“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.”
– Robert Louis Stevenson-
I’ll bet Stevenson’s words are sung through the heart of a young child: children don’t really care so much about the where, but that they are indeed going. What if we all viewed life so innocently? We simply stopped and enjoyed. We simply stop to explore and see the world from a new perspective and refuse to judge its simplicity, but rather seek its complexities? Maybe you’ve been there and done that before, but what–myself included–can we find that is unique this time? Notice how young children take in everything around them and are notably curious. Do they really care that they’ve been to this park before? Probably not. Children are typically always happy to be at the same park, time and time again.
Recently my family and I went camping. During our trip, we took a few “walks through the forest.” As you can see in the picture above, we were on our own little discovery trip. I could not believe how much my little guy enjoyed our trek. So much in fact…I realize we must do this more often! He jumped in a nearby creek with another little friend, made attempts to catch butterflies, and simply embraced his chance to explore!
While I always enjoy a good hike, it was when my friend and I sailed on our own adventure that I realized I am not taking this all in…I am not “all-in” this “great affair to move.” Okay, I was moving of course, but I was seeing the world through the weary eyes of a grown up. My observation pounced upon me as I noted the many treasures D was finding in the forest. See the image below:
Now, what does this look like to you? Let me give you a few seconds to think about that………
Okay, it’s a vertebra. You see it right? 🙂
Now the second image I do not have a photo of, but she found a feather. We think maybe an owl feather, which she placed into her simple braid. She hoped for an Eagle’s feather as that brings good luck according to the Native Americans. None was found that day, although I am sure one is in her future.
At this point, I was beginning to admire her proclivity for finding random objects, and I also questioned my lack in surveying the area for hidden treasures. And then what do you know…soon enough, we found the “treasure” of all treasures. Okay, I reluctantly admit she spotted the item first, but we both examined the unknown object in total awe and admiration. I was beginning to feel like a school girl. I felt a tinge of jealousy rising in my chest as we admired the unknown object. Seriously, though? Who manages to find so many little gems? Alas, I will not keep you pondering. Here is what was found:
A curious object isn’t it. Can you place what it might be? Now I will not declare this piece’s position yet. I want to encourage my readers to follow along and chime in regarding what you think this object might be. Please come back on Friday to find out D’s discovery. In the meantime, try to view this image through they eyes of a child. I encourage you to have a discerning eye for hidden treasures, although I will not confirm or deny that it is a treasure at all. What I will do is encourage you to have fun, explore our world, and get moving for the sake of moving.
Good luck! Thank you for sharing this adventure with me. Now go and discover the world through the eyes of a child!
Update to post: My father conveyed this bit of info to me. So please note for the safety of Bald Eagles.
“The Bald and Golden Eagle Act prohibits anyone from taking, possessing, or transporting any bald or golden eagle, or the parts, nests, or eggs of such birds without prior authorization.”
US Safety and Wildlife Service
This is quite interesting. Now, you have created a mystery and wish to read more. Very well narrated. 🙂
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Thank you! This one took some time as I’ve been thinking about how I would approach this quote. I actually had not planned on including the camping trip, but my muse visited early this morning and somehow I finished the post. Thank you for reading, and I hope you have fun with guessing the object. 🙂
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I am guessing that object to be some pottery, looks like a broken jar.
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That is a wonderful guess! Come back Friday for the answer please. Thank you for partaking in this challenge too! Much appreciated!
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It’s my pleasure, I enjoyed this. You really know how to increase the surprise level, now I am feeling like a kid who wants to know what it is 😀
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A wonderful read! We often look for the complicated & sophisticated things in life. But happiness & joy can be right in front of our eyes. My kids seem to get the most laughter out of rolling around with me on the living room floor versus a $100 trip every weekend to the amusement park!
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So true! Our kids really want our time and their parents. At least when they are young, the transition to teenage years changes the game a bit–they become more of a thrill seeker and probably would appreciate a trip to the amusement park, of course not every weekend. But consider what we wouldn’t mind ever weekend? Mom’s cooking, maybe dad’s BBQ? It’s the little things we remember best. You’re children will remember those times you wrestled about and will one day pass on to their kiddos. Isn’t life a blessing. 😊
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An interesting read, I love your take on how to enjoy an adventure. I myself enjoy going out with youngsters as they know how to enjoy their adventures and that how I still think too.
