The Goodland Journal: Volume One

Philosophically
this experience
can only be
described as
a connection
with the roots
of nature:
Symbiosis.
athletic expression become surface sentiments in the
outdoors, as something far deeper emerges from the
roots of the Earth: Humility.
It saddens me that some individuals never desire
to experience the out-of-body moments that force
a creeping smile upon the cracked and dehydrated,
journeyed lips in the face of powerful breezes and
massive snow capped peaks. These moments are
few and far between, even for individuals who spend
their entire lives in the fresh air with no one around
for miles. This experience can only be described as a
connection with the roots of nature: Symbiosis.
Feeling in touch and in tune with the true
movement and energy that can be seen throughout
our beautiful blue planet. Without the distractions
and ego, the smallest ants, the largest bears, and the
swaying trees all begin to seem rhythmically drawn
together. In these solo moments, having put in the
grit and grind, the sweat and blood, we humans have
a chance to feel in tune with this symbiotic rhythm.
I’ve felt this deep feeling once before, and it is
the source of tears. Tears contingent not on sadness
or happiness but overwhelment. I love the sport.
I love the endurance. I love the community. I love
the solitude. I love the success. I love the failure.
But since experiencing that symbiotic feeling, my
passion and drive in the outdoors is in pursuit of that
emotional symbiotic tie.
What the photographs and videos fail to capture is
nature’s inexplicable ability to humble the human and
reveal perhaps the largest elephant in the room of all:
We need Earth, Earth does not need us.
The sun shall continue shining down upon the
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