall tree and the wind smoothly rolls through each leaf. Built in wooden posts spring up from the ground and deeper into the woods, the shadows darken into a mysterious abyss. Flowers are blooming, quite the delight to the summer time eye. The sky is a pure blue, with only a light touch of faded hazy white clouds. All of a sudden, a branch falls from a true as an animal makes a sudden move. Bees skip from flower to flower and flies roam the green expanse of the plant world.

Right next to the Johnson Science Center, I center in on the restored wilderness area of Lake Forest College. The flowers and grassland that surround us spring from the soil from what was an environmental revival. Wooden posts emerge from the ground detailing information of the grassland and its purpose to bettering the environment. Chainsaws grumble in the distance, signalizing the ever increasing deforestation that is taking place in our society. Flowers bloom, but the chill in the air signifies a close end to summer time in Chicago. The sunlight reflects upon the leaves, signs of a soon return to dusk. As the wind glides through the leaves, it is a calming visual to naked eye. I relax on the stone bench, conveniently placed in the middle of the natural mecca, in which you are led into by a grass path that originates from the school grounds. This may be the most relaxing part of campus, an escape from dormitory life and the comings and goings of people from classroom buildings. Only a short walk away and I am immersed in a sedative state that only nature can provide. It is a dead calm, only the sounds of the communication between animals and insects can be heard in the green expanse of the forest world.

Lake Michigan

As the waves roll in, the cool Lake breeze is refreshing on the hot, drenching day. Each wave hits the shore at an even pace, no wave bigger than the other. The trees sway serenely in the background and still remain a summertime green. The lake is a light shade of blue as the clouds roll in from the distance. On my left side, factories and small buildings emerge in the distance and on my right side a pier jets out into the body of water. The sand provides warmth and a comforting cushion feel to my feet. As the waves continue to hit the shore, voices of young children fill the air while their mothers voices can be heard dominating above them. People walk the shore line and some play on the large, bundled rocks placed into the lake. The sun scorches down on me, I can feel the burning redness forming on my skin. Gazing further into the lake, jet skis zoom across the deep expanse and sail boats move smoothly across the rolling water. Seaweed is washed up on the shore and I walk out into the chilling water, which is a pleasant sensation to my sun burnt legs.

On a lazy late summers afternoon, I sprawl out on the shore of Lake Michigan at or beautiful beach of Lake Forest. As the waves hit the shore, I stare out into Lake Michigan, in hopes of maybe seeing the Michigan shoreline...a habit I’ve had since a kid. The wind rolls in from the impending clouds and it is a nice refresher on a hot day. I gaze to my left to see the factories and industry in North Chicago and far out to my right I can barely make out parts of the city of Chicago. The sun glares off the sand and helps to warm my body, along with the high noon sun. Mothers and their children mainly roam the beach, enjoying the final days before school is back in session. The slight wind rolls through the trees atop the steep hills, which creates a secluded feel to the beach to stretched out beach. I make my way toward the lake and take a dip into the chilly waters…most likely from the unusually cool Chicago summer.