“Unlike moderation, temperance does not push us into the mediocre middle ground. Instead, we maintain the discipline to find a balance point between robustness and risk, the weights on either end of our scale.”
I love how you put this. A fine distinction too often overlooked. I thank Sam for the pointer to this rich essay about your hiking adventure.
I’ve spent many solo hours and days in quiet contemplation among the pines and streams of the Rocky Mountains in years past. I miss it terribly.
Thank you Dee! I had extensive plans for spending autumn in the mountains this year, but found all of that upended by the hurricane that hit the southern appachians. The good thing, however, is that nature is all around us, even in the most unlikely places, and it's always good to take time to appreciate it!
Your story reminds me of a place we used to visit, Falls Creek Falls. It’s not even a hike anymore since the road has been put right in where they built an industrial facility of some sort. That hike used to have around 20 creek crossings. Some of them were through rapid-flowing water knee-deep, so the chances of falling down after slipping on the rocky bottom were high.
We were camping out there once on July 2nd. It rained all night and snowed first thing in the morning. High elevation. We had to hike out with the creek flooded with extra water and it was up to my waist in a lot of spots! I’ve rarely been that cold.
Wow, that sounds intense! I’ve kept these visits to the warmer months to avoid getting wet in the cold, but then I have to deal with the humidity of the south!
I felt such comfort reading about your journey of stoicism. I'm not sure I could ever reach those levels but it sounds delightful. Your writing has changed so much since the beginning when I first found you.
Oh, and I would've turned around and hightailed it out if I'd encountered a bear. I have so much respect for your bravery!
Awesome! I’m still changing up my writing style, little by little. Its all a work in progress, but I’m glad you’re getting something from it!
Although the bear surprised me in the moment, I knew my chances of encountering one were pretty good. I had an even closer encounter near there many years ago!
Hahaha! The vast majority of the time they are terrified of humans and just want to get away from us. If I hadn't caught sight of the one in this story at just that moment I would never have known it was there.
A really enjoyable read Erik. I love how you bring the reader along on your adventures and your words really bring the landscape alive. Seeing the bear must have been amazing. I am not familiar with the concepts you describe around moderation and temperance but for personal fulfilment I can see the importance of staying out of the middle ground.
I knew my chances of seeing a bear were pretty high at this time of year, but it did catch me by surprise. I just wish I had been able to take a quick photo!
I view temperance as just that- being able to stay out of the middle while staying in rational control.
Thanks for your comments, they're always valuable!
“Unlike moderation, temperance does not push us into the mediocre middle ground. Instead, we maintain the discipline to find a balance point between robustness and risk, the weights on either end of our scale.”
I love how you put this. A fine distinction too often overlooked. I thank Sam for the pointer to this rich essay about your hiking adventure.
I’ve spent many solo hours and days in quiet contemplation among the pines and streams of the Rocky Mountains in years past. I miss it terribly.
Thank you Dee! I had extensive plans for spending autumn in the mountains this year, but found all of that upended by the hurricane that hit the southern appachians. The good thing, however, is that nature is all around us, even in the most unlikely places, and it's always good to take time to appreciate it!
💯
Your story reminds me of a place we used to visit, Falls Creek Falls. It’s not even a hike anymore since the road has been put right in where they built an industrial facility of some sort. That hike used to have around 20 creek crossings. Some of them were through rapid-flowing water knee-deep, so the chances of falling down after slipping on the rocky bottom were high.
We were camping out there once on July 2nd. It rained all night and snowed first thing in the morning. High elevation. We had to hike out with the creek flooded with extra water and it was up to my waist in a lot of spots! I’ve rarely been that cold.
Wow, that sounds intense! I’ve kept these visits to the warmer months to avoid getting wet in the cold, but then I have to deal with the humidity of the south!
I felt such comfort reading about your journey of stoicism. I'm not sure I could ever reach those levels but it sounds delightful. Your writing has changed so much since the beginning when I first found you.
Oh, and I would've turned around and hightailed it out if I'd encountered a bear. I have so much respect for your bravery!
Awesome! I’m still changing up my writing style, little by little. Its all a work in progress, but I’m glad you’re getting something from it!
Although the bear surprised me in the moment, I knew my chances of encountering one were pretty good. I had an even closer encounter near there many years ago!
I live at the base of the Rockies and I've never seen one in my life!!
Hahaha! The vast majority of the time they are terrified of humans and just want to get away from us. If I hadn't caught sight of the one in this story at just that moment I would never have known it was there.
A really enjoyable read Erik. I love how you bring the reader along on your adventures and your words really bring the landscape alive. Seeing the bear must have been amazing. I am not familiar with the concepts you describe around moderation and temperance but for personal fulfilment I can see the importance of staying out of the middle ground.
I knew my chances of seeing a bear were pretty high at this time of year, but it did catch me by surprise. I just wish I had been able to take a quick photo!
I view temperance as just that- being able to stay out of the middle while staying in rational control.
Thanks for your comments, they're always valuable!
I'm envious of these wild places that you have access to! Lovely photos and words as always.
It's nothing much compared to the American West, but I love the areas around me!