“It’s the not the destination, It’s the journey.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance
Since 2017, ACE students and teachers have been taking a twice-annual trek into the woods in Washington, CT’s Steep Rock Preserve. On Friday, October 13th, eleven students and two teachers faced their superstitions head-on and took to the woods at Bee Brook. Inspired by the beautiful forest, the breathtaking fall foliage, the Shepaug River, and the Transcendental quotes that span the railing on the Thoreau Bridge, the group spent the day hiking and writing and sketching nature in the New England countryside. We ended our day at Averill Farm in Washington, CT enjoying the windy field, a few dogs, and freshly baked apple cider donuts.
Still…remember the date. It was Friday the 13th and the day held a few obstacles which required us to be brave, work as a team, use problem solving skills, and laugh in the face of adversity.
“I loved the poetry hike,” said junior, Khriselynn Rivera. “My favorite part of the day was when we were sitting at the picnic table and two dogs came running over and I helped my friend overcome her fear of dogs.”
“I loved how we had fun, even though many things happened along the way that made it interesting. For example, we got lost on a trail, the picnic table we were sitting on collapsed, we got stuck in the mud, and my phone fell into the river (but it’s still working!),” said Dayanara Burgos-Ramos. “At the apple farm, I bought my mom a beautiful mum and two pepper plants and she was so happy when she came home from work.”
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Students enjoy a hike on a beautiful day.
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Henry David Thoreau knew what being alive was all about – being in tune with nature brings peace and self-awareness.
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It was a fun and friendly day.
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The walk across the bridge was interesting.
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Taking a restful break from hiking.
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Students returned to ACE in time for the afternoon bus, exhausted and happy with plenty of stories to share. If you’re interested in attending our next poetry hike, we will be setting out again in Spring 2024 (just not on April Fool’s Day, I promise!)
“What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny compared to what lies within us.” -Henry David Thoreau
