| Many people think that hiking is just another form | | | | just climbed. This seems to be one of those laws |
| of exercise. While this is technically true, hiking is | | | | of nature that can't be fooled with. The bottom |
| also much more. The first thing that makes hiking | | | | line is that the view is never as good as it is when |
| more than just exercise is the fact that hiking | | | | you hike to the top of the mountain. |
| takes place in nature. There is something very | | | | Not only does hiking involve you receiving |
| powerful about nature and being in nature. I'm one | | | | unequalled access to views of nature, it also |
| of those people who believe that if more people | | | | affords you incredible emotional feeling. For me, |
| spent more time in nature, we would have many | | | | there is no drug that you can take (and I've tried |
| fewer problems in this world. Many of our | | | | a lot of them) that will give you the incredible |
| greatest thinkers believed in the power of nature | | | | feeling of accomplishment that finishing a good |
| as well. Albert Einstein said of nature, "Look deep | | | | hike gives you. And this feeling costs nothing. |
| into nature, and then you will understand | | | | Nothing, other than your time and effort. What |
| everything better." | | | | could be a better deal than that? |
| Hiking affords a person the opportunity to be in | | | | So the next time that you get the opportunity, |
| nature, which in and of itself makes it much more | | | | go for a hike. Spend some time hiking in nature |
| than just exercise. Hiking can be done in any | | | | and let her help you with anything that you may |
| outdoor setting, but I personally love hiking in | | | | need. I think William Blake put it beautifully, when |
| mountains. Hiking to the top of a mountain is | | | | he said, "The tree which moves some to tears of |
| incredibly rewarding. Not only because you hiked | | | | joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing |
| to the top, but once there you are usually | | | | that stands in the way. Some see nature all |
| rewarded with a view that isn't possible anywhere | | | | ridicule and deformity... and some scarce see |
| else. Even from an airplane, views are different | | | | nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of |
| that from standing on top of a mountain that you | | | | imagination, nature is imagination itself." Amen. |