About 20 minutes south east of Shippensburg is a lake in Pine Grove state forest. My friends and I drive out there any day of the week, any season. Today we are actually driving out there for a bit, have lunch and just hang out. The best part about it, there is now cell phone service and no civilization--just water, woods, and blue skies. In the summer, we lay out in the sunshine, swim in the crystal clear water, and enjoy everything natural around us. In the winter, the lake is frozen with a foot of ice and blanketed with snow. Any little tree branch that falls or a bird that chirps can be heard from a half a mile away. This lake is one of my favorite places to be.
When I'm in complete solitude, It almost has an erie feeling. Silence is so rare that it is kind of scary. The lake is as about quiet and natural as I can get these days. I feel like nothing bad can get me.
Even though I strongly feel offended when Dr. Baurlein says we are the 'Dumbest Generation,' I do feel that we can get too caught up in our blackberries and home theaters. Contrary to Dr. Baurlein, it is not just our generation, but everyone who is living in this technological era--including Dr. Baurlein himself. I wonder how long he could survive without his smartphone and GPS. Thank god we have not reached the technological level that the book Feed is about. Everyone has their moments caught up in all our electronic luxuries. I have to admit that I once caught myself in a bad mood because my car needed gas, I didn't know my pin number for my debit card, I didn't have my speed pass or cash--I was stranded. But I realized a few minutes while I waited at the gas station for my mom, that this is pathetic. I am pathetic that I was complaining about putting gas in my car when people don't even have enough food to feed their families. Anyways, getting a little off subject, it is hard not to depend on our technology when it's everywhere.
I would love to not have to depend on my cell phone, computer and TV. I feel like people would have a greater appreciation for things made by nature and not in a factory in China. My favorite quote from Thoreau is "We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep." I believe Thoreau is saying how nature is always constant. The sun will always rise and will always set. Nature is not a fad.
I'd love directions to the lake! Since I moved from Michigan (where there's a lake around every corner) I've missed the water. I'd love to visit this place!
ReplyDeleteI would love directions too! But I agree I find myself taking for granted to many things I have that others could only dream of, like a house, cable, heat, hot water etc. I think technology is great and essential in today's society but it's important to step back and really apprecaite it.
ReplyDeleteI agree that its definately a little scary for silence. I'm doing the challenge right now and I always have to find something to occupy myself with because I get a little freaked out when nothing is going on. I also agree with Molly when she says that we have to appreciate what silence is and how it compares to "noise"
ReplyDeleteto get to the lake you take queen street past Giant towards South Mountain, take a right onto Baltimore Drive, drive for about 10 or 15 mins up over the mountain, take a right onto 233 south go for about another 15 mins and then its a dirt road on the right after the reservoir on the left. I would advise waiting until all the snow melts, we got a little stuck the other day when we went haha
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