Why I Hike

I've talked about travel. I've talked about housing; I've talked about a lot of different places I've been. But now, even more so than when I did my Boy Scout post, I feel obligated to make a post describing the top 5 reasons why I hike. Hiking, or glorified trail walking, is an activity that used to be essential for survival. With modern technology and conveniences, is become a long-lost art to too many people. However, there are still others amongst us who enjoy the act of hiking. Here is why I do it.

1) You are constantly experiencing new environments.

When you are out there hiking, you're constantly being exposed to many different types of terrain at any given point in time. It really challenges your physical and mental limits. Not only have that, but everybody’s body reacts differently to different climates and environments. When you're out in wilderness, anything can happen, and it teaches you to be engaging in your surroundings and to be completely present in whatever task you are doing.

2) It keeps you in shape.

This obviously depends on the frequency of what you go hiking, but in general, let it be known that it is a great cardiovascular activity. Even for the infrequent hiker, it is still a good break from utilizing the treadmill, jogging the neighborhood, or of course, from being a couch potato. You really learned to utilize every muscle in your body to its Advantage as you scale steep terrains, go for miles on end without stopping, and put yourself at the mercy of Mother Nature. And eventually, with perseverance and practice, you might just become like the guy that I saw sprinting up and down the Shenandoah mountain range, trail running an average of 10 miles every day.

3) You get away from Modern conveniences.

It is the 21st century. We currently live in a world marred by technology that lives around every single corner. Regardless of creed, personal agenda, or any other opinion, it is generally agreeable that too much technology can be detrimental to one's well-being. After all, none of our settlers had iPods or cell phones. Although this deficit of Technology may be startling to some, two others, it is sacred. You get to experience life without modern conveniences, which in and of itself can teach people if thankfulness for all of life's little things that otherwise wouldn't be mentioned.

4) You get a huge system detox.

Having been around patients on concentrated oxygen through nasal cannula, I can firmly attached that nothing beats Fresh Air pump to straight from the trees and the clouds. You also get a huge vitamin D boost, and read your bodies of impurities while sweating out toxins on the trail. Take Along some trail mix filled with antioxidant berries, pack some leafy greens, drink a cup of green tea, and you've got it made.

5) You will never see these sites or meet these people hiding inside your house.

I have met so many wonderful people just by saying hello on the hiking trail or in a Pit Stop Restaurant. You’ll never know what you’ll find, and when you might find it.

This is a short list, but a comprehensive one. So what are you waiting for? Strap on your boots and hit the dirt highway!

Pine Grove Furnace

Historically speaking, Pine Grove furnace State Park Mark the exact Midway point of the Appalachian Trail for many many years until it was expanded upon. Laurel Lake is contained in the park, and it is in the middle of Machaux State Forest. needless to say, it is quite an intense Journey when we arrived.

And there was a freshwater spring!

When we arrived, my friend and I were immediately taken aback by the view of the Waterfront Dam. It was beautiful.

It churns several hundred gallons of fresh water every day.

Pole steppe was a 1.5 mile trail near the side of the Appalachian Trail that intersected with Pine Grove furnace. Of course, which is the most difficult., set our eyes for the Stars, and while star Cavs were crying and Agony the entire time, we enjoyed quite a perilous hike.

Honestly, this hike was probably closer to a 6.5.out of 10. this was because I chose the harder path which involve climbing 50 feet up the side of a mountain to get to the highest point in the park. There was no let-up from the Switchback, as I was a straight shot up a hill for the entirety of the hike. admittedly, The View from here was better than the view from the highest point in the state, which I talked about here. Is absolutely something that I would recommend friends.

The view, though? Worth it.

Cousler Park

Back in the 20th century, Ethel Cousler dedicated several beautiful acres to Central York's inhabitants, in the form of a public park system that still gets used to this day. It's part of the West Manchester Park system and maintained by the local township, in the form of a public park system the still gets used to this day. Is part of the West Manchester Park system and maintain by the local Township. It is a beautiful Park that has to miles worth of trails that surround the area.

