Go Take a Hike!

One of the activities that I've gotten into lately is hiking. Given that I live in the mountains of Western Maryland, there are lots of places in the area to go hiking so I figured I'd give it a try.

I'm very glad that I did for more reasons than I had anticipated. First, it's a great form of exercise. I'll usually hike 10-12 miles in an afternoon if I'm hiking solo, and that's usually up and down some pretty hilly terrain. It builds balance, strength, and stamina.

Secondly, it's a great opportunity to spend time alone with my thoughts, or time alone with friends talking about whatever comes up. Given today's electronic hyper-connected society, I think that both of these are sadly lacking from many of our lives. Although I'm sure that I can't attribute it directly to this, I find myself happier when I get to hike once a week or so now than when I don't.

Third is the opportunity it's given me to partake in another hobby of mine, which is photography. I'm hardly as advanced as several of my friends, and I'm usually restricted in what I can carry due to weight limitations, but with my little Olympus pocket camera, and a good eye, I've managed to take a few photos that I really am proud of. I'm sure that with more time on the trail, my photography will only get better.

Lastly, and perhaps most profoundly, is the deep appreciation for the world around me that I seem to be acquiring. I tend to think of things now more in terms of the environment, society as a whole, or, in general, not based purely on how they impact me. Troubles don't seem so troublesome, and I tend to focus more on the positive aspects of the world around me. In the increasingly trying times that we live in, I think it's an appreciation that we could all use a little more of.

The majority of my hiking to date has been along the Appalachian Trail, a 2,181 mile scenic trail that runs from Northern Georgia to Maine. Although I doubt I would ever get to "thru-hike" the entire trail, I certainly enjoy my adventures in my little Mid-Atlantic segment. Because of my appreciation for how spending time on the trail is benefiting my life, I've joined the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and plan to begin volunteering with them in the near future. I've been looking for an opportunity to give back to the community, and if I can pass the benefits of hiking along to other people; to get them some exercise, to let them see the beauty in the world around them, and to help them realize that their day-to-day troubles and strifes are often not so bad in the grand scheme of things; then to me that is a worthy cause.

If any of you, my readers, ever want to go take a hike, just let me know.

(All images from the collection of the author.)