Page 49 - TA Magazine Winter 2022

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An experiential walk through nature, BY BOYD HOPKINS

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I’ll be honest,
I am not in the forest this morning.
Well...I am, but I’m not.

At this very moment, I am seated in the library at Blackberry
Mountain (hands down my favorite structure on the property)
surrounded by forest, with my joyously tired feet turned towards
a roaring fire. The blue flames are dancing the Beltane fire dance. The crackle
and pop of ancient air and the haunting hiss of steam soothes the soul as it
escapes from the dense oak wood where it has been sequestered for nearly a
century. It is one of those oddly enchanting days on the mountain where time

Illustration by HOLLIE CHASTAIN