Monday, September 8, 2008

My Pine Forest

I grew up in a small town in southeastern New Hampshire. That is where I developed my love for the outdoors. As there was not much to do, I (with my brothers and sisters…and friends) spent a lot of time exploring. I loved running around in the woods, playing in fields, climbing trees and just sitting and watching animals ‘doing their thing’ in the forest.

When I look back at my past, I will say that my fondest memory would be at the age of 9, at my grandmother’s house in Newcastle, ME.

She had a large house on a private road. The house sat on a cliff, overlooking the Atlantic and bordered on two sides by a forest of large pine trees. I did love sitting out in the yard, looking out over the beautiful beach and watching the waves crash on the rocks below. My siblings and I had a great time climbing up and down the 50 foot cliff and playing at ‘our beach.’ But most of all…when thinking about this time…I can…still to this day, close my eyes and transport myself back to the pine forest surrounding the house.
I inhale and can smell the soothing aroma of pine. I walk barefoot on the ‘featherbed’ of pine needles that line the floor of the forest. The gentle crackling of the dried needles beneath my bare feet send tingles up my spine. I lie down, feeling the softness of the forest floor. Looking up, the tall pines shelter me on all sides. Large pine cones are scattered, as if sprinkles on a cupcake. I could sit there for days, walking, sitting and staring at the glimpses of sky through the tall bushy trees, rolling around…getting the needles stuck in my clothing and in my big head of hair. It is pure delight.

My love for that little forest of mine was enhanced by the constant smell of salt in the gentle ocean breeze, along with the feeling of being completely safe and secure in ‘My Pine Forest.’

23 Comments:

Rhea said...

Places like this, from our past, are priceless. No matter where we go or what we do, we can always return there in our memories for comfort.

Thanks for sharing your special place with us, Tent Camper. :o)

Unknown said...

Ahhhhhh, almost like being there...

Marcea said...

I understand where you're coming from. There's just something about Pine trees.

btw thanks for leaving a comment, I was surprised. :)

also to your previous post. Do you guys actually hang around watching for their reactions at the checkout line?
I thought it was pretty funny and Im sure i would have gotten a kick out of it if I was gutsy enough. It would be nice change to see their face expressions instead of being so unhappy.

Debz said...

Nice. And that's one of the big reasons I love Christmas.

said...

I love pine. I grew up around pine trees and never fully appreciated them until I moved here. Not many pines around here. We used the pine needles as insulation for our other plants during the winter months.

Your writing is beautiful. Thanks for transporting us there, TC.

Russ said...

Damn I miss Maine. I had been going to Maine every year since I was three (with the exception of two summers, one was for college summer school and the other for honeymoon in Aruba). I haven't been in two years now.

Unknown said...

I miss the pine plantations from near my old home, back in NZ.

When I was gowing up in Matamata, there was this area of trees behind our house. Sort of a mini forest. Blackberries and raspberries used to grow wild under the trees. I can still smell those berries and have happy memories of wandering, by myself, through those trees and collecting buckets of berries for my mother to turn into pies and jam...

Swirl Girl said...

I wonder if this beautiful place survived the onslaught of human encroachment (i.e Super WalMart and Taco Bell).

I wonder if our kids will have memories like this place....

Unknown said...

Oh how I love that... I too have a special forest from my youth, and I adore getting out in a forest and closing my eyes - the smell instantly takes me back to that place and that time and that feeling.

Beautiful post.

preTzel said...

That sounds so relaxing and just what I need about now!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic memory! And now we all know what to get you for your birthday - a little pine smelly thing for your car!!!

Gucci Mama said...

What a magical place for a kid! I'd like to go there right now...

Anonymous said...

Sounds beautiful.

amelia bedelia said...

great memory! you were lucky to have grown up in such a scenic place. i grew up in the panhandle of tx and i can close my eyes and still remember the tumbleweeds blowin' 50 mph!

for a different kind of girl said...

What a great memory to have tucked away.

Anonymous said...

I know that smell. I miss it. And the ocean? I hate being land locked in the midwest, believe me. At least in Cali, you still have the ocean--and you can actually swim in it since it's not 58 degrees!

Wendy said...

That really brings back some memories, except in mine, the forest was also filled with under-brush and briars, it was easily 100 degrees most days, and once I got lost. But they're great memories, none the less. Thanks for bringing them back to me!

Jennifer and Sandi said...

Sounds heavenly! I can smell it now! Thanks for sharing!

- Jennifer

Lula! said...

This was beautifully written, Chris. I give you supreme props!

Maddness of Me said...

Pine trees and woods are pretty common here in Michigan. And lakes, lots and lots of lakes.

It's beautiful and I love it. I just hope I don't have to move because of the economy.

Obama for yo mama 08!!

:)

Anonymous said...

Love, love the smell of the woods and the pine trees. What a great memory.

Kgirl said...

That really stinks. I am new here and have laughed my ass off at some of your blogs. Oh, well, from one camper to another...good luck.

Laura said...

Just recently found your blog so I'm sorry to hear you are going private, I've enjoyed joining you for an occasional pee!

 

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