In my youth, many good memories were spent at this park, including day spent searching for Pokémon on Pokémon Go, climbing the rocks, walking around looking at all the trees. It is a very nice and quaint place for an individual to go for a hike. So this being said, go out for a stroll. You never know what might be awaiting you.

Zoos and Aquariums

In my life, I have been to several zoos and Aquariums. I've been to the ones in Baltimore, Washington DCf and Cleveland Ohio. 

There's always a lesson to be learned from seeing creatures and someone natural habitats outside of their natural habitat. We can learn so much about ourselves just from watching others.

most zoos and Aquariums are generally fairly expensive. The Baltimore aquarium is no exception, but aside from parking, the zoo in Washington DC is free. the zoo in DC is one of four in the United States to have pandas. I really enjoy pandas and other exotic creatures, so aside from going out into the wild and checking through the brush, this is about as close as I will get to them for a while.

When I was a kid, I went to the aquarium at the age of 7 and fell in love with marine life. In fact, up until I was 12 years old, I wanted to pursue an advanced education in marine biology and study sea creatures and marine wildlife.

The only thing that really changed this was the fact that I didn't want to get swallowed by animals in the ocean. I studied everything that I could about these creatures when I was younger, and I'm so glad I did. I had a wealth of information to offer others around me at the aquarium, from a young age onward.

And then, I found pandas.

Although I am no longer as strong and biology as I once was, it is still a fascination of mine. Admittedly, I wish that the animals kept in zoos and Aquariums had better lives there that were more naturalistic, but at the same time, then I wouldn't be able to know the beauty that is their life. What is most important to remember regardless of circumstance every time we go to, is that these creatures are not pets or toys, but that they are living and sentient creatures who are trying to make their ends meet just as well as our own. Their environment has become as accommodating as possible, but it will still never replicate home. We must always respect the creatures that we see, and enjoy them and appreciate them for what and where they are.

And so I ask you, what will you do to make life better for all living creatures?

Big Schloss

Spring breaks are normally used for drinking and partying. Instead, I used mine to go hiking. Big Schloss means big castle in German, and with a summit of 2164 feet, it definitely lives up to its expectation. The hike itself isn't all that challenging, with most of the switchbacks being incredibly minor and early on in and the adventure. Around every single turn, however, lies a beautiful photo opportunity of the Appalachian Mountain Valley and the Shenandoah River Valley. Since the mountain itself lies in the greater Appalachian Mountain section and borders the Shenandoah, there are lots of Scenic views to be shared between Virginia and West Virginia throughout the entire hike.

Here is one of many beautiful panoramas of the area.

For a total difficulty of this like, I would put it at about a 3 out of 10. There was a hefty section in the beginning the required some walking straight uphill, but once you got to the switchbacks, they were actually very mild compared to other trails and both the Appalachian and Shenandoah ranges. There are no rock scrambles, and most of the hike is over flat ground that does not flood very easily. There is some optional rock climbing, which gets you a couple of cool pictures, but nothing too severe or major.

You'll start your day near a small town in West Virginia, supplying up on trail mix, energy bars, and whatever lunch or dinner you intend to eat on the trail. The sun will be directly overhead for most of the hike, but there is just enough tree coverage to prevent you from overheating. Pack your containers full of water and your typical hiking supplies though, and all will be okay. It is very hard to overexert yourself on this mountain, as it is meant to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace.

During my hike, I encountered no wildlife besides a couple of birds chirping in the trees. I did, however, enjoy crossing a footbridge to the summit and enjoying the silent beautiful realm of nature. Being one of the tallest mountains in West Virginia, with its Summit itself being in Virginia, it was quite an incredible Adventure to see the mountainside in all of his glory. My shadow was cast over the entire valley because of the way the sun hit the cliff face.

And I felt magnificent.

Once you're done hiking, Harpers Ferry is about 20 minutes away for another fun and fancy stop on your travels. There are also another couple of towns nearby that I'll provide their own cute little charm. The biggest reason I would say to hike this mountain is because it is a fun and enjoyable hike for anybody in the family. So if you need a weekend activity, this is how to do it.