At the Molly Stark State Park you can find very clean bathroom facilities and a trail to the top of Mount Olga. As we hit the trail Peter turned to me and asked, “why do you love hiking so much?”
When I started to answer I came up with one or two reasons, but as I kept thinking I came up with many more. So, why to I love hiking?
* It’s outdoors. I love the fresh air and sun shining through the trees. I love the smell of fallen leaves.
* There’s often a great view as a reward for all your work fighting gravity.
* It is free- for the most part. Usually if there’s a park fee it goes back into maintaining the trails and facilities, so it is totally worth paying.
* It is great exercise.
* It is quiet.
* There is very little commercialization surrounding it (minus EMS and REI and LLBean- but you can hike without spending one penny at any of those)
* It is family friendly. And I have great memories of hiking with my family when I was a kid.
Well, the list could go on and on. Hiking just makes me happy.
And I was happy last Sunday when we stopped into the Molly Stark campground and hiked to the top of Mount Olga.
Great picture of you three and lots of beautiful Catherine pics in a lovely setting. Happy fall!
Another great reason for hiking: it creates space for talks or chants or lessons that might otherwise not happen. I STILL remember the entire Hebrew alphabet b/c Becky Smith taught it to me while we hiked Mt. McLaughlin 8 years ago. There’s something really beautiful about learning things to the rhythm of your hiked footsteps.
BJ- it’s true! Catherine and I have been having some great conversations on the trail. Just today we were discussing prayer. I can’t wait until I can understand her half of the conversation!
Oh Mt Mclaughlin! Wouldn’t I love to climb there again!