A couple weeks ago I had a last minute opportunity to spend some time in Lexington Mass with my wife’s extended family. My wife asked me while we were there, “What do you absolutely need to see while you’re here?” I said,

“Two things: Blue Man Group and Walden Pond.”

Even though our trip was short, we made time for both those things. We stopped by Walden right before we headed off the airport. I had heard visitors can swim in the pond so we brought our bathing suits. I was so excited. We parked near the back of a little parking lot and made our way down the trail.

Finally, the trees broke at a small siesta and we could see the pond! I was so stoked. It was pristine, still and covered with lily pads. We continued around the pond on an over-grown trail until we came up on some houses. Needless to say, I was pretty ticked. Who would have the audacity to build a neighborhood on pond that represents solitude and reflection?

Come to find out, we were walking around the wrong pond. FAIL.

Eventually, we made it to the real Walden and it was awesome! The water was crystal clear, there were people swimming in it, and there was very tranquil walking path around the whole thing. We walked a short distance back to the site where HDT’s cabin used to be. All that is left is the foundation. Near the entrance of the park, however, there is an exact replica HDT’s cabin and some informational placards.

I was struck by the fact that Walden pond is not very far from civilization. Granted, when HDT was there, the area was probably much less developed but that doesn’t change the fact that civilization was accessible. This is significant. We don’t have to seek out an incredibly remote, wilderness location to experience solitude and contemplation.

My tent was about a quarter mile from civilization but that didn’t effect my experience. In fact, I was a full-time student and working 40+ hours a week, yet at no time did I feel as though I wasn’t experiencing the contemplative lifestyle that Tentlife provides. At it’s core, Tentlife is a change of scenery. It’s a drastic shift from the norm that forces vulnerability and unexpectedness. At the very core of HDT’s Walden experience was this very same shift.

Simply exploring a new lifestyle can and will accomplish wildly amazing and unexpected things in one’s life

Get a tent. Live in it.

-Hoag-