Canyonlands Field Institute offers free community classes for people seeking a peaceful and connected experience with the outdoors. Sponsored in part by a grant from the Grand County Economic Development Department, this free event is a highlight and delight for people seeking intentional spaces in the community. I joined a group of fellow Moabites on this “Mental Health Hike” for a day of conversation, community, and connectedness.
Alison Anders and Elizabeth Bercel greeted us, ready to guide us into the outdoors. They are passionate about mental health and seek to create inclusive opportunities that destigmatize mental health struggles and illuminate strategies for self-care and mental and emotional healing.
On a bright and hopeful Sunday morning, nine of us headed out to Professor Valley Field Station up River Road. This was a “challenge by choice” adventure, organizers said: the theme of the day was water, and we were encouraged to seek space for slowness, reflection, and connection.
We began the hike with a “sit spot,” a chance to find a place to dangle our feet in the clear stream, guarded above by the Rectory rock formation. For ten minutes, we gave our attention only to our surroundings. When we gathered together to report our observations, we noticed we were not alone—dragonflies, hummingbirds, and even a deer had visited the group.
Next, we came into our bodies and out of our minds by focusing on the five senses: what we heard, saw, touched, tasted, and smelled. A quick lesson on haikus and some space to arrange a 5,7,5 syllable poem captured the exercise in poetic perfection.
We then used watercolors to help tune us into the details and essence of the environment by indulging in the classic childhood art. We were struck by the difference of approaching this activity in a group of adults, rather than children: we noted the inner child is a powerful presence over the inner critic. A discussion on the vocabulary of colors provided rich context as a creative group member crushed sandstone rocks together to produce an ochre hue and terracotta texture.
After lunch, we meandered with the spring-fed creek, reveling in spots of cooler water and creating connections of this theme to our lives, noticing the obstacles that water needs to move through. Yet it continues to flow gracefully, and finds its way.
We were then led through a playful practice: partnering up to create a boat out of natural materials which we then released into the creek. The “Lazy Lady,” crafted out of twigs and leaves, took the win; but this excursion wasn’t about winning, but rather about the act of observing the currents of life. Sometimes it’s okay to eddy out when life gets moving too fast to stay afloat. Pausing to reflect on the metaphor of nature in life allows space for gratitude to bubble up, trickle in, and refresh the soul.
Invigorated and exposed, eroded and energized, everyone was shaped by this experience in their own unique way. As ubiquitous as water, even in the desert, water provides perennial fulfillment.
Former teacher and manager of Pack Creek Ranch Donnaley Wolfe reported her delight in participating, saying she “must have dreamed herself here.” We all parted happy and in good spirits, refreshed and grateful.
If you’d like to join the next hike, there are two more opportunities this summer on June 25 and July 8, with themes around the mind-body connection and growth mindset. There will be more hikes in the fall. You can register and find more information at https://cfimoab.org/events/mental-health-hikes/.
