Nature Restores the Soul

A Day in Nature Redeems

Coming off a crazy 2020 like all of us had, we hadn’t traveled much. Travel is something that I have found to excite my spirit. It challenges my mind, teaching me knew things every time I go somewhere. Mid 2021 as my husband and I discussed a quick get-a-way, ideas were tossed around. An off our beaten path Maine was thrown out. It’s always been in the back of my mind, so I said sure, let’s go to Maine! A quick online research brought me to the Eastern Coast and Acadia National Park.

To be honest, I had never heard of Acadia National Park. Growing up in the Midwest, most of the East Coast was never really part of my bucket list. We are outdoors people. We love water, spending much of our summer around lake water. We Jeep ride down to the family farm, soaking in fresh air by the creek while watching the kids dig in the sand or trample through the water. We enjoy nature without a doubt! But I had never experienced a trip that was ALL about nature. We planned very little on this trip to Maine. Our goal was to unwind and detached.

Once we arrived at our little cottage at the mouth of a bay, I knew this was going to be a great week! We drove into Acadia each day to hike, exploring a new area each time. While there we hiked 38 miles of trails, summited 8 mountains and soaked in incredible views! We’d hiked here and there in the past, but nothing like this! It was intense at moments, challenging my fear of heights! And some moments were the most serene of my life. Exhausting your body, climbing up steep mountainsides only to come around the bend to unbelievable 360-degree views of the ocean was an experience I’d never had. It was breathtaking. It was immensely rewarding! Each day we’d chose one of these summits to sit and have lunch, just soaking in the majestic sights. I have never felt more unplugged in my life!

We’d retreat each night to our little cottage and the back of a bay, watching the tide either roll in or out. With it came the harbor seals that would come rest on the rocks that the disappearing tide reviled. Some of the more spry, young pups would jump and splash around. It was such a wonderful way to wrap up each day, just absorbing more nature.

As the week progressed, I became more interested in this magical place. What was the backstory? How did I not even know it existed! I grabbed some books and as we watched the fire crackle each night, I read up on this place that had captured my heart.

A History Worth Knowing

Spearheaded by nature enthusiast, George Door, Acadia National Park as we know it was brought to life by the efforts of many. Door started his efforts in the early 20th century to preserve the landscape. According to the National Park history, Dorr, accompanied by others, established the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations on September 12, 1901 for the purpose of “…acquiring, owning and holding lands and other property in Hancock County for free public use.” Donations were slow at first, but the tracts kept growing through the tireless work of the Trustees. By 1913, the corporation had acquired 6,000 acres across Mount Desert Island. Finally in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson gave federal status to the land now known as Acadia.

Another interesting figure associated with Acadia is John D. Rockefeller, Jr. As a landowner on the Mount Desert Island, he focused his resources on enveloping the area to maximize the access the beautiful areas of the island. With his own money, he created more than 50 miles of trails for carriage and horse rides.

Beauty for Ashes

In the fall of 1947, wildfires consumed the island. The fires, which burned for days, were finally brought under control by U.S. military forces, National Park employees and local residents. By the end of the fires, 17,188 acres burned. Of that, more than 10,000 acres were in Acadia National Park. Property damage exceeded $23 million dollars. As they had done before, conservationist and nature lovers were called in to action to restore what was lost and preserve what was left under the ashes.

According to the NPS website, two crews came in. One was hired by the park, and one was hired by the Rockefeller family. They logged timber to salvage and clean-up. Some timber was left, even still visible today, in order to prevent soil erosion.

Learning this vast history reminded me of why I started Diva Prints. I flashbacked to watching the devastation of the Brazilian Amazon as it burned for months. It’s why we too are on our mission to replant and restore. Much like the men and women who shaped and restored Acadia National Park, we at Diva Prints are excited to leave our mark on mother nature. A positive impact that will be enjoyed by generations to come. so much work to be done. Had these founding citizens not had the foresight to preserve this natural gem, I would not have had the opportunity to experience it more than 100 years later. Have you ever stopped to think about that? Stopped to think about the positive impact you can leave behind by the choices you make daily?

Had so many not worked to restore the area after the fire, it’s beauty would not be shared with millions. It takes a village, but we can certainly all do our part to leave our Earth just a little better than when we walk across it. Experiencing the beauty of nature is a gift. A gift we all deserve and we at Diva hope to be a part of restoring for years to come!

“The antidote to exhaustion isn’t rest, it’s nature.” -Shikoba

For more information on our efforts to restore Earth, visit divaprints.com/why-diva   or follow us on FB and Instagram.