Jem Kamran-Noland Trail

When we went on our Noland trail adventure as class a unfortunately I didn't get a lot out of it. It was a lot of fun looking at the turtles and learning about the trees and different trails but I didn't get any sort of revelations that we talked about in class. So I went to the trail by myself and wrote about that experience instead.

I volunteer at Riverside Hospital to occupy my vacant hours on Tuesdays. Since I don’t have any classes scheduled that day I thought it would be the perfect thing to do. I love volunteering at the hospital however, I find the hours assigned to be very inconvenient; for instance I have to wake up at 7:00 am to make it to my shift at 8:00. Nevertheless, since I find the work satisfying and productive I can usually make myself get out of bed in time to get there.

Last Tuesday morning was highly unusual for I had woken up five minutes before my alarm was set to ring – which never happens – and slipped my head from under the covers. I peaked at the window across from my bed trying to predict the weather – cloudy, probably chilly I concluded, and crawled out of bed. After I had gotten ready, I realized I had plenty of time left over to get something to eat. As I was waiting for the microwave to cook my oatmeal. I finished my breakfast and headed five minutes earlier than I normally would have. I usually walk to Riverside hospital. I decided I would walk at a leisure pace but despite my attempts to delay my arrival at the hospital I seemed to be approaching my final destination quiet quickly. As I approached the Noland trail I decided to take a detour and visit the turtle and pass some time. So I took the turn and walked right over to the second bridge that over looked the water. It is my favorite spot of the entire trail.

As I approached my favorite spot I noticed that turtles weren’t out yet however there were a group of ducks just floating in water occasionally kicking their webbed feet to propel themselves forward. As I stood there mesmerized by the ducks. I noticed few feet away on the right side of the back a crane on one leg. I had never seen a crane just hanging out in the wild before. It was strange to me to encounter such a bird outside of zoo or wild life preservation. I was distracted by the noise of birds. I turned around I saw a fleet of seagulls heading in my direction. I was struck by the seagulls descent closer and closer to the spot where I was standing. If I wanted I could reach out and touch one but at the moment of excitement and terror I didn’t move. Out of the fleet one bird came down and perched itself on the ledge of the bridge just few inches away from me. It looked around and tilted its tiny neck at me. Finally the thought that I was going to be late crept into my head and I broke out of my trance. I quietly slipped away from the scene.

I had been to the Noland trail many times but “I had tred on it without entering it” just like Lane’s third axiom described but this time I felt the numinosity of the place.

            As I walked away I thought about how Adam and Eve would have felt in the Garden of Eden walking among animals and being in the presence of God. I compared my experience to their everyday lives in paradise and I am quiet sure that I got to witness just a glimpse of what it would have felt like to actually be there.

            It is interesting to think that in most belief systems God’s creation is often linked to achieving intimacy with God. For example every time, it astonishes me how the landscape of the location just lifts my spirits, whether it be the beach, or just the green lush of Shenandoah Valley. The beauty of each landscape reminds me of the fact that the Creator is truly in command of all the powers of the earth and I am nothing in light of everything.  

Not only do I marvel at God’s creation but also away from all the stresses of school, work, and family I can just be still in the presence of God. I have found that my heart is more inclined to hear the voice of God in such places. My time is spent walking aimlessly, pray-fully contemplating my life. Often times I pray for guidance for my future plans, and anxieties and more than often I am reassured by a sense of peace and rest.

Other experiences have led me to renewed determination to pursue something more deeply, may it be relationships, work, or some other aspect of my life that I want to change. And almost all the times I have returned with a renewed passion for God; an awareness of my desire to learn more about my Creator and the want to continue growing in the intimacy.