Trail Talk

If you could only pick one kind of hike, which would it be? The first kind takes you deep into the wilderness. The trail disappears into the trees, your phone has no signal, and the only sounds are birds, wind, and the occasional rustle in the bushes. There are no buildings, no roads, and no reminders of everyday life. Just you and the natural world. Hiking trail in the woods far away from the city. (Photo by Oakley) The second kind leads to a viewpoint. You climb higher and

The trail leading toward the waterfall. (Photo by Oakley) I always wonder if taking a picture helps me remember a moment or if it pulls me out of it. Today I sat beside a waterfall for a while. No headphones. No rush. Just the sound of water and a notebook. Along the trail there were tiny wild roses blooming in the middle of all the green, a butterfly resting on the dirt, and places that would have been easy to miss if I had only been focused on getting to the destination. Wa