By Suzanne “Cricket” Binelli
As I have previously written about, my 4th grade teacher decided that reading topographical maps and learning to use a compass was more important than maths. While this is was fine with 10 year old me and pretty much follows along how I homeschooled my kids, at least 4 times in the past 2 months I have planned a hike that ended up 4 or 5 miles longer than it should have been. And my hiking partner failed to bring water with him on at least 2 of these hikes.
I know what you are thinking, I apparently didn’t learn maths or how to read a map in 4th grade. And that guy should probably bring water or hike with someone else. The reality is that my failure to accurately measure distances has led us to really beautiful views, rivers to soak my feet and great conversations. The part of me that does not like surprises has had to adjust to not being ‘on time’ and accept that I was the cause of it. Sometimes we just have to take the mistakes we make and turn that frown upside down…and who doesn’t want to spend a few extra hours in the woods anyway!
“This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the
Susan Polis Schutz
power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest
and be a part of nature. Take the power to control your own life. No one else can do it for you.
Take the power to make your life happy.”
Don’t let bath get in the way of a great adventure!