The Nolan Trail

This semester I've visited the Nolan Trail three times. Each one with a different encounter. The first time I walked the trail with a friend. Even though a few miles doesn't compare to the AT trail, I felt my legs mechanically move me forward without my mind being completely conscious of its movements. As we got further into the trail, my focus turned towards the nature around me. Occasionally we'd run into other people walking the trail which broke me from the entrancement I had with the trees and animals along the trail. My second time at the Nolan Trail I purposefully took time to observe and listen to my surroundings. When I looked up, I realized the orange leaves on the trees added a pattern to the blue sky. I admired it for a while thinking how incredibly simple and small the leaves were yet the repetition of their shape added a beautiful detail to the sky. It was hidden in plain sight. All I had to do was lookup. Sometimes I get so caught up in the tasks I have to complete that I disregard the small things in life that make me happy. In the most recent visit, I watched the sunset by the James River. It was even more astounding when warm-colored sky contrasted with the cold-colored water. It was nice to take a few minutes admiring nature that doesn't have to be beautiful but is. In summary, I took the beauty of nature for granted. The slight touches the leaves and sky add to nature don't have to be there yet they exist and subtly add details to life that make it wonderful.

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