As I pull into the parking lot, I realize this won’t be one of those days when I have the trails to myself. That’s fine. Even when the lot is full, this park never feels crowded. With miles of trails traversing hilly, wooded terrain, I’ll see other hikers but won’t feel like they’re encroaching on my solitude.
Solo hiking comes with a range of emotions. It can be a wonderful escape, with no concern about how far or fast others want to hike, or what they’ll think every time I stop to look at a bird or a mushroom. I can ramble through the park at my own pace. But it can also be lonely. I’ve had plenty of experiences I wished I could share with someone else. Still, hiking alone leaves a lot of room for reflection and can become almost meditative for me.
Continue reading “Solitude and Stillness: Reflections on a Summer Hike”
