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Moments In Time
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Moments In Time was established in February of
1998 Owner, Nancy J. Copeland with her Grandsons,
Marcus and Ryan.
Nancy is a contract writer and photographer. Working
on outdoor photography subjects ranging from boating,
to fishing, hunting, conservation, eco-systems,
enviromental concerns and public safety issues.
Publisher, and editor of the non-for-profit sharemailer
entitled, The "Smiles" Nancy is also a free-lance writer
and photographer to various different publications.
Currently working with newspaper, magazines and
television productions.
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taken Christmas 2000
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BELOW Sharing some of the
adventure from So. Georgia in
"Burning Daylight"
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My grandsons Marcus and Ryan
taken August 2002
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Click on over to LdyBearcat's
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A proud sponsor of Dream Catchers USA
Helping to make wishes and dreams come true for those
who are terminally ill and with physically challenging disabilities.
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Sharing Preciously Published Articles:
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"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings; Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine into flowers; The winds will blow their freshness into you and the Storms their energy, and cares will drop off like Autumn leaves" ~John Muir
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Begin With One Step At A Time
by Nancy J. Copeland
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I can still vividly remember my first backpack trip. The startling vision of the panoramicvistas, the smallest of green plants, and that incredible odor of warm, musty earth while hiking above the timber line in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. We traveled carefully and considerately, to fit unobtrusively into the landscape. I became a part of nature, for the first time.
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We used a small backpacking stove, instead of building a fire from the natural wood, dipped water out of lakes and streams to wash rather than using soap, made our campsite in an area we wouldn't damage in anyway or that would have any evidence of our having been there when we left. We left out dressed in three layers of clothing, and a lot can be said about good quality, comfortable fitting hiking boots. We stayed on game trails, packed out all our own garbage. I took only pictures and left only footprints.
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I believe as Thoreau that "in wildness is the preservation of the world." My experiences gained me a basic need to be one with nature, and helped me reject the philosophy of materialism. I had a wonderful guide and teacher ... and I found not only for hiking but for life as well, that most of my obstacles were mental.
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The beginner is alarmed by a new awareness of heart, lungs, and muscles. Imagine, from your beginning point, you had just climbed 500 to 1000 feet of elevation (depending on your pace), in a couple of hours ... especially after a long winter at a desk ... you will be wheezing a little and there may even be a huff and a puff. Don't start out to set any records. Just enjoy the full walk, admire the trees, flowers, birds, waterfalls, streams, even the rocks along the way. The most pleasurable pace thus is somewhat considerably slower than the maximum. (of course, if it is getting dark and the goal you set is still distant or you are in a black cloud of flies gathering in for the kill with gaping jaws, the rule is to say the heck with fun and run a little) ...........well, at least stagger as rapidly as possible!!!
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Keeping this in mind each hiker must learn his own potential and adjust your ambitiions to match that. When your personal abilities are defined, your future hiking trips can be planned accordingly. The more one walks, the farther and the faster one can walk. Always focus on the beauty part ...linger over the fine details of rocks and springs, even mosses !!!
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Water is very essential to life as much so as air is. The old Puritan formula was to suck a prune pit or a pebble on the theory that excessive drinking endangers the soul ... (with booze maybe...but not with water). Also, gulping too much cold water can shock the stomach, dumping pounds of liquid into the body all at one fill-up can require an extened rest while the bloated tummy empties into the bloodstream. Moderation is the rule ... when you find a sweet fresh mountain spring at it's source. There is nothing better, or more filling! Not all springs are safe.
Always use extreme caution, in the streams there are various bacteria's that develop from animal droppings. Most states DNR's caution hikers from drinking unpurified water. Most bacteria is high mountain clear streams can be killed by bringing the drinking water to a full boil and boiling for 5 minutes. Water purification tablets are available and should always be carried in your pack. Food while hiking is an all day meal with me. Nibbling in small frequent installments (never overload) Carry trail mix, bread, jerky, hard cheese, and dried or fresh fruit. This keeps your energy level on an even keel.
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Ease in gradually! The beginner must test his own back, starting with modest loads and short hikes. Gradually increase the pack weight and the length and duration of trips. When an experienced backpacker is initiating a novice, maybe the honeymoon would be better spent day hiking with campground camping and an occasional night in a mosquito-less, bug free motel.
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There are bugs, beasts and snakes to consider. Don't yield to paranoia or you will lose the battle and are not long for trail blazing. Realize that bugs belong to the Earth.
If the great Architect intended wildlands to be perfectly comfortable and convenient for us humans, He would have designed them more like Disneyworld. Every hiker has bug stories, I am no exception. I have encountered flying insects with flaring wings and snapping jaws. You have a big circle of trail companions. (known as insects, arachnids and arthropods) Admire the gorgeous butterflies, the spectacular dragonflies, the ever patient spiders, graceful water snakes, the glistening beetles. (It is too much to ask to show charity for the fly). If you really have a phobia about creepy crawlies, you need to sleep in a floored ziplock tent. continue
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Updated 01-04-2003
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