Hmm interesting finds. It’s quiet evident that you enjoyed your trip too.
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Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to read. Yes, always fun to explore with children.
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My pleasure and anytime
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To experience the world through the eyes of young children is such a joy. To be there when they see something, or experience things for the first time. That’s what motivated me to become a teacher. Seeing that light in their eyes that makes their whole person glow.
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That’s wonderful Maria! I have such admiration for those who teach little ones, such patience. And how you all get them to follow directions so well is amazing.
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Reblogged this on Leadership2Mommyship and commented:
I’ve been out exploring, and I thought I might share a past adventure/quiz with you. Come back Friday for the answer. In the mean time, I hope you are enjoying your own summer adventures. 🙂
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Its great to see you back Sharon. I loved this post. I think I have a big bit of the child in me! I wonder if that object might be an old inkwell?
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Lol. We will see Brigid. It does have the charesterisitcs of an inkwell. I can tell you we were very fascinated by the piece.
And thank you for the advice on re-blogging. I think summer is a good time for a reblog–as you mentioned. I was suppose to hike today with a friend, but sadly her pup is hurt and she had to cancel. I was viewing my old blogs and thought…well this one is perfect! A small tribute to our future hike. Hopefully we can find more goodies soon! 🙂
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Great post stimulating us to re-look at those wonderful things we see but don’t see. We are always trying to do this and what a gift it is to truly see the wonders and mystique of our planet.
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Hi there! Yes I love finding things outdoors. I didn’t realize how much until this particular hike. For some reason we found all sorts of things. Maybe because the little one was with us. My friend and I both have teenage daughters and have hiked with them as well–it seems like we cruise to the destination a little quicker. The younger kiddos slow you down. But this is a good lesson– at least for me. It requires we peek around a lot more! By the way, what do you think the curious object might be?
And I will have to visit your blog soon and see how you’ve both been. Thank you so much for stopping by.
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Yes when on an outing with children we slow down and see again through the eyes of a child. Isn’t it great. As we age we are making the effort to slow down and see the beauty in life. This may sound strange but we think it was a plunger head?
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Lol. Come back this Friday and hear all about our discoveries. And yes as we age we really do appreciate all that is around us. I am learning this is very much true. Hope to hear from you both on Friday. 🙂
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We sure will be back Friday. We wouldn’t miss it!!!!
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Yay thank you both!
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You are most welcome.
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I have a basket full of treasures-maybe 30 yrs now! rocks and feathers, shells etc-found by the kids. rhe world is full of treasures.
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Ahhh…yes it is. I hope you are doing well. How is life at the rabbit patch? I really must head over soon! 🙂
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Hi Sharon, Life is busy and good. I am downsizing and the preparation is grueling, but satisfying. Visit when you can. I hope your summer is going well. thank you, love michele
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This post makes me recall some of the treasures of my childhood – the smaller ones kept in an old cigar box I also treasured. Little keepsakes are now confined to my Christmas tree as ornaments reminding me of my adventures and my friends, some no longer with us except in spirit.
The mystery object looks like a water bottle of some sort to me – it makes me wonder who abandoned it as well.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to educate a world!”
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Madelyn I love that idea! If we have a box of treasures why not pull them out at some point of the year to celebrate those memories, Christmas is a perfect time. You’ve just influenced what goes on my tree…thank you!
I would like to know how and why the object is where it is. Maybe one day we’ll head back and look for this item, but I’m not bringing this piece home with me. 😉
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And I’ll bet you washed your hands thoroughly on return from the woods – lol.
My tree has very few “balls” – almost everything is something connected to a memory. I love putting up my huge tree and gazing in reverie throughout the season (and long afterwards – lol – I have an artificial so I don’t have to rush to take it down, and I never do!)
xx,
mgh
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Oh you bet I was flustered because I hiked without my hand sanitizer!
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hahah – you won’t do THAT again, will you?
xx,
mgh
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No! I’ll take a really close look…lol!
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