Reflection: Other Related Research
Santa Cruz Island Expierence
By Travis Jepson (06/08/10 01:14:10)
Being truly alone in nature is a very rare experience. Especially today we can see that our civilization is rapidly impacting our environment, though nature is responding it can prove difficult to come across areas where we cannot see the influence of mankind.

I loved being to experience pure(er) air, sheer silence except what could be heard in the sounds of the surrounding natural environment. I loved the feeling of being truly alone if I chose to be. Going places that no one had been in hundreds of years was perhaps my most exciting aspect. Though I know that the island had been used in years past, some of the trails we took way up into the mountains, or far along the cost line had a feeling of being undiscovered.

For me it was not necessarily seeking out "wild" animals to interact with, but trying to picture myself in an environment outside of civilization. I have no illusions that I was living rigidly as our main camp had full facilities and modern conveniences. It was nice to be able to just be able to walk away and within 20 minutes you could not hear a man made sound. It was a peaceful feeling. What made the feeling of isolation so pleasant would have to have been the fact that we had absolutely nothing to worry about as far as predators were concerned. The closest thing to a threat on that island was a 6lb fox that was extremely playful.

Overall I loved going to Santa Cruz island and enjoyed the long trek up the series of waterfalls the most. It was great to be able to explore and have a completely new set of surroundings. I would love to go again.



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