Recently I’ve read a blog by Dan Savage titled, Keeping A Secret, and it reminded me of one of my secrets. I was taking a course this past summer called British Literature II with Dr. Chris Nielson. He had spoken often of his long trips to the mountains in New England and his many vacations across the seas to small towns, landmarks, and hidden gems in various countries. It was truly inspiring to see someone who had such an appreciation for the world and its secret pleasures.

So, I took it upon myself to create such an experience. Granted, I could not leave in the middle of a term to take a few months long vacation, but I did have complete control over my weekends. Unannounced to anyone I decided to take a trip into the woodlands of Pennsylvania on my own. My friends inquired as to what I was doing that weekend, but I gave the simple answer, “I don’t know yet.” I had packed up everything I needed, food, a book I hadn’t read since high school, a tent, a sleeping bag, and some matches.

I went out to the North West until I found the ideal place to be camping alone. What I found was an extreme peace that has still to this day been unrivaled by any other experience I’ve had. I did bring my cell phone in the case of an emergency, but I left it turned off the entire time. I was disconnected from my own life, or what I had thought was my life. I found in nature beauty, simple things like the wind through the trees, the light coming through the canopy, the sound of the wildlife, and the patter of rain on my tent as it poured down the second night.

I spent two nights and three days in my little woodland habitat and I found the experience more satisfying than anything I had ever done. Better than all of the parties, bars, and reckless adventures I had gone to before. To be alone, subdued to nature’s conditions simultaneously embracing them was something I thought to be truly profound. It altered my mindset and the way I thought for quite some time. Simple comforts became enough for me, and I was able to cast aside the pointless drama of the “civilized” world. It’s an experience I cannot truly do justice in words, it is something you must find for yourself, but I hope you do. While my changes could not last forever, for the time they did, I was truly thankful.

And for all those who truly love to read, I implore you to embark on a similar adventure and bring with you a book. I have never had such a fast, engulfing, and pleasurable reading experience as I did during my time in the woods.