I got lost today. It was entirely on purpose. We have a park on the edge of town and I decided that today would be a perfect day to explore it with my dogs.
We approached it from the back way, the way that people sometimes leave after games and so forth, but instead of following the path, we turned uphill.
We skirted around the common areas, sticking to the wilds where the grass was knee-high. I imagined that I was alone on the planet, just me and my dogs, exploring uncharted territory.
As I wandered, I discovered an area within the tree line that opened into another world. Hidden from sight by a canopy of trees, it was magical. I took photographs but technology could not capture what I smelled and saw and heard and sensed within that realm.
After a time I moved on.
By the time I managed to relocate civilization I was in an area that was unfamiliar to me. I had to use the GPS on my phone to orient myself and see where I had emerged.
I was almost a mile north of my original destination. The roads were filled with traffic. There were no sidewalks so the dogs and I dived back into the woods.
The dogs were thirsty by the time we arrived at our destination so I paused to let them splash in the creek and get a drink of water before we continued. We walked the official path around the park before we headed home.
When I was a kid I loved to get lost. The dogs and I would strike out, selecting a random direction and wander until we decided we’d had enough. GPS didn’t exist back then so I would leave “breadcrumbs” behind me so we could find our way back.
Those are some of my fondest memories. Even when I was lost and scared, I felt an exhilaration that normal life cannot compete against.
Somewhere along the way I stopped letting myself get lost. I don’t know why. But then I remembered how much fun I used to have exploring and decided to try once more.
It is every bit as magical as I remember it.
What did you do as a child that you absolutely loved but no longer do? Please share your stories in the comments below.
7 responses to “The Magic of Getting Lost”
Great story. Thanks. I used to play in Rocky rivers. Sliding between the rocks in the cascading water. Building days and having a blast. Too old to do that now so instead I enjoy watching my nephews and great nephews carrying on this favorite activity.
One of my good friends we grew up on the same street…the field behind our street was at that point in time undeveloped, and had wonderful well worn paths,… sun baked dirt paths with just enough small hills to let you catch some ¨air¨ if you were biking fast enough. I will never forget those paths, the smooth dirt, the beauty of a rockless patch where one could let your wheels fly and the wind in your hair.
Then to take a break under the hydro tower where the wild strawberries grew.
We didn´t know what foraging was, it was just part of a normal day.
That sounds like such a magical experience, Carla. Thank you so much for sharing.
Sometimes I think we’ve lost something wonderful with the changing trends.
I used to build fairy houses using local plants and scrounged items. I haven’t thought of those in years. Thanks for the reminder.
Ooh, fairy houses! I haven’t thought of those in a very long time. I imagine they were beautiful!
Annie Today is May 17th.
I was just watching a youtube video about a Kentucky tornado . So i thought i would reach out from up here and see if Annie was impacted. May u be well and prospering as usual.🌼🌼🌼🌼
From Carla the Canadian
Hey Carla!
Thank you so much for checking in!
It was a bad storm but I live away from the area that was hit. I’m fine.
Big hugs!
Annie