Hiking Diary

This is a selection of the Hiking Diary I started writing last summer. I pulled it out this dreary winter day as a way of dreaming of hiking to come.

I am on the trail early this morning reflecting on two hikes I took last week. Both were triumphs in that I finally reached my goal of hiking as far as the shelter on not one but two stretches of the Appalachian Trail (AT).

          Several years ago, I spent a week hiking the AT from the Maryland border north to the Harrisburg area with a group. It was an amazing adventure and ever since I have regularly hiked two stretches of the AT near my house. I remembered that there were shelters we had stopped at along both sections and yet I never passed them. I was working then, of course, and there always seemed to be time constraints preventing me from venturing as far along the trail as I would have liked.

          Since retiring, however, I have delighted in hiking farther and farther up my favorite trails, relishing the luxury of not having to hurry home. I began to wonder if I could reach the shelters and looked them up in maps I found online. Sure enough, the distance calculator indicated that both shelters were roughly an hour’s journey from their respective trailheads. I was on a mission! I began making a determined effort to hike as far as the shelters before turning back on these trails.

          A week ago, I made it to the shelter on one stretch of the trail, which wound and stretched tantalizingly through the lush late-summer woods. I had no time constraints. I was simply curious about each bit of the trail as it loomed before me, wondering if what I sought might be just around each bend.

          This was discouraging at times, when I got to where I could see beyond the bend only to find nothing but the trail winding ahead. Still, I hiked on.

          Finally, there it was. The rough wood of the lean-tos appeared just ahead. Smiling as my steps took on new energy, I moved forward, rejoicing. I had been hiking for just over an hour.

          Several days later I had a similar experience on another section of the trail. This time, in addition to making it to the lovely shelter that has a glider chair in which to relax.  In so doing, I had to hike a gorgeous section of the trail lined with rhododendrons on each side that formed arches over it. I remembered this section as I remembered the shelter but had never hiked far enough to reach either. It felt so good to have set and accomplished these goals.

          Today, I am in a more somber state of mind. It was one of those mornings in which life weighed on me as heavily as the late summer air and it took great effort to get my gear together and drive to the State Park a mile and a half or so from my house. Over the years, this trail has become my default trail since it is so close and is also easy to walk. The last thing I needed this morning was a challenge.

          Hiking has a way of clearing my mind, giving me fresh perspectives and creative ideas. I felt my spirit becoming lighter and my body more energetic as I passed the first of two side trails – the one I usually avoid. A short way up the trail I slowed down searching for the second. This trail is flat and the woods it passes through have an almost magical quality to them.

          But it being late summer, the trails had all become thick with vegetation. Side trails were not easy to see. Searching as I might, I couldn’t see the second trailhead and I soon found that I had worked my way back to the first.

          I paused, considering. I was not feeling ambitious, and this side trail goes up a steep hill. I usually avoid it for just that reason! Perhaps, I thought, I needed to call it a day and accept that a short hike was better than no hike at all.

          Nevertheless, I started up the trail that was every bit as steep and stony as I remembered. The farther I went, the more often I had to stop, panting. My feet began to rebel against having to walk on so many rocks and stones. For some reason I continued. I went on until I realized I had hiked further up the trail than I ever had before. Even with my downright resistance, even without my having challenged myself, I had stretched myself. Pretty amazing!

          I headed back reflecting on how our spiritual journey is so much like a trail. Some parts are smooth and pleasant, while others are rocky and steep. Some days it seems we go forward with confidence and strength; eager to take on any challenge. God leads us, upholds us, loves us through these parts, bringing us rejoicing to our goal.

          Other days we long for flat trails that represent no challenge. We travel with excess weight and struggle with every step. God is there, compelling us, protecting us, loving us through it all and bringing us to a place of wonderment at having done more than we could have asked for or imagined with the grace of God’s help.