Wow Val, this newsletter resonates with me so deeply. You perfectly captured all these feelings I've never been able to find words for before. My trail well traveled would be the trail through the woods in my parents' backyard. My dad began blazing it in November 2020, when the pandemic lockdowns finally gave him the time to formally blaze a trail he's been wanting to make for years. Ever since then, every daily walk reveals something new to me, some new lessons Mother Nature has to share.
Your words on how your trail is like a second skin resonated so much with me, and the analogy of a forest witch who knows the woods better than herself and can read every detail, letting her know when it's safe and when it's not, felt spot on. Having a healthy level of fear is so natural, and you mentioning that made me feel better about my own fears. Walking down my trail always makes me feel calm and at peace, but part of me is always alert because we also have bears pass through. I used to feel sort of bad about having to live with a small ounce of fear on each walk, but now I realize it's a survival tactic, and as long as it doesn't prevent me from going on walks, then it's good I have it. It actually helps me connect deeper with nature, knowing I have to always be on alert and present of what's going on around me, and because of this, I can sense danger and I can sense when it's safe. That alone connects you deeper to nature, when you can rely on your senses and instinct to tell you whether or not a predator is near, and how to act accordingly.
Lovely newsletter as always, Val. I'm so happy to see there are other people in the world who experience nature the same way I do, taking our time to slowly travel the same trails again and again, forming a bond and a deep connection to that spot. It's also so perfect that I finally read this newsletter on the same day I published a blog post about how my dad blazed the trail and my first time experiencing our trail. Everything comes full circle!
Congrats to your dad for making that trail! I'm sure it was more than worth it to be able to connect with the land in a new way. Such a gift. I completely understand about your relationship with fear. There's always a bit of shame that comes along with it. But I think when we see it for what it actually is, that survival mechanism, it feels much more natural and useful in the body I think. I would be lying if I said I haven't thought about all worst case scenarios while I'm out there, hah!
Val, I just love your writing, so lovely! I have a similar perspective and worldview, and I adore reading about your experiences in my home state and beloved community (N. Michigan). Makes me miss being home tromping through the woods in the U.P. (Also, thanks for the reminder to order your planner, looking forward to using it!)
I'm so glad I could bring a little bit of Michigan to your day! There is something so "other" about the UP in particular. A little extra magic in those woods ;) so hope you enjoy the planner! They should be shipping out in the next week or two.
Hi Val, I LOVED listening to this! Thank you for recording it. I can't wait for your next piece and thought this was profoundly wise. I will look in a new way at the array of the same, mundane, things I do each day with new eyes now! Grateful.
Hi Llora, I'm so glad you liked the audio version! I know many people enjoy that format more, or are short on time, so I'm glad it worked out. Thank you so much for the support!
I had an strange experience with something large and bipedal in the mountains of North Carolina. I spent my summers as a child visiting my grandmother who lived on top of a mountain, at the end of the road. There was an amazing trail that went out to the pinnacles, huge bolders the size of dinosaurs we would climb on top of and overlook all of the smokey mountains. I never saw anyone else on this trail. I took my daughter up to the pinnacles for the first time when she was 5. This was also my first time going into these woods alone. Something very large with a consistent two-step gait, walked up from a part of the mountain there was no trail, and down a part of the mountain a human cannot walk. We hid and looked, but could see nothing as we heard it pass us, right below where were hiding on top of a boulder. Neeedless to say, my daughter is now a lifelong bigfoot enthusiast. Also - you are an amazing writer. Please don’t stop. I need your newsletters. Much love 💕
Marcey, this is a fascinating story! Thank you so much for sharing it here. There is seriously something so ancient and mysterious about the Appalachians. They're older, more secretive than the Rockies I think. So many more secrets hiding their, including your own elusive creatures of the forest. I can only imagine the awe both you and your daughter experienced on that mountain. It's a blessing to be so close to something so "other".
Loved reading this story so much! What a welcome respite to my work day here in Los Angeles. Also! Loved my 2023 Lunica planner, can't wait for my 2024 one to arrive. With blessings, Rebecca
Hi Rebecca, ah I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the 2023 planner! I've got some great things in store for you for the next one ;) I hope you love it as well. Thanks for reading
Wow Val, this newsletter resonates with me so deeply. You perfectly captured all these feelings I've never been able to find words for before. My trail well traveled would be the trail through the woods in my parents' backyard. My dad began blazing it in November 2020, when the pandemic lockdowns finally gave him the time to formally blaze a trail he's been wanting to make for years. Ever since then, every daily walk reveals something new to me, some new lessons Mother Nature has to share.
