You feel yourself begin to stir. Your entire body is engulfed in a comfortable warmth that is so cozy and close you almost forget where you are. As consciousness groggily returns to you and your eyes adjust, you're greeted with light. Not just any light, but sunlight. It's warm rays dance on your cheeks and flutter on the edges of your eyelashes with every slow and steady blink. It's morning and the sun is your alarm clock. You hesitantly unzip your sleeping bag and the door to your tent to peer out into a blissful mountain morning. Nearby, water rushes, offering soft gurgles and the splashes of a morning salutation. Even the birds are drawn out by the sun and they begin to sing melodic words high into the canopies. The crisp air gently prickles your cheeks and grasps your nose as you take in the smell of high mountain dirt and fresh green pine trees. The smell of pine is overwhelmingly strong, yet silently pleasing.
This is bliss. This is the mountains.
I know the specific place I pictured when writing that. It holds a very special place in my heart. As the summer begins and the outdoor season is upon us, I wanted to share the reason why I thrive on going outdoors. I love to experience new things. The thrill of a new trail with new twists and turns, new dirt, and amazing new views is absolutely exhilarating to me.
I often find myself distracted and thinking about the next trail. What will the trees be like? Will there be enough trees for a hammock or afternoon shade? Will there be water to soak my tired feet? What kind of smells will my dogs discover. Lastly, is this the place I'll take my next favorite picture?
Hiking, camping, trail running...these are all passions of mine. They are my therapy. They keep my sane when life feels as though its crumbling. They keep me grounded and remind me that not all problems are as big as they seem. They teach me things about myself, my home., and my family. They've taught me to be humble, grateful, resist pain and rise above it and above all-how to heal from anger, sorrow, and pain. Because of them, I've gained a new appreciation for the place I live, and a new yearning for the places I long to go.
Where will my next adventure be?
Colorado my friends.
And it's already begun.
"Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere you find yourself." Unknown
