I had the opportunity recently to purify both. While backpacking at Indian Cave State Park with some friends, I sweat quite a bit in the 90-degree weather with an over-loaded pack strapped tightly to my back and hips (will I ever learn to pack light?). And the hills were no help.
The park is located in the southeast corner of Nebraska over looking the Missouri River, which is why we encountered so many hills during our two-day trek. As is common in late August in this central state, the air was still humid and the temps rose high with the sun. Instead of the job market or politics, shade became the hot topic as we pitched camp on a scenic ridge in the park. With no fans, no AC, no electricity whatsoever, a tarp and a tree were the mainstays of our relief. And for those of us who didn't fit under the tarp, sunset was definitely worth celebrating.
When we arrived back in the city, my skin was shocked by the chill and stagnation of the air conditioning. I couldn't wait to get out of the building and back into the "real" air I'd become accustomed to over the weekend. Another thing I noticed (that I've noticed after other camping trips) is the clarity of my mind after not listening to music for an extended period of time. There's suddenly a strong influx of media when I return to my home and workplace, and I can actually feel the space shrinking in my brain as I re-assimilate. Music can be so uplifting and powerful, and TV keeps people in-the-know, but, really, were we designed for continuous diversion?
