In the middle of a busy dance competition weekend, I was able to grab a medium coffee with caramel and cream from Dunkin and make my way to Lake Kegonsa State Park. I had to buy a state park sticker as this is my first of hopefully many trips to state parks in Wisconsin this summer. I then went for a walk/ hike around the White Oak Nature Trail. It was 1.2 miles with a semi grass semi dirt trail. It was a nice change of scenery from the high school auditorium of yesterday and tonight. I had never been to this state park and only found out about it from a quick google search for walking trails close to the hotel I stayed at. Here are some photos of the trail.
What I heard on the trail: birds, cows, chipmunks, an airplane, slight wind, and quiet as the trail was one way and I did not see anyone else on the trail while I was walking.
What I saw: many fallen trees, dragonflies, little blossoms and potential for growth, water paths in the dirt, and the path ahead one step at a time.
What I felt: the sun on my face, wind in my hair, my breath as I had to hike up a small hill near the end of the hike, and fresh as I spend a lot of time inside most days.
What I smelled: fresh air and fresh cut wood
I enjoyed the taste of my coffee as I walked the path. They do not allow dogs or bikes on this trail, and it is listed as “intermediate” for hike level per the state park signs.
I remember in college during my ‘Stress Management’ class doing this exercise of walking through nature and paying attention to the different senses. We all took our time staying about 6 feet away from the person in front of us as we walked a trail together and the assignment was a journal entry like I listed above. I added the coffee as a nice treat.
I hope to do this more often as we enter into spring and summer weather. Maybe you can, too.
Per the nature of dance competition weekends, I am writing this while enjoying an earl grey tea at Starbucks before heading to the high school for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Cheers!
“Notice what nurtures you and tend to it.” – unknown
“The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.” – Henry Ward Beecher
“It takes courage to say yes to rest and play in a culture where exhaustion is seen as a status symbol.” – Brene Brown
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