We often think of hiking as a grand adventure—conquering a mountain peak or trekking through a famous national park. But for most of us, the real magic of hiking lies in the everyday. It’s in the quiet walks on the local trails and the simple act of noticing the small wonders around us.
I learned this lesson from my mother. She wasn’t an extreme hiker; her trails were the well-worn paths behind our family farm. Every evening, she would take a walk, not to get a workout or a grand view, but to simply connect with the world around her. She taught me to look for the tiny, beautiful details I often overlooked: the delicate pattern on a monarch butterfly’s wing, the intricate network of a spiderweb dusted with dew, the scent of pine after a rainstorm.
One day, I was frustrated after a difficult week and decided to go for a run on our usual trail. I was so focused on my speed and my worries that I nearly missed the most beautiful sight. As I slowed down, my mother pointed out a small patch of trillium, a rare wildflower, that had bloomed right on the side of the trail. I was so focused on the destination that I had forgotten to appreciate the journey.
My mother showed me that a great hike isn’t about the mileage you cover or the elevation you gain. It’s about the presence you bring to the trail. It’s about noticing the quiet miracles that unfold every single day. The wilderness isn’t a place you go to find yourself; it’s a place where you can be yourself, completely and without judgment.
