10 Comments
User's avatar
Steve Leitschuh's avatar

I remember when they were called Tree Huggers! People opposed to the mass cutting down of entire forests. My bride doesn't trail run but we do get to the mountains and walk the trails... it's quiet and if you sit quiet for long enough, you'll see wildlife ... In what they call the Black Forest in Northern Minnesota, I saw a deer run by and a couple of minutes later a wolf came by on the same trail. I'd never seen one in the wild and was pretty shocked by its size. I had my camera but never even thought to take a picture... I was so memorize by him. And to think, people hunt these magnificent beast for sport... it take all kinds to make up a world.

Expand full comment
Ruth Beardsley's avatar

What an inspiring story. I hope all his trees thrive.

Expand full comment
Belle Cook's avatar

Outstanding!

Expand full comment
Terrell Johnson's avatar

Thanks so much, Belle!

Expand full comment
Jodi Osborne's avatar

What an amazing experience that turned into an inspirational quest! Thank you so very much for sharing.

Expand full comment
Terrell Johnson's avatar

I loved talking with him (even though it was several years ago). I remembered him last night and just couldn't get him out of my mind -- it was one of those experiences that just stays with you. I hope you don't mind me sharing something that isn't quite down the middle vis-a-vis running, but is kind of adjacent to it :)

Expand full comment
Brian Pillsbury's avatar

The spiritual awakening that happens once you quit drinking is real. I run in Florida and have started to become and expert on all the different varieties of Palms.

Expand full comment
Terrell Johnson's avatar

Totally agree. I quit drinking for a year once, about 20 years ago; though I later resumed, I never drank again the way I did before. How long ago did you quit?

Expand full comment
Brian Pillsbury's avatar

That is awesome. It isn't easy but I'm glad you came out stronger. 5 1/2 years ago. AA's 12 steps saved my life. One day at a time.

Expand full comment
Maria's avatar

My husband and I took a trip through Northern California's Redwood Country. In Jedidiah Smith Redwoods Park, we hiked a trail through these magnificent groves. It was an almost religious experience for us both. The quietness was immense, but at the same time, I felt that the trees were talking to us.

When I came home, I read a couple of books on trees. I recommend Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben. Really interesting.

Expand full comment