Labor Day weekend. A lot of college students choose to go home and visit their friends and family back home. Because of an uncertain work schedule, I decided to stay on campus for the weekend.

My boyfriend and I were trying to find something fun to do to get off campus that was cheap. A lot of people from our university have gone to this place called Starved Rock State Park. I had seen their pictures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and I saw how beautiful it was. I told him we had to go.

Sunday morning we packed our bags, grabbed what we needed, and headed for Starved Rock. Once we finally got a parking spot, I threw only the necessities into a draw string bag to carry around. I originally didn't want to take my phone with me, but he felt more comfortable that I carried it with me. I threw it in but I turned it on the lowest brightness and do not disturb mode to save battery life. But by leaving it on those settings I experienced something greater than I imagined.

The entire day I was only thinking about what I was seeing and making sure we stayed on marked trails. I was enjoying being away from campus for a little bit. I never once had the urge to take my phone out and send a Snapchat to my friends; all I wanted was to keep on hiking. I am still so surprised that I didn't have the urge to be on my phone. Normally I am attached to my phone and want to be Snapchatting everyone.

There were times were we definitely did not know where in the park we were or which way to go next or which path to tackle next. I just kept saying, 'Who cares if we are lost, it's all part of the adventure!' There were times where we were both out of breath, but we kept going! All those miles were worth the gorgeous views we had and the memories we made that day.

I felt so calm and peaceful while we were out there. Honestly it was hard to admit I was too tired to hike anymore and leave. After the several hours and miles of hiking we finally threw in the towel and headed back to campus. On the ride home I still didn't have the urge to check my phone. Looking back to that I honestly don't know if I have felt that calm and peaceful in a long time. I didn't have to stress about letting all of my friends know what I am doing at every minute of the day. I could just focus on the moment. I would go hiking in a heart beat just to get out and enjoy the fresh air and nature.

So if you are feeling stressed or need a break from life, stop and go take a hike somewhere. After all, "Not All Who Wander are Lost."