One week off the trail and I am ready to go back

I am missing the trail already. One week off the trail and I am ready to go back. Don’t get me wrong, all the comforts of home are fantastic, like today’s lobster luncheon,  

Me, Bruce, my Dad, Bruce’s Mom and Dad

 but I miss the woods. The weather has been wonderful  the last couple days and all I can think about is how it would be great to be hiking. On our morning walk with the dog, I scout the woods and think how “that would be a nice place to pitch a tent” or ” that water looks decent enough to filter. 

I have spent this week reflecting on my journey, when I haven’t been busy cleaning my neglected house. I have been asked several questions since my return, such as, what was my favorite part of the trail? Which state had the best views? Which state was my favorite state? What was the hardest? How often did I get to bathe? These are all fun and relevant but I have been thinking deeper. A thought process, thinking deeper, that I never entertained before. My thoughts since I have been back have been more about how I see life. I have been overwhelmed at all the hustle and bustle and crowds of people and all the “chores” I have to do. I think it is really important to live life more simply. I am the first one to get the best and the most out of my day, my week, my month, my year and so on but it all needs to be kept in perspective. We all live such busy lives and we judge our successes by how fast, how big and how much we can do things. All that is awesome fun and incredible but we just need to remember to stop and watch the sunset. While I am reflecting I need to plan small hikes so I can slow down myself and remember the peace I felt while out on the trail when all I had to worry about was what fit in my pack and and where I was going to pitch my tent. 

Happy Hiking

Emily M. Leonard

About Emily M. Leonard

I am a 50 year old Maine native and lover of the outdoors. Former Physical Education teacher and soccer coach. I am Married to the best husband ever and gave up teaching and coaching to raise our two wonderful sons. I have always enjoyed being outside and on the go.