When I first started hiking, I always needed to know where the trail would lead and what I was going to see.

I didn’t understand the purpose of simple out-and-back hikes unless I was going to a waterfall some other cool feature. Similarly, I needed some reason to believe that there would be a worthwhile view before taking a loop trail.

Over time, I’ve realized that’s not the point though.

Sure it’s nice to take a nice picture and to be able to enjoy a beautiful view, but there’s some much more to it. The fresh air and quiet alone can be powerful if we let it. In that way, we can find almost as much joy walking through our own neighborhood as we can walking in a nature preserve.

In hiking, as with many other things in life, it isn’t all about the landmarks. Simply hiking for it’s own sake can be enough.

-Brandon