We all know how nature has been misused and even abused throughout the years. Finers have been pointed at large companies and refineries, blaming them for the loss of what we consider beautiful. While these large corporations do deserve some of the blame, the general public at large also has to answer for the things they do.

I cannot begin to count the numbers of times I have ventured into the great outdoors only

To be slapped in the face by a big disappointment. The reason or destination does not matter, as there is a cry for help! This cry does not come from your family or friends, or maybe even someone you disliked when you were growing up. This warming heartfelt cry comes from the world around us, and all too often it goes un-heard. Many times, what I see crawls up my backside the wrong way.

My feelings are probably tied to the way that I was raised though. I do not remember it, I have seen the photographs that show I was on my first camping and fishing trip at the young age of six weeks. I was all nestled in my playpen that was covered with mosquito netting. There were green grass and trees nearby, with the cool blue water of the lake in the near distance, as my mom or dad watched over me. This outing, and many more like it, lead to my feelings and love of the outdoors and nature in general.

My years spent at home with my parents, and the many years that followed, have not changed the way I look upon nature and the cruel injustice that is being done there. I am not trying to point fingers at any person, group or section of the world. Is there any wonder why we have the devastating earthquakes, hurricanes, and even tsunamis? This is nature’s way of not getting even with us, but in cleaning house.

I do not know how many times I have gone camping or hiking, only to see soda cans, candy wrappers and other remnants of civilization on the trail. This reckless littering is something that really crawls up my backside the wrong way. Years ago, I started carrying a trash sack with me, just to bring these items that were left behind by others back to a proper disposal place.

I want to leave nature as beautiful as it was intended to be, for the future  generations to enjoy it as I have. Everything I pack in, I pack back out and then some. I leave nothing behind, not even so much as a cigarette butt. I believe in leaving no trace of my activities or my whereabouts when I venture through nature.

There is an old saying , “Leave Only Footprints, and Take Only Photographs!” For the most part, this is a good idea. But we all know that we often go out in search of that special rock, limb or other item that seems to call to us. I have picked up my share of these items, as I am sure everyone has. I do not take just to be taking, but I’m looking for something specific, as I hope you are. It may be a log or rock for the landscaping in the front yard, or it may be something as small as a smooth, and pretty stone that you carry in your pocket for good luck.

So while we are out enjoying nature, let us all make an effort to try and leave it at least as good as we found it, if not better. There will be many generations ahead that are entitled to enjoy the beauty and power of nature as it was meant to be.