When I need to re-kindle my sense of optimism, I head into the outdoors. It’s there, amongst family and friends, and dirt and trees, that I’m reminded of all that I hold dear about my community and this great (and messy and flawed and striving) country of ours.
Now, due to COVID-19, as I log miles in Tilden Park, I see folks of every race, creed, class and color, all re-kindling their own optimism, all rejuvenated by the healing power of Mother Nature.
She washes away, if only for a moment, the stresses that divide us: the twin pandemics of COVID and racism, our polarized politics, our social media squabbles. It is there amongst the trees that I realize that there is still far more, even in 2020, that can unite us than divide us.
So, as we head into the waning weeks of 2020, I wish for myself, and each of you: more time together in the outdoors, more time building community, more time as our best selves.
Wishing you a holiday season filled with the smell of pine and the joy of community. It might feel like all we’ve got – but now more than ever, it’s a gracious plenty.
Missy Park
Founder
Hello Title Nine! I love you guys. Where is that awesome hot springs shown in the photo?
Isn’t it! We’ve pledge to the locals to keep it a secret!
I just pulled your catalogue out of the mailbox and the minute I saw the cover I knew where you’d been. That’s gotta be [name redacted]..? Glad you got to get a bit of Idaho Backcountry – but please don’t tell anyone where it is 😉 The whole area is a gem within the Gem State.
Yep, we swore to the locals we’d keep it a secret. Thanks for doing the same!