The Nature of the South

After thirty minutes of anxiously driving and rapidly walking, I have finally reached my destination in order to observe the extraordinary south in Chewacla State Park during this humid September afternoon. As the multi-colored leaves from the giant pine and oak trees scatter on the ground where families are holding their annual trips to the lake, I can tell that summer is turning into autumn in Auburn, Alabama. While some people would rather reside in the cold, smog filled cities in the north or arid plains of the west, I would rather spend my life wisely by waking up everyday to the beautiful variety of pure nature in the south. As snowy, white winter nights turn into blossoming spring mornings, and hot, green summer afternoons turn into cool, pumpkin scented autumn evenings, traditions incessantly carry on; causing families to only grow stronger daily. From year to year, the residents of the southern region of the United States continue to preserve stunning landscapes and classic traditions.
Upon my arrival to Chewacla State Park at about twelve o’ clock, I immediately notice the heavy rays of sun beaming down on the beautiful, carefully preserved arena surrounding me. The trees, leaves, grass, and bushes portray an explosive amount of naturally attractive green tones, demonstrating the dedication to the preservation of nature in the south. After strolling into the dense, olive green woods at about one o’ clock, I observe an abundant amount of determined people walking, running, and hiking through the numerous trails that the park offers. I learn from a nearby visitor-friendly map posted on a tree that some trails exist through the steep mountains, allowing visitors to view the park from varying angles, while other trails encompass the parameter of the lake. I can tell from the detailed map that each path presents different views and settings of the park, giving each visitor the best experience of the park as possible. Quickly, I decide to take the path that circulates around the lakeside, so I can watch the calm water on this gorgeous day. Through the duration of my twenty minute stroll, I have already spotted several snakes, bugs, rabbits, and squirrels, while observing a variety of multi-colored leaves, ancient trees, and large boulders. During my walk, I pass a gardener in the process of posting bird houses on the trees and planting small flowers along the trail. As we exchange a courteous hand wave, I can only think about her seemingly small amount of work, which actually provides a great sense of friendliness along the trails of Chewacla State Park. Throughout the country, simple aspects of preserving nature such as planting a tree or flower, posting bird houses, and picking up litter have lost importance, causing Americans to forget the value of nature in everyday life. Camping, hiking, canoeing, swimming, and other outdoor activities would not exist without the preservation of the natural world. Sorrowfully, green tones in nature have altered into monotone brown tones, and animals have lost their natural homes due to littering and pollution in various parts of the country. Fortunately, parks such as Chewacla State Park have been preserved by residents in the south such as the caring gardener whom I passed; therefore, southern residents can still enjoy walks, hikes, and runs through clean, green, and friendly forests.
While walking through dangerously humid air down the narrow trail, I draw my attention to a spacious, glistening lake; however, my attention soon gravities towards the heavy rays of the afternoon sun, and I feel forced to apply sunscreen. Generally, the bright sunlight of the south holds the power to distract foreigners from beautiful scenes such as the shimmering lake in front of me because of the extreme warmth and lightheadedness caused by the powerful rays. On the other hand, many southern folk have learned to incorporate the profuse heat into their daily lifestyle, continuing their plans and activities regardless of the sweat dripping from their bodies. Unbeknownst to foreigners of the south, the weather has unconsciously become a major factor concerning the pastimes of this region. As a result of the presence of the hot sun for numerous months of the year, citizens of the south have adopted diverse activities such as rafting, swimming, and water-skiing in order to cool down from the constant heat. In the south, residents tend to thoroughly enjoy and appreciate nature’s convenient way of fighting the heat; consequently, the lake typically remains clean and respected. On this humid Saturday afternoon, families have gathered in Chewacla State Park in order to participate in these activities in the popular, cool lake. Even as children dive from the six-foot-tall diving board and the adults dip their feet in the murky water, they maintain respect for the environment. Suddenly, I spot members of a family gathering garbage from under a picnic table, where they just consumed an afternoon snack. After observing both the gardener and the family contributing to the well being of the environment within the same thirty minute period, I understand how the park has withheld obvious, natural beauty. These people truly demonstrate the love of nature present in the south by completing small tasks such as picking up litter and planting flowers, which altogether improve the atmosphere of the park. With the clean, pure appearance of the park, families tend to routinely gather in various areas for the purpose of celebrating their personal traditions.
