We went to Brown’s Bog on a day with crummy weather. I think this had a large effect on my view on the trip. There were no birds chirping and no sun shining through the trees. I think on a day with nice weather, Brown’s Bog could have seemed much prettier and full of nature. On the day we went, it seemed kind of dead. There did not seem to be much life there, other than what was constantly reiterated to be poison sumac or poison ivy and we had to be sure to stay away from it. There were small things growing from the ground that looked like they could have been mini tree stumps. This was interesting to me because the only other time I’ve ever seen this was at a national park in South Carolina. I know that they were not actually the same thing, based on looks and how they would have been described differently if they were, but it was still interesting to see the visible similarity. If given the opportunity, I would love to visit Brown’s Bog again on a nice day to be able to truly take in the beauty it has to offer.
“Economy”
Thoreau talks a lot about the “necessaries” of life in this chapter and how they intertwine with the economy. He focuses a couple pages worth on what people wear and how wasteful the more wealthy are. His comments about one being truly comfortable in their own clothing, comes from the multiple wears, something that the wealthy do not experience. This makes me think that Throeau has a conflicting opinion on the difference between the wealthy and the poorer.
Reaction to “The Village”
Reading this passage connects with Thoreau’s attitude towards nature and solitude in the way of how he describes his journey between his house in the woods and the populated village. It is clear that he prefers being in the woods, around his cabin, because the speed and chaos of the city is too hectic and overwhelming for him. He doesn’t like being bombarded with questions of paying taxes and other societal norms/requirements.
The Fallen Trees
During our visit to Johnsons Woods, the fallen trees were what stuck out to me most. There were some that had clearly fallen naturally, and their roots were sticking up from the ground, while others looked as if they had been mechanically, literally by axe or chainsaw, cut. Seeing what appear to be logs that one would use to build a fire in a fireplace, precisely cut, was surprising and somewhat disappointing. I thought it took away from the natural aspect of being in nature. In regards to the boardwalk, I do support it being there, although it, too, somehow takes away from the true nature of being in the woods. I support it because of the increased accessibility it creates and that it holds visitors more accountable for their actions in the woods.