I hiked a section of the Appalachian Trail yesterday near Falls Village Connecticut. I featured this section on a YouTube episode of Hiking with an Average Jill last year, titled, “All in A Days Hike.” Yesterday, the trail was active with thru hikers making their passage North. All solo, we kept to ourselves, respecting the peaceful vibe that only nature can provide.
It takes the average hiker 6-months to complete the approximate 2,200-mile trek from Georgia to Maine. I don’t have a desire, at least not now, to dedicate that much time exclusively to the trail, but it is enticing. I wondered as the hikers passed by–yes, most were moving at a pace faster than I–what had they chosen in their life to leave behind; Or, what had they set out to find.
The trail is a magical place that can provide a new perspective on life. It can replace worry with hope, anxiety with calm, and uncover our authentic self. For now at least, a few hours a week on the trail is all I need to calibrate my inner compass, and reset my peaceful vibe. To those who’ve dedicated themselves to a much longer crusade, if there’s one thing I know for sure, you’ll never regret the time on the trail. Hike on.