I never had a full literal comprehension of taking the road less travelled until now. It all started with trail running. After the first couple of months here, I grew tired of running down Chewonki Neck Road every day, and so the green overgrowth of the 300 uncleared acres of Chewonki Neck lured me in.  There is something intrinsically cathartic about dodging roots, mind and feet in sync. Before I was familiar with the land, I would pick a trail and follow it, never quite aware of where it would lead me. But often times I found my mind wandering and I started to long for exploration, off of the trails.

Now, I start as if I’m on a run; pick one of the trail entrances to the woods, but before I even finish the first mile, I find myself noticing something unique about that particular area, and I bush whack through trees to explore my surroundings. Getting myself lost in the woods was always hobby of mine when I was in grade school, and I’ve picked it up again. I find at Chewonki that I don’t have the same demands as at home to be doing something that others interpret as having substance, so I have the luxury of walking aimlessly in the woods for hours without worrying about being misjudged or missing out on anything crucial. And, can I say, the rewards are amazing. Each view over the water or cool clearing in the woods I find is better than the last. The woods give me time to self- reflect, without outside influences and distractions. And when I finally succumb to the pull of my homework or find myself missing human interaction and I walk back to the quad, I always have a smiling, welcoming community to return to.

-Kacey Jones, Waccabuc, NY