The sun's thinking about creeping over the horizon for the start of a beautiful day. Camp is quiet except for muffled snoring from some nearby tent. No one has stirred, no coffee or bacon aroma on the breeze, and no reason to emerge from the warmth and comfort of my sleeping bag. I resist the temptation to roll over and collect another dozen winks before the chaos begins.

Slipping into my down jacket and camp shoes, I unzip the tent as quietly as possible, which still imitates an irritated rattlesnake and is sure to wake someone. As I emerge from my safe nylon home, the world is fresh and wild before me, unspoiled and unaware of the hectic day ahead. This is the time of day reserved just for me and the wildlife.

Exploring with others, especially youth, is one of the most enjoyable ways I can imagine to spend a day, helping them experience nature and the wilds around them. But, the style of exploration with a group is different than solitary walks. A dozen or twenty feet clomping through the woods, with or without a handful of voices being exercised, makes for rare animal encounters. Most animals have long ago fled our invasion reaches them. We occasionally encounter a deaf deer or lame raccoon, but that is the exception.

Real hope of seeing animals requires an early rise, stealth, and silence. That's why I venture out alone before camp wakes. I head into the breeze, slow and watchful, with high hopes. My reward may be nothing more than a lone chattering squirrel or a set of obscure tracks. On the other hand, I may catch a pair of rabbits unaware or deer grazing on moist grass. It's the anticipation that make the early morning hike such fun.

This morning, I'm on vacation Up North with my wife. I'm not on a camping trip or long trek but I still woke early and enjoyed a sunrise before guests at Pehrson Lodge were up and active. A lone stroll through the forest rewarded me with spider webs across my face, dew-soaked shins and shoes, and a few loons, ducks, and heron on the lake.

Now, I've had my selfish refreshing time with nature and am ready for the motorboats, fishermen, and the rest out here, like me, getting away from it all.

Hike On