Living on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, Ashley finds that an urban experience’s ambient energy adds to the pace of daily life and to that need for periodic and intentional reprieve. “When I get outdoors, everything else melts away. I can breathe differently than we can between concrete and cars. I feel closer to creation when I am outside.”
Simple, non-specific moments in the outdoors—rather than a focused pursuit, such as Durrell’s hunting or dog work—have always been a source of comfort and connection for Ashley, connection to place and people. “I grew up in Atlanta, and growing up we would always take a walk, or a bike ride, or a hike as a family after church. For me, it was all about bonding with the people who I cared about in a space where I felt free.”
As Ashley grew older, she found other points of contact in the outdoors. She came to love the hours spent taking pictures, writing in her journal, or simply watching Durrell as he worked his bird dogs. Undefined moments in nature became something of a spiritual exercise, an expression of independence that set her free from the defining roles of daily life. She found that she did not need to rely on any specific activity; the simple act of being outdoors was enough. “I like to hike, bike, run, and be in the water. I like it all. I guess mostly I just like being together with the people I love in the outdoors.”