Allison Burbach (11/4): Ecology of Eden and Wilderness Trail Reflection

Upon my reflection of the Ecology of Eden and “Wilderness Trail”, I got to thinking about created places versus the wilderness. I know places like the Mariners’ Museum Park are created, manicured places, yet I still enjoy them. On the other hand, the National Parks I have visited seem like wilderness upon first glance. However, this class made me think about how my habitus was decided for me well before my arrival into the habitat. Even National Parks, highlighted landmarks and created trails determine one’s itinerary. It would be out of the ordinary to wander off the trail through the woods, perhaps you might even get in trouble for digressing from the created norm. Thus, in our urbanized world, have we ever explored a place in a way that was not already decided for us?

Perhaps the trails dictate our physical paths, but we still have the power to decide our pace, what we choose to observe, and what we gain from the experience. In created places, I think it can still be up to us to decide our habitus.

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