A Haven in Hiking

January 29, 2017

I've been asked, "When did you start hiking?"

It's an answer I hardly thought about. But truthfully, it was when I felt like my life was falling apart. Like my world was spinning on the wrong axis. When my heart couldn't take anymore, and wanted to crumble into a million tiny pieces. That's when I would take my pity party on a hike.

I found a haven in hiking. A secret getaway I never knew I needed. A hideaway from the mess, the problems, and people. It was just me and God. And I found comfort in that.

The Path Ahead

January 14, 2017

The first hike of 2016.

It started out easy, but became tough. Similar to how the year had been.

I'll never forget it. A love/hate relationship. The thorn in my side. A memory that makes you cringe. But still, pictures you look back at it, and smile. A very confusing, and at times, a dark year.

Once I thought I had mastered a part of my life, I was faced with another challenge. Another problem. Another struggle.

Thirst for More

December 8, 2016

The water rushes around my feet. A strong current. But I don't budge.

I could only think about how much I craved the sound, the feeling, the thrill of it all. But it also left a sense of sadness in me.

I missed this. Being outdoors. Exploring. I thirsted for more.

I realized I was chasing the wrong things in life. I ignored nature and the adventures out there. I wanted more success, money, superficial goals. While all this beauty around me was thriving, I felt withered, like I was spiritually dying.

Can't Turn Back Now

November 29, 2016

Pictures don't show the full story.

"Are you sure you want to do this hike?"

"Yes," I reply. But in my head I can think of a list of reasons why I'm not ready.

Turtlehead Peak was a hike I had been eyeing for months, but I wasn't completely ready. I was out of shape, unmotivated, and feeling like I was at rock bottom in life. All things that can be a recipe for disaster. A few weeks prior, I had found out scary news about my health. Work was taking everything out of me. Friends were gone. Relationships felt stagnant. Life had changed, and was changing.

The last thing I needed to do was (literally) climb a mountain, when I had so many "theatrical" ones in my life.