I'm looking back at the past 18 months or so and I can hardly believe that I accomplished something as simple and motivated as hiking every week for a year. I finally got out to hike yesterday after being sick to my stomach the previous Sunday and it was as Invigorating as I had hoped it would be. I went somewhere new, saw new landscapes, and felt the sun beat down on me once again. I hiked five miles, not the furthest by far, but far enough to find joy again. I drove three hours to hike and wander for just about the same, but it was worth every minute. Driving used to be my thing - set some music, open the moonroof, hit the road, process everything in the world, and return in a better place. The recent drive to the wildlife refuge in Oklahoma brought me close to that old feeling of driving therapy and made the hike even better. My brain was relaxed, my mind was flowing, and my body was ready for the day. I look forward to more long drives to hiking destinations to give me a moment with the open road, my thoughts, and nothing else.
I had some thoughts while driving home, this is a snippet of me just getting the words out so I can reflect. I'm truly grateful to have the ability to live this life and I look forward to building on the experiences of the past year and a half. I hope you all can find some inspiration out there and keep pushing forward.