To saunter…
“Happiness is like a butterfly, the more you chase it, the more it will elude, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.”
A few weekends ago, I had a moment which arose, in which ‘I remembered myself’, and felt a deep sense of happiness.
A good friend and I rose before dawn, and drove an hour and a half, into the mountains of our local National Park (Namadgi National Park) where we walked into the hills to watch the sun rise and the land awaken.
In the pre-dawn light, I could see my breath. The air was crisp which helped me to wake up, literally, as well as figuratively. I’d been looking forward to this walk. Not for the destination (beautiful as it was), but for the sharing of an experience with a friend. An experience that many do not make the effort to do - exchanging comfort for inspiration and connection.
As my friend pulled up, and I walked the path from my home to his car, the neighbourhood was quiet, and the stars were still out. Putting my backpack and walking sticks in the boot, and then getting into his car, I noticed an eclectic mix of music was playing in the background. Between our conversation, and the hum of the road, this became the sound track for our drive south, into the mountains.
'living vividly'
6 am on the Boboyan Road
Australian Capitol Territory
There is something about being a passenger on an early morning drive. I watched the crescent moon and started to notice a calm, yet happy feeling arise. I was with a friend, who, like me, respected nature and needed the return to the ‘wild’ to recharge.
On our drive, and walk, we spoke of many things - including this need, which sometimes meant solo adventures, walking and camping, and exploring. Not just the land on which we were, but, I think, more importantly, what parts of ourselves we found within the experience, and how this helps us to connect with who we are.
“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within [you] than a secure future.”
While we drove, and were still approaching the mountains, a unique sensation arose. It was a return to a vivid adventurous spirit. A sense of purpose. A feeling of being connected with my purpose. I’ve always found that a return to nature gives me this. I think it is because the pace of life ‘out there’ is different, and that pace, or rather the difference between it and ‘city life’ can be felt. And time spend experiencing the natural flow of life builds not only a connection to the land, and my path through it, but also with those who I am blessed to be able to walk with.
“...these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently...”
'the wild lands await'
View from Boboyan Road, heading south
We arrived at the small and empty car park at “Settlers Track”. Our walk was going to be the 9 km track that would take us past the historic homesteads, huts, and other historical sites, maintained by Parks ACT (link here).
'the past, is past, as the sun rises'
Brayshaw's Homestead
built in 1903
'from the shelter of the years'
The fireplace in Brayshaw's Homestead
Walking before sunrise, miles from the sounds of civilisation can yield some wonderful opportunities to connect with the pace of life. Birds awaken, and wildlife can be seen. As we left the open field in which the first homestead was located, we disturbed a mob of kangaroo, who, like the whitetail deer of my youth, were grazing calmly, only to disperse into the wood at our approach.
'The path into the day'
The path between Brayshaws Homestead and Westerman's Homestead
Having done some long walks in the past (link here), there is a pace of life on the trail that easily returns. Moments between conversation and silence, when you just listen, respectfully, to the water running and the wind blowing.
'feeling the presence of the past'
Bridge over Grassy Creek, just before Westerman's Homestead
The Australian Alps has such an interesting history, not only of the First Nations who lived across the region, but also of the early pioneer settlers, who have left a number of stockmen’s huts, and cottages across the region. While some are mere remnants of what once was, many have been lovingly restored by the work of the Kosciusko Huts Association (www.khuts.org), who retain, restore, and re-build these for those who venture out into the Australian Alps.
'Friendship'
Sunrise and Westerman's Homestead
Settler's Track, Namadgi National Park
My buddy and I are both, what I consider, ‘artists at heart’. And while he’s a better cook, and photographer than I, we both enjoy these elements of life - seeing the aesthetic nature of life, and celebrating it.
I’ve always believed that life is an adventure, and that if you can find people you admire and spend time with them, your life will be impacted for the better. In my library, I’ve got my Dad’s old leather-bound Harvard Classics, and remember reading the 1600’s book by Cervantes, Don Quixote, in which the faithful squire of Don Quixote says:
“Tell me your company, and I will tell you what you are...”
'an insightful path'
Settler's Track, walking toward Waterhole Hut
The Settler’s Track is an easy track to get to, and to walk. While we only saw one other hiker that day (as we were almost back to our car), it is well maintained and frequented by many local bushwalkers and outdoors people. The day we walked, it was cold, and a little windy… yet we were both prepared, and the conditions made it feel even more remote than it was. They helped to connect us with an appreciation of what life would have been like for those who lived on this land before us.
'Morning Tea'
Waterhole Hut
Settler's Track, Namadgi National Park
Being a hopelessly curious soul, I am interested in history. What has happened, and what circumstances those who have gone before us endured and arose from. Perhaps because I’m the son of teachers, or perhaps because I just love stories, I have a passion for history. Growing up, many of my ‘best friends’ were people who were long dead, and yet spoke to me from the words they wrote. Our conversations may have been largely one way - as I read them from the books of my parent’s library, but to me they felt vivid. They felt as though, at times, they were written for me to read.
“The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.”
On the Settler’s Track, ACT Parks has done a remarkable job of putting together signage, with interesting information about the history of the huts, and the life of those that lived there. I couldn’t help myself and took photos of every one of the signs I came across. I found them both beautifully composed, as well as informative. Congratulations to the ACT Government, the Australian Alps National Park, Kosiosko Huts Association, and ACT Parks Conservation and Lands.
'...be informed, knowledge is power...'
The information sign at Waterhole Hut
Built in 1939
Early on in my university days, I remember watching an Italian film, “Il postino’ (The postman) wherein a rural postman discovers how to see vividly the poetic nature of life through his interactions with one of my favourite poets, Pablo Neruda. I remember, now over 30 years later, how Neruda taught him in the film how to 'SEE’ the aesthetic of life. The postman, Mario, eventually realising that:
“Poetry doesn’t belong to those who write it; it belongs to those who need it.”
To me, the artistry of life is in creating pathways of insight between experience and growth. The impact of these connections matter deeply. They can inspire people to reach inside and find their own strength, their own courageous narrative. And hopefully enable them to be their best selves.
When viewed this way, so much of life can become a path toward insight. Ideally a path which can be shared with those you care about.
'sharing an insightful path'
Settler's Track between Waterhole Hut and Pheasant Hill
'from a distance'
Looking from Pheasant Hill to Westerman's Homestead
'a place to rest'
Top of Pheasant hill track
Settler's Track, Namadgi National Park
We are lucky in Canberra. There are so many wonderful and beautiful places to explore and spend time in. I know that is the case for every place I’ve lived, and is the same, I suspect, if you look at wherever it is that you live.
Some places and experiences may take a little ‘adventurous spirit’ to get to, however they are so worth the effort. More importantly, in making that effort, you will gain insight into your own experience and story… hopefully inspiring your personal growth.
If you resonated with this post, reach out and contact me today. I’d love to hear from you!
James@insighfulpath.com.au.
'returning from the mountains'
The view from Hospital Hill Lookout
Namadgi National park
