It is 6:00 a.m. that means time to hit the trails so you can hope to catch some cool breezes before the summer heat sets in. All you need are sneakers, water, protein filled snacks, a trail map and if you're a photography nerd like me, then you'll probably bring a good camera.
You finally have this time to just open your hearts, minds, bodies and eyes with a new experience. A complete escape from the stresses and tedious routine of daily life tasks. It's just you and the trail. Every turn you take can be an opportunity to leave behind something that is holding you back. It may be two, five or 10 miles. No matter what the distance is you're likely to encounter some obstacles along the way. Trees to jump over, snakes and bugs all try to impede on the experience. Not kidding, I've had to get on all fours before to scale the side of a rock. For some reason, you almost feel one with nature and these things that used to seem like obstacles become more conquerable. You're one with nature. The air is fresher. You can take a deep breath in and feel completely at peace with the world and yourself.
Ever since I was a little girl, I have grown up hiking with my dad. My mom has had injured feet so she has always let it be me and my dad's tradition. I have hiked with him for over 10 years now. As I get older and have work or internship commitments, it can be difficult to find the time, but no matter where we are I do some research and find a trail. It is truly special when you can find someone who you can hike with. It's someone who can be positive about not giving up no matter how hard the hike can get. It's someone who loves you even when you are sweaty and smelly at the end of the day. It's someone who motivates you to challenge yourself. It's someone who can appreciate the silence, but also knows how to create deeper conversations.
My favorite part about hiking is leading up to the reward of the view. In life, you need some sort of gratification to overcome challenges. At your job, you look for your paycheck. On a run, you look for physical fitness results. Cooking a meal, you create something delicious and beautiful to eat. Everything you do you try to find gratification. However, the gratification of completing a hike is different. The feeling can't quite be described. You spend hours twisting and turning through trails with nothing in sight, unsure of what the gratification is going to be. You have the footprints of the trail behind you and an unpaved path of what lies ahead. You're only surrounded by nature. A pure scenic bliss.
The time comes when the front of the trail has an opening. This is the part everyone waits for. That pit in your stomach appears. You're not really sure what the opening will introduce, but you are excited and eager to find out. You know you've made it and in that moment you feel accomplished, relieved and maybe a little thirsty. As you get closer the trees start to disappear and you feel like you are in the middle of a GoPro advertisement. You are quite frankly, on top of the world. Sometimes you can see little towns or homes below you, skiing trails or sometimes it's just endless mountain ranges. If you weren't breathless from the hike, then you sure are now.
I always inch over towards the edge and just sit there taking it in. At this point there is never really anything on my mind, just contentment. Part of you doesn't want to turn around and have to hike back to reality. You want to stay up there looking at the world from above. You can't see any of the chaos and conflicts from here.
Whether you're in Vermont, Florida, Colorado, California or North Carolina, there is a way to find a hike. The gratification might not always be mountains, but if you are in good company, then it will always be rewarding. Not to mention it's a full body workout. So research for a hike near you, wake up early and go experience it.
