I remember reading Thoreau as a teenage literature fanatic and feeling mesmerized by the idea of living in solitude off the land as he did at Walden Pond. As I grew older and more acquainted with the conveniences of the modern world, I sort of forgot all about Thoreau and his transcendent views of nature, sustainability, the good of man. That is… until about five years ago, when I re-discovered a love for the wilderness.

One day a friend asked me to go hiking with her and from there she asked me if I’d like to go on a backpacking trip with her. I had never been backpacking, didn’t own a hiking backpack, and had only been camping a handful of times in my entire life. It sounded like a challenge… and I’ve always loved a good challenge. 

I remember loving walking in the woods as a kid. I’ve always enjoyed being outside, staying active, playing sports (especially ones played outdoors like golf, tennis, biking, and kayaking), and testing my limitations. But backpacking… or even hiking as a ‘sport’ wasn’t something I’d given much consideration.

Once I started hiking, I quickly remembered how much I relish in the  peaceful warmth of it all. It’s simple, quiet… uncomplicated. All things I look for in my daily life. 

What I didn’t anticipate about this new hobby though, was how challenging it can sometimes be. Some terrain is tricky. Sometimes endurance is required for long up-hills. Sometimes it’s really hot, sometimes really cold. It was all a bit of a rush. Many of the elements of sports that I love – challenging myself, working hard, setting goals – paired with the serenity of nature, gave me something I was quickly falling for. A new love. Adventure, tranquility, persistence. It was thrilling!

Since that first spring re-discovering a love for nature and going on my first big backpacking excursion, I’ve developed a passion for finding new places to explore. Right now I’m focused on day hikes around the midwest but I hope to branch out soon to more scenic areas of the country.