Issue link: http://janet.uberflip.com/i/1534146
I seem to get to the mountains faster in the dark, and before I know it I'm at the trailhead for Mount Colden, the eleventh tallest peak in New York. I sling my backpack over my shoulders; it's light enough for a day hike, but I'll be carrying a little more weight than usual on this trip. The timing for this adventure comes with the passing of my Yaya (or yi- ayia, Greek for grandmother), Rose, whose passing was just a few days ago back in Rochester. I hit the trail to clear my mind, so off into the woods I go. It's often when I'm out on a hike or backpacking trip that 'things' — my life, my relationships, even the state of the world — become clearer in my head. In fact, there's research backing not only the physical, but also the mental and emotional benefits of being outdoors. Many have heard of the term "forest bathing" by now, a contemplative practice developed in Japan in the '80s that involves being immersed in the sights, smells, and sounds of the forest. Nature's healing capabilities have been proven among studied groups that show increased self-es- teem, motivation, and mental well-being. Today, many take to long-distance backpacking trips like the Appalachian Trail to deal with a life event, while others simply find a welcoming spot to sit among the trees. Like many will say about their own grandparent, my Yaya was the best. She touched many lives in northern New York teaching English and directing plays and musicals, and could be found singing those showtunes in her home kitchen. And never without a story to tell, I would sit by her at the dining room table listening to her life in the North Country, waiting to exchange my own stories from galivanting through the mountains. My headlamp illuminates the trail in front of me while I begin to make out the shapes of branches against the dawn sky. My mind is first consumed by the sounds of Marcy Brook rolling along the trail, and wondering what sort of squirrels or pine martens are watching me from the safety of the brush. But it doesn't take long for my hike to mentally kick in, and I This place feels sacred, cathedral-like, and I know whatever thoughts or feelings that cross my mind are safe here HOOK 31