Oh jesus I think half of us read it wrong.
Much of nature simply can’t be observed until you immerse yourself in it. After living in a national park for 7 weeks last summer (I wasn’t completely without modern conveniences but it was a lot more natural than I’m used to), I can attest that it’s a completely different experience than just going on a short camping trip. You develop a sense for things that you can’t get without making observations over a period of time; the moon moves across the sky by this much each night, the yellowthroats live on this part of the mountain, the katydids chirp faster when it’s warmer out. I’m a big fan of those subtle things and it takes a good degree of intimacy with nature to find them. Makes me feel like most of us out here living our modern lives are missing out on a whole lot…more than we can even imagine.
I’d miss that connection.
Also…probably even bigger for me. Readjusting the hustle-bustle of “normal” life was the hardest part. Living in the park felt the way I imagine it’d feel to be stoned for a solid two straight months. Just perpetually blown away by everything I see and experience, super relaxed all the time. I felt like I would never know stress again. That obviously wasn’t true…and coming back to that was a bummer.