Head For The Hills

The weather has been steadily getting warmer during the last few weeks, which makes me want to break out the hiking gear. Then yesterday happened. About a foot of snow decided to make an appearance, and Mike and I spent the day shoveling rather than hiking. Maybe it's for the best because even though I think I like hiking, I usually start to hate it once I start. It is always either too hot or too cold and I always start to sweat, which never makes me happy. I get tired, hungry, and thirsty, yet I never seem to bring enough snacks or water and once you start a hike, well, there is no way you are getting back to the car unless you move your own two legs. While hiking, I quickly turn into a two-year-old with no sense of of the past or future. There is only my current misery and my need to pout about it even though I put myself in that very situation.

There are things I do like about hiking, so let me explain what those things are so everyone does not shun me as a hiking partner. I LOVE the beauty in nature. I have seen things in nature that take my breath away. I can't say that so much for any man-made structure. Sure, a structure can be massive, and awesome, and even beautiful, but it never really compares to something like a sunset or a giant, ancient tree, or a mountain range.

Another thing I like about hiking is the exercise. I don't like exercise in general, but if I can do it in the wilderness, it almost makes it tolerable. I like that there is usually a goal to get to when hiking - a waterfall, a meadow, a lake, the top of a mountain, or a campsite. It makes me want to get to end, so see what is there. I am always curious what might be around the next corner, so I want to keep going in spite of my two-year-old mentality. Come to think of it, hiking is not so bad.