Lions Gate Experience

The other day, the class and I went down to the Lions Gate Bridge we examined art and discussed what is means to Conquer the Wild. But before the class arrived I had already begun my experience with the area; I had set up my hammock in a the tree by the lake and the bridge and read out of the Bible, Hebrews 11 and 12 to be exact. I hold to a firm belief that one of the best environments to study scripture and commune with God is that of a wild environment or that which is in nature. At least nature even a nature that is surrounded by signs of civilization is were I feel most close to God.

After some brief introductions to things along the Nolan Trail and the Lions Gate Bridge we were set free to experience the place. My first action after being set free was to find some acorn tops and show people that you can use them to make a whistle. After that I quietly leaned against the railing of a bridge and observed that which was around me. Mostly I observed the water of the lake and how it lacked in ripples. Being human I naturally wanted there to be conflict. I dropped an acorn top into the water, it landed perfectly so the indented side hit flat with the water and made a loud pop. I watched it float for a few seconds and a blue gill slowly swam up to it and nibbled at it. I realized that I had inadvertently induced its natural response of feeding by dropping something small into the water and I was fascinated So I dropped another acorn shell into the water a distance away and the fish followed. I did it again. The fish quickly caught on and slowly sunk into the depths of the lake, no doubt saddened by the trick I had played on it.

This experience makes me wonder why I dropped the first acorn shell. Was it because I like chaos as I have said? Maybe it was in the plan of God for me to have this experience with the fish. Was this experience meant to teach me something? Or was it a psychological response to a stimulus of the fish or of my own design? All I know is that I had an experience with a curious Blue Gill and that I had tricked it into a repetitive response. Perhaps next time I will drop in a piece of bread as a sign of good will.