LDS Earth Stewardship discussion

Readers,
I hope you've been able to track down one of the two books we'll be discussing on August 7 in Sandy. Until then, this site is a good venue for discussing the books. Please post your thoughts and questions. Thanks.
-Peter

Because I had already read Undaunted Courage, I chose Voyage of Discovery for this book group. Voyage of Discovery differs from Undaunted Courage in that it interleaves the history of the Lewis and Clark expedition with Steven Ambrose's family experiences retracing the path of the explorers. The Ambrose family has made this into a summer-long tradition for at least 25 years. Almost a pilgrimage.

I'm intrigued by the idea of pilgrimage, the idea that retracing a physical path leads to some inner enlightenment. Traditions like these - often with a religious focus - pop up all over the world. Young adults of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints re-enact the pioneer trek to Utah. I recall Bruce Chatwin's Songlines, about the aboriginal Australian belief that certain physical paths recount the creation of the world. I don't know if Ambrose would use the phrase "inner enlightenment," but he clearly sees these annual family vacations as instrumental to the development of his strong family ties spanning generations.

For myself, I have a certain hike that puts me into a pilgrimage state of mind. It's a long hike, giving my mind plenty of time to wander, to recall other occasions that I have done the same hike, what I saw where, how I felt, etc. One time covered by snow, another time running with spring melt, and another time sere under a merciless sun. I go back to this hike again and again. I don't know that the hike enlightens me, but it certainly gives me a chance to re-orient my thoughts. Kind of an ambulatory meditation.

What you've written here is lovely.
I've done daily walks for over seven years. No headphones. I just listen to the rustling trees, the birds, or a stream. It's definitely therapeutic. There is something amazing that happens as my mind opens up and I receive answers to questions I have or creative ideas for implementing. God is there.