What makes me do this? Why do I get up early, put on an extra 20-23 pounds and then go for a hike with my backpack on? I think it is the feeling I feel, which is complete freedom. Knowing I am out alone with nature and feeling free. I love the sound and the feel of the wind in my hair. I love that I can stop whenever I want to watch a butterfly or just look straight up into the clouds. I love that whether it rains or is sunny that I have everything I need on my back. I like the feeling of being independent, of being able to go anywhere you want to go. I get to waive at farmers plowing their field, I get to hear the birds sing. I feel more alive when I am outside. I am so accustomed to the outdoors that I can even feel ahead of time when something is out of place like a tin can by the road or a plane or something manmade. I feel a peace that you cannot get from a textbook, you just have to get out and experience it. Today was a little windy and sunny too, felt great. I just kept on walking. I think I hiked about 5.5 miles or so. It was a little hike but I have put in over 23 miles already this week. It is fun to climb mountains. It is fun to set goals and then check them off your list. When I walk I am documenting everything visually so that I can recreate it on paint and canvas. It is fun to be creative and to see where I have been by looking at the canvas's I have. Get outside and enjoy this beautiful earth we call home. Be brave and keep going!