Throughout the past centuries, the south has truly built traditions into its foundation by orally passing down established customs, thoughts, and beliefs. While sitting along the banks of Chewacla State Park, I can easily pick up a handful of old Auburn dirt. In the process of doing so, I realize that a massive number of Auburn students, alumni, and residents have either hiked, camped, or strolled through this exact spot in the park. Upon glancing around the park, I discover a father teaching basic fishing techniques to his son. To an oblivious resident of the south, this scene appears quite habitually; however, the scene precisely depicts the exact meaning of tradition. In this situation, the father obtained his knowledge of fishing skills from a relative or friend, who learned the hobby from another relative or friend. Now, he recollects the skills he attained in the past in order to teach his young son a traditional hobby of the south. Additionally, I spot a mother creating necklaces made of acorns from the ground with younger children of the family. Similar to the fishing tradition, this tradition is in the process of becoming implanted in the minds of her children as she teaches this basic, traditional skill. The environment of Chewacla State Park emphasizes tradition by placing families and friends in a natural environment, which has existed through the duration of the history of the south. As citizens of the south stroll through the park and orally express hobbies, pastimes, and job skills of their past relatives to their kin, they preserve basic traditions of the south. The park presents many opportunities to focus on and restore the traditions of the south through diverse landforms. By experiencing a hike through the ancient trails or learning a hobby from an older relative by the lake, each visitor of the park has contributed to the preservation of traditions of the south in some way.
Original southern pastimes, hobbies, and jobs such as fishing and collecting acorns have survived through the progression of numerous generations. By extending great knowledge and special skills to others, occupations and hobbies have been restored throughout the years. As a result, each generation of southern residents has perfected once difficult skills, simplifying many tasks in order to fit modern lifestyle. In most cases, original structures and items in the park have been changed, yet the basic skills taught by our ancestors still linger. Concerning Chewacla State Park, simple wooden boats used to take long boat rides have transformed into gigantic, speedy kayaks. Furthermore, old swings hanging from tree limbs have evolved into metal play sets with fancy slides. Although each of these items been altered somewhat significantly, the boat and kayak serve the same conventional purpose of traveling across the water, and the swings still provide a delightful source of entertainment. Sadly, some concepts of the past have deceased or steadily decreased in interest, but countless activities and ideas still preside. On the opposite side of the lake, one couple chats while consuming a delicious picnic on a fleece blanket. Moreover, the signs along the trail have stood through turbulences of time and still assist visitors along the very old paths of the park. In the past, these outdoor activities have become a way of diverting for the people of the south because each has been passed down through a story, tale, or example. Whether passing down knowledge of a skill, stories of a picnic, or a tale concerning an adventure through the park, generations have continued to enjoy timeless traditions of the south.
As time progresses, modern generations around the country have forgotten the value of nature and tradition in the technological society of the present. In order to fit into the time period, the country as a whole has moved on to computers and other electronic devices, which have quickened the speed and efficiency of the basic inventions of our forefathers. Although a day spent away from these technologies in a park such as Chewacla State Park seems unbearable to other regions of the country, the south has persisted in preserving as many original landforms as possible. Without the help of southern residents, the park may have become a dump or a landfill; however, the park remains in tact, with activities suitable for varying personalities. The love of nature bestowed in the hearts of southerners has provided a consistent outlet to preserving tradition. Whether participating in hiking, picnicking, acorn hunting, fishing, planting flowers, building birdhouses, swimming, rafting, water-skiing, strolling, running, soaking up the sun, or simply observing, the nature of the south provides anyone with a hobby to love and pass down to generations to come.