Re: [Paddlewise] Wilderness: Isolation or Adventure?

From: Roger Voeller <rogervoe_at_mindspring.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2000 09:31:29 -0400
Dave Kruger asked:
> So, how does wilderness travel affect YOU?  I'm curious.

I've done a couple of trips that exceeded two weeks in length and have
always had some difficulty returning to the "real world", paticularly the
frenzy, traffic, instant and constant news and communication, and rampant
commercialism. Once, I refused to read a newspaper for two weeks (during the
Clinton-Lewinsky scandal) after I returned, because I not only didn't care,
but didn't want to know anything about that stuff. It's hard to stay
isolated, though and I always gradually return to something of an
appreciation for my fellow humans.

It's almost like I've just had a religious experience and can't figure out
why everyone else is still acting the same old way. I'm personally a much
nicer person while I'm out on these trips than I am in everyday life -
probably because I don't handle the stress of this busy life all that well
and it's a lot easier to stay focused on just a few things when away from
it. For me the "retreat" aspect of the trips is probably just as important
as the "adventure" aspect.

Roger Voeller
Brookline, Massachusetts



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Received on Wed Apr 19 2000 - 07:32:45 PDT

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