Paddling for Wellness: Danae Newallo Our People, Their Stories

From the time I was a kid, I’ve found solace in unplugging and spending time outside. My recent journey through the Boundary Waters presented both a fresh challenge and an opportunity to reset and renew.

As a child visiting my family’s home country, Trinidad and Tobago, I fell in love with escaping the city by exploring the great outdoors which makes me feel more connected to the earth.

As I established a career and a family, I maintained that love for the outdoors and the peaceful nature of camping. Over the years, I’ve taken many opportunities to travel and practice mindfulness through yoga and meditation. So, when my boyfriend invited me on his annual trip to the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota, I jumped at the chance to reconnect with the world around me.

The Boundary Waters is a massive wilderness area, accessible primarily by canoe. Despite my lack of experience canoeing, this trip, which consisted of hours of paddling, was definitely outside of my comfort zone, but I was eager to embark. So, I packed five days of clothes, food and supplies into my backpack and set off on my journey of discovery.

The Boundary Waters welcomed me with open arms. I could not believe how much crisper the air felt in the wilderness. The regular murmur of car noises and horns was replaced with the sloshing of our canoe and loons calling in the distance. On our first day, we navigated open waters for hours until we eventually had to get out and portage, carrying all our belongings and boats across land to the next body of water. We repeated this cycle a few times until we reached our secluded campsite. Setting up by the water’s edge, I was in awe of the natural beauty of the towering trees, babbling streams and glassy lakes.

Mindfulness has become an important part of my life and I find it incredibly important to be connected and present every day. While preparing, I knew the trip would be a physical challenge, but I didn’t realize how much the experience would reset and recenter my mind. My surroundings became a sanctuary, and without any cellphone service, I became much more aware of each rustling leaf and water ripple as we hiked along winding trails and paddled through the waters.

My favorite part of the trip came when I tried my hand at fishing off our canoe. My boyfriend and I paddled into the middle of the lake, which was so clean and clear that I could drink straight from it. The sport of fishing involves lots of waiting, but I never felt myself growing impatient, instead taking time to really feel the sun beams on my face and enjoy simply being still. That didn’t last forever, though, as soon I was reeling in a 30-inch Lake Trout. Maybe I was too relaxed, because all of a sudden, the trout made a sharp turn, and I nearly lost my pole. The rush of catching a fish was so exciting. I caught several other fish, including bass and walleye.

When I returned home after my trip, I brought back more than just memories. I brought back a renewed spirit, a deeper sense of mindfulness and an appreciation for the balance of working in a bustling hospital and the serenity of the great outdoors. My oldest son who recently turned eight; I don’t know where he gets it from, but his newest favorite activity is fishing. Maybe next year, we’ll welcome another camper with us on our trip.

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Danae Newallo, Food & Nutrition Supervisor at UnityPoint Health – Meriter shares her story of reconnecting with the earth and what she learned from unplugging in Our People, Their Stories. Read other team member stories at https://bit.ly/OurPeople_TheirStories .