Your words on how your trail is like a second skin resonated so much with me, and the analogy of a forest witch who knows the woods better than herself and can read every detail, letting her know when it's safe and when it's not, felt spot on. Having a healthy level of fear is so natural, and you mentioning that made me feel better about my own fears. Walking down my trail always makes me feel calm and at peace, but part of me is always alert because we also have bears pass through. I used to feel sort of bad about having to live with a small ounce of fear on each walk, but now I realize it's a survival tactic, and as long as it doesn't prevent me from going on walks, then it's good I have it. It actually helps me connect deeper with nature, knowing I have to always be on alert and present of what's going on around me, and because of this, I can sense danger and I can sense when it's safe. That alone connects you deeper to nature, when you can rely on your senses and instinct to tell you whether or not a predator is near, and how to act accordingly.
Lovely newsletter as always, Val. I'm so happy to see there are other people in the world who experience nature the same way I do, taking our time to slowly travel the same trails again and again, forming a bond and a deep connection to that spot. It's also so perfect that I finally read this newsletter on the same day I published a blog post about how my dad blazed the trail and my first time experiencing our trail. Everything comes full circle!
Congrats to your dad for making that trail! I'm sure it was more than worth it to be able to connect with the land in a new way. Such a gift. I completely understand about your relationship with fear. There's always a bit of shame that comes along with it. But I think when we see it for what it actually is, that survival mechanism, it feels much more natural and useful in the body I think. I would be lying if I said I haven't thought about all worst case scenarios while I'm out there, hah!
So glad to have you here Sara!
Val, I just love your writing, so lovely! I have a similar perspective and worldview, and I adore reading about your experiences in my home state and beloved community (N. Michigan). Makes me miss being home tromping through the woods in the U.P. (Also, thanks for the reminder to order your planner, looking forward to using it!)
I'm so glad I could bring a little bit of Michigan to your day! There is something so "other" about the UP in particular. A little extra magic in those woods ;) so hope you enjoy the planner! They should be shipping out in the next week or two.
Mmm this was a toothsome read ❤️
*makes note to add the word "toothsome" to my vocabulary* :)
Hi Val, I LOVED listening to this! Thank you for recording it. I can't wait for your next piece and thought this was profoundly wise. I will look in a new way at the array of the same, mundane, things I do each day with new eyes now! Grateful.
Hi Llora, I'm so glad you liked the audio version! I know many people enjoy that format more, or are short on time, so I'm glad it worked out. Thank you so much for the support!
I had an strange experience with something large and bipedal in the mountains of North Carolina. I spent my summers as a child visiting my grandmother who lived on top of a mountain, at the end of the road. There was an amazing trail that went out to the pinnacles, huge bolders the size of dinosaurs we would climb on top of and overlook all of the smokey mountains. I never saw anyone else on this trail. I took my daughter up to the pinnacles for the first time when she was 5. This was also my first time going into these woods alone. Something very large with a consistent two-step gait, walked up from a part of the mountain there was no trail, and down a part of the mountain a human cannot walk. We hid and looked, but could see nothing as we heard it pass us, right below where were hiding on top of a boulder. Neeedless to say, my daughter is now a lifelong bigfoot enthusiast. Also - you are an amazing writer. Please don’t stop. I need your newsletters. Much love 💕
Marcey, this is a fascinating story! Thank you so much for sharing it here. There is seriously something so ancient and mysterious about the Appalachians. They're older, more secretive than the Rockies I think. So many more secrets hiding their, including your own elusive creatures of the forest. I can only imagine the awe both you and your daughter experienced on that mountain. It's a blessing to be so close to something so "other".
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you, Val. I was right with you in the magical forest as I read your words.
I appreciate the kind words Erin! Thanks for coming along on the journey
Loved reading this story so much! What a welcome respite to my work day here in Los Angeles. Also! Loved my 2023 Lunica planner, can't wait for my 2024 one to arrive. With blessings, Rebecca
Hi Rebecca, ah I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the 2023 planner! I've got some great things in store for you for the next one ;) I hope you love it as well. Thanks for reading