Elizabeth Dean: The Noland Trail as a Natural Setting

Natural Setting- The Noland Trail
My experience with the Noland Trail opened new doors into the world of religion. Previously, my deliberation with a sense of otherworldly manifestations halted upon waking from my nightly slumber. However, when alone with my thoughts and exploring the majesty of the Noland Trail, I realize that there is simply too much beauty within the world to overlook the workings of a higher being. To stroll past a creek bed and observe a family of ducks, waddling from the shore to the lake, encapsulates a heaven too indescribable for a religious script. Or rather, consider the joys of walking next to God's creatures, completely oblivious to the academic, political, and social worlds that otherwise govern our daily lives. In fact, perhaps therein lies the wonder, the mystical admirations that encompasses that which is the Noland Trail; it is where one finds solace, a place to become one with nature, in the way that God intended; it is a place of reflection, to affirm the believable and hash the qualms; and finally, it offers silence, so one may have a quiet conversation with oneself, as well as with the Lord.