What are Your Earliest Memories of the Wild?
One of my most vivid recollections of early childhood is a family road trip to Yellowstone when I was around 5 or 6 years old. This trip left a lasting impression on me, and I can still clearly remember certain details decades later.
Setting Up Camp in Yellowstone
Our journey took us to a campground within Yellowstone National Park, where we pitched our big, heavy green canvas tent. At night, the smell of the canvas would fill the tent, creating a distinct atmosphere that still comes to mind whenever I think of that trip. The natural beauty of the area and the sense of adventure it evoked were deeply ingrained in my young mind.
The Scary Night with Black Bears
One particularly memorable night, my mother woke up to a noise coming from outside the tent. An animal was snorting right next to her head, and in that moment, she was terrified to move. The fear and adrenaline still evoke vivid memories whenever I recount it.
The next morning, as we were preparing to leave, a series of events unfolded that left an indelible mark on my psyche. We were about to load our 1957 Plymouth car with our camping gear when several large black bears approached our vehicle. These bears were clearly interested in the contents of the car and were almost hungry enough to break in. They were up close, their faces pressed against the windows, and their paws touching the car's roof—nature's curiosity at its most disarmingly close.
Scared Yet Fascinated
Despite the fear that gripped me, I was also intensely fascinated by the bears' nearness and their apparently uninvited interest in our vehicle. The contrast between my initial reaction of being scared and my later sense of wonder is a powerful testament to the raw and untamed nature of the wilderness.
This encounter was a wake-up call for me. It was my first direct interaction with the wild and its inhabitants, and the memories from that night remain vivid. The smell of the canvas tent, the sound of the bears' snorts, and the close-to-home feeling of those hungry bears looking in all paint a picture of a deeply memorable early experience.
Experiences like these not only taught me to understand and respect the power of nature but also kindled a lifelong appreciation for the breathtaking wonders of the wild. This encounter in Yellowstone forever changed my perception of the environment and has influenced my worldview in ways that go beyond mere recollections of a childhood trip.