By Matt Miller, SGVCUE Board Member
Under a canopy of (I think that’s a) Ponderosa Pine and (I think that’s an) Oak Tree, I begin to write a blog about the importance of disconnecting from tech. I’m no tree expert, and with no cell signal, Google is not any help, so all my tree na
mes start with, “I think that’s a…) Sitting at a campground picnic table, I unconsciously check my cell phone, don’t know what for because to get a signal, I have to drive 45 minutes down into the Yosemite Valley, but for some reason, I need to see that glow.
My family and I have been looking forward to this week long trip to one of the most beautiful spots in the country from the moment we proved victorious in the Yosemite Campground reservation battle 6 months ago. For the past few years, staying outside the valley has been very nice. Total disconnect, no power poles, no lights, no cell service, it’s a nice, calming disconnect, until you realize you have an accident prone 5 year old boy with you.
After spending a full day in camp, I find myself not carrying my phone anymore. All it’s 
good for is the time, and I’m on vacation, so who needs to know that? 36 hours (so far) with no Twitter, Facebook, Instagram notifications, no emails, no texts, and no Amazon.com shopping (this vacation may save me some money). We decided that we’ll head into the valley tomorrow to hike to Nevada Falls. We prep our clothes, bags, water, snacks and everything we think we need to take a 5 and 7 year old on a moderate/strenuous intensity hike. With enough gear to require a Himalayan Sherpa on a Mt. Everest expedition, we go to bed early to make our early morning wake up call easier.
We’ve arrived at the trailhead, and after making sure the kids have fully emptied their bladders, we set out. The crisp cool air is rejuvenating. The mist from the rapids of the Merced River feels so nice. And if you look very carefully through the trees, you can see a deer grazing on some leaves. With phone in pocket, I’m prepared for any photo opportunities, and there are so many of them. The start of the hike is a steep incline for about a mile, but the reward of seeing the power of Nevada Falls is quite the reward. After a rest, snacks, and more photo ops, we set out for the top. I quickly find my kids are part mountain goat as they leave me in the mist, it’s not called the MIst Trail for nothing.
After a long day, we return to our campsite and it dawns on me, I never took my phone out of airplane mode. I had planned to reconnect with the world once I got cell reception in the valley, but the hike and constant outbursts of, “Get away from the edge!” directed to my son, I forgot about my goal of joining the grid again. That moment didn’t last long, dinner time, campfire, and s’mores directed my attention to where it was really needed, my family.
I wish I could say I never connected to the grid during my week, but I’d be lying. My mom was not about to go a whole week without pics of the grandkids. For me to leave my emails, texts, and everything else unanswered is a difficult task, but the downtime was needed and very much appreciated. Upon returning home, I was able to spend the next day relaxing in the comfort of a Wi-Fi signal, deleting junk email, liking posts, and retweeting anything I missed out on. As summer draws to end, I hope you have found some time to disconnect, unwind, and relax in any manner that works for you. We spend our lives in the field of education constantly worrying about others. Is he going to do his homework tonight? Is she going to be on-time to school once this week? Did she eat breakfast today? 
Please make sure you think about yourself and what you need. If you are not happy and healthy, then how will you be able to take care of those students that we’ll be seeing very soon?
Here’s to the end of summer and a successful 2018-2019 school year! And don’t forget to turn your airplane mode off. Now to take my own advice and shut this computer down so I can get back to relaxing…my battery is almost dead anyway.
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