Adventure with Alex

I recently read an article by Emma Marris that makes a wonderfully commonsense argument: kids who play outdoors on their own terms develop a deeper connection to nature. She cites solid research suggesting that Leave No Trace philosophies are only appropriate for adults, but kids should be allowed to run a bit wild – even if they will pick some forbidden flowers. I posted the article to facebook and twitter, where lots of people appreciated this refreshingly relaxed point of view. Meanwhile, I congratulated myself for already encouraging this sort of deep, playful connection to nature.

The very next hike my six-year-old son and I went on – a long backcountry romp in the San Gabriel Mountains – I slipped into a routine I didn’t even know I had of reigning in my surefooted, nature-loving boy. “Stay on the trail.” “Don’t throw rocks.” “Don’t scare the lizards.” When I started…