Disclaimer: Please don't turn this into a "Don't ever bring earbuds on the trail" discussion. This is not that. If you think it is, read this again.
Hello folks! "If the birds are chirping, let them sing". I made this up about a year ago on the Pinhoti when I started waking up before the sun on trail. I found that the first thing I did was pop the earbuds in, and the last thing of the day was pop them out and ALL in between was audibly lost. When I began waking up before daylight found a phase of the day I do not miss and that phase is the world coming alive for the day. From the desert in New Mexico to the deepest depths of the 100 mile wilderness, the birds wake up the woods. I will listen to the birds for a couple hours and then if you pay attention all the commotion slows down for the day, and that's when the earbuds go in now.
I do not put earbuds in, in situations that I could step on a snake...So no earbuds thru the wooly months of the year for me but in winter, early spring, late fall they add a good deal of enjoyment for me. On these trails consisting of extended road walks ie Pinhoti, Sheltowee, CDT...I enjoy them greatly in the road sections.
So what does this phrase mean to you?
What are your morning rituals?
What do you do differently now than you use to?