Why I Hike

Backpacking Santa Cruz mountains

As a typical busy American, working full time, and raising 2 school-age children, why is hiking my go-to activity whenever possible?  Because for me it counteracts the busyness. It provides me with an opportunity to get away from my never-ending to-do list. Hiking allows me to clear my head and to appreciate God’s amazing creation.  Plus, it counts as physical fitness, too!

Tetons, 2011

1.    Freedom:  I can pick the place and how I move in that place. Am I in the mood for bagging a peak, or meandering along a river?  Mountains or beach? (A perk of living here in the central valley of CA-I can pick either one!) a  National Park, or just forest land so I can bring the dog?  I can choose if I want to go slow or fast, stop and read or stretch or go faster and get a cardio workout, bring people or go alone… there is just freedom that feels nice compared to the usual routines of work, kids’ activities, etc.

Mt. Freel, Tahoe

2.    Creation:  I grew up on 6 acres of almonds and spent countless hours running around, climbing the trees, hanging out outside. My parents always took me on drives to Knights Ferry and to Pine Crest to walk and picnic.  I have always enjoyed being outside whenever possible.  Hiking allows me to feel appreciation for the Earth itself, the animals living on it, the trees and other plants growing on it, the water cycle…nature is amazing.  Staying home for too long makes me feel disconnected from it;  I feel grounded again and closer to our Creator each time I get out there. 

3.    It clears my head:  In this season of my life, my head is full each day.  Lesson planning, meeting all my students’ needs, caring for my 2 children, planning and carrying out healthy meals for my family, helping my husband with his business, keeping the family calendar under control, housekeeping…that just touches the surface of what swims through my head each day.  Hiking clears it all out.  When I am hiking all those thoughts get replaced with the happiness of the feeling of the freedom, an appreciation for nature, amazement at certain features along the way, a focus on my physical body and feeling strong, enjoyment of people I’m with, or the solitude I sometimes prefer.

Winter Hiking in Idaho

4.    Physical fitness:  I do not use a gym, I have a hard time “working out” unless there is a real purpose.  I played soccer in high school and we dribbled the ball around the track for one sometimes two miles – it was fine because the ball was there.  Had it just been running I would have had a bad attitude.  Hiking gets my body moving- good for my heart.  Even better when I am in high elevation. It firms my muscles, especially when there are uphills.  It gets me to focus on properly fueling my body with nutrients rather than junk. The sun feels good, my body and mind need the light from the sun. 

5.    Focus on simplicity: Although hiking, especially if there is an overnight stay involved, takes some planning, once you are there it is a simple activity. I like how everything comes down to the basics – eating, hydrating, moving toward a destination.  As long as I carry the ten essentials system with me on my back, it’s all I need.  At home there is the constant noise and movement of life in a sizable town (traffic, phone calls, errands, attending kids’ activities…) By hiking I can be a minimalist for the day, just me and my pack on my back.

Jeff & I in Lassen Volcanic National Park, near Cinder Cone

When I go too long without hiking, I feel a real urge to get back out there and reconnect with those feelings of freedom and simplicity that hiking gives me.  I get cravings for the smell of the fresh air, the sound of my feet on granite or grass or dirt, the sight of nature in a 360 degree view, the feel of the energy of the sun on my skin, the taste of the special food treats I reserve just for hiking, the time to pray, and also the workout it provides my heart and muscles. This was a great time of reflection for me – now I’m going to go plan my next hike! 

Red Hills, Chinese Camp, spring

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