The following is an excerpt from my final essay for the Winter Term '06 Travel Writing class to Big Bend National Park, Texas:
Sunday, January 29th, 2006
Along the way, I had multiple encounters with nature. It was more than just going for a stroll in the woods in my back yard. I felt secluded from humanity at times, but that enabled me to connect with the garden of desert life surrounding me. My perspective changed: I was unable to just enjoy the pure beauty of nature as I often do on my walks through the woods at home. I had to learn to co-exist with nature. It made me feel miniscule in size at times. No longer was I the ultimate human predator, I was potentially prey. Face to face with the reality of mountain lions, bears and javalina (pictured above), I realized that I was invading their space, not the other way around. I feel as if I have a more expansive perspective of nature now; a greater respect and appreciation for the life surrounding me.