Gayle M Irwin

Six acres of forest land 20 minutes from my home beckons me each spring to return. At 8,000 feet in elevation, this land my husband and I purchased 1 to 3 acres at a time over 22 years is mostly inaccessible during winter. Therefore, when snow melts and spring beauties arise, we take to the highway and climb the mountain, going about ½-mile away from the county road through a forest of lodgepole pine and aspen trees.

On a small portion of that acreage sets a 12x40 cabin, larger than most tiny homes, but still small enough to leave most of the land in its wild state. It’s a recreational acreage, with no running water and no electricity, except for the solar panels and batteries we set up nearly 20 years ago. We also purchased a solar generator and panel to go with it. We’re able to power lights and a small, portable refrigerator. My husband built a free-standing deck, away from the cabin so that the snow that melts and falls from the steel roof doesn’t shorten the deck’s life.

This place is a sanctuary for us and the animals that reside in the area. I’ve written many articles and several books at this place, and the quiet allows for reading and reflection.

 

Every time I go to the property, I see and hear wildlife … or at least signs of wildlife. Black bears and cougars have been known to roam the area, but we’ve only had one sighting of a bear and that was more than 15 years ago. We’ve seen signs on occasion, but mostly those larger mammals keep to themselves. Pine squirrels, mule deer, and various songbirds often share the property with us, and one year a pair of goshawks nested in a lodgepole pine tree not far from the cabin.

Spending time outdoors is good for the body, the mind, and the soul. Scientific research confirms being in nature benefits a person’s mental and physical health.

In her book, This Outside Life: Finding God in the Heart of Nature, Laurie Kehler, cites various studies that showcase the importance of spending time in nature, especially for children. She quotes Rachel McCormick, who wrote an article in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing: “Access to green space was associated with improved mental well-being, overall health and cognitive development of children. It promotes attention restoration, memory, competence, supportive social groups, self-discipline, moderates stress, improves behaviors and symptoms of ADHD and was even associated with higher standardized test scores.” Kehler goes on to say, “Spending time outside is good for your insides.”

Many American forefathers had foresight, setting aside lands for generations to come. Yellowstone National Park became the world’s first national park in 1872. Those who previously explored that landscape convinced the U.S. Congress and the then-President, Ulysses S. Grant, that this particular area of the United States deserved protection. Neither Wyoming nor Montana, the two primary states in which Yellowstone is found, were even states yet – they were territories. Today, more than four million people visit this incredible landscape. Had it not been set aside for the public, the plants, animals, and geothermal features would likely have been exploited … and no longer exist, and generations of America’s residents and visitors would never have been exposed to the natural beauty of this unique place.

More national parks came into being after Yellowstone, and today America’s National Park Service manages more than 430 parks, monuments, battlefields, and historic sites. We are blessed to have these special places, and we need to continue to steward them wisely for our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and beyond.

Recently, my dad and I visited Yellowstone. This park has a special place in our hearts. I grew up in Iowa, and when I was four years old, my parents and I visited Yellowstone for the first time. Nearly every other year, we would make the journey from our home near the Mississippi River to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Occasionally, we’d travel elsewhere, such as the southwestern area of Colorado or up to Minnesota, even Canada. However, most “big” family vacations were to Wyoming and Montana as well as the Black Hills of South Dakota. We hiked. We camped. We fished. We took photos. We loved the outdoors, and we shared it as a family.

 

In 1978 we moved to Wyoming. My parents and I enjoyed the western states so much, and at that time, Wyoming experienced an economic boom, allowing my parents to find jobs quickly. We’ve never returned to Iowa to live. Not that the state has no outdoor experiences – we spent more than a decade on 14 acres of land, woodlands, and pastures. However, there’s just something about the large expanse of land and sky in Wyoming and Montana that my parents and I genuinely love. And I’m thankful to my parents for teaching me the joy found in creation and to respect and cherish the beauty of nature.

I encourage you to take time to spend outdoors. Walk a green space near your home. Visit a park or garden. Spend time in your backyard. Plant flowers. Walk along a beach or in a forest. We have this incredible Earth to enjoy, so bask in the beauty and tranquility of creation, using your senses to take in the majesty while benefitting from the physical exercise of walking, hiking, and wandering and providing your mind and soul the opportunity to relax, reflect, and recharge.

I weave nature into most of my books, whether they be the children’s stories I write, the Christian devotionals I compose, or the sweet and Christian romance books I craft. As summer draws ever closer, if you’re interested in reading books that include Yellowstone National Park, are set near Glacier National Park, or simply comprise encouragements to spend time outdoors (including my children’s stories Cody’s Cabin: Life in a Pine Forest and A Town Dog Named Mary Visits a Ranch or two of my holiday romance books, Highwood Holiday: Falling for the Single Cowboy Dad or Tails of the Heart: A Wyoming Pet Rescue Romance), I invite you to review my various books for yourself, friends, family, and the younger readers in your life.

 

Visit my Amazon Author Page to learn more about all of these books and more by using this link:

https://www.amazon.com/author/gayleirwin

If you’re interested in reading Kehler’s book, This Outside Life: Finding God in the Heart of Nature, find it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3SxCnQ7

Books similar to Kehler’s include:

Embracing the Outdoors: The Profound Benefits of Spending Time in Nature, by Paul Andrew Miller 
The Benefits of Connecting with Nature: How Nature Heals, Restores, and Transforms Your Life by Pearl Gemstone Alomar
Benefits of Nature: More than 25 Easy Ways to Incorporate More into Your Busy Life by Joy Rose
The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative by Florence Williams
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, The Nature Principle: Reconnecting with Life in a Virtual Age, and other books by Richard Louv.