The day was finally here! An explosion of giddiness raced through me as my anticipation rose. It has been months since I had last had the opportunity to do what I love to do- hike. Something about the plethora of smells and scenery always gave me a sense of complete serenity. I haven’t been able to hike a lot due to my soccer injury. That may have been one of the most painful experiences in my life. Long story short, I was blocking the ball as it zoomed to my goal and instead my knee came in contact with the goal post- evidently fracturing my knee cap. Thus, leaving me as crippled as a bird with a broken wing. Throughout my time in physical therapy, I always missed the adrenaline of hiking. I missed the rough lumps of dirt that blanketed the
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I left my family back at the checkpoint because they were exhausted from a full day of hiking. I can never get enough of it all. Just walking along this trail clears my mind in an almost eerie serenity. Crunch! Snap! The leaves and twigs sing following my every step. I look down and smile as a squirrel scurries past me and up a tree. The buzz of the insects and life drench my surroundings overwhelming me in its tranquility. While admiring a caterpillar on a tree it dawns on me how dark it's gotten. I probably should head back soon I thought grudgingly. I reach in my bag intent on pulling out my flashlight only to find empty space. That's odd I think with a frown. I search again. And again. And again. Frustrated now, I take off my bag and dump it in front of me with a soft thud. I fish for the flashlight hurriedly. Panic slowly eats at me as it registers in my brain that my light is not with me. Crap. Suddenly, this wasn’t so fun anymore. Desperate to get out of this scary situation I attempt to retrace my steps. Out of luck, I am forced to wait for someone to find me. Like a punch to the gut, my mother's words from earlier come back to me in a flash. ‘Don’t forget your flashlight’. At the time, I was irritated enough to dismiss her constant nagging. Regret chips away at me. Sweat drenches my forehead, neck, and palms as unease creeps on me like something is watching me. The forest at night is pretty haunting if you think about it. I jump at the hoot of an owl above me. As the prickling sensation of goosebumps run up my arms voices in the distance catch my attention. I scan the dark silhouettes of the massive trees and bushes searching for the familiar outline of people. Jumping at the chance I scream, “I'm here! Here!” Biting my nails. I wait for a
I left my family back at the checkpoint because they were exhausted from a full day of hiking. I can never get enough of it all. Just walking along this trail clears my mind in an almost eerie serenity. Crunch! Snap! The leaves and twigs sing following my every step. I look down and smile as a squirrel scurries past me and up a tree. The buzz of the insects and life drench my surroundings overwhelming me in its tranquility. While admiring a caterpillar on a tree it dawns on me how dark it's gotten. I probably should head back soon I thought grudgingly. I reach in my bag intent on pulling out my flashlight only to find empty space. That's odd I think with a frown. I search again. And again. And again. Frustrated now, I take off my bag and dump it in front of me with a soft thud. I fish for the flashlight hurriedly. Panic slowly eats at me as it registers in my brain that my light is not with me. Crap. Suddenly, this wasn’t so fun anymore. Desperate to get out of this scary situation I attempt to retrace my steps. Out of luck, I am forced to wait for someone to find me. Like a punch to the gut, my mother's words from earlier come back to me in a flash. ‘Don’t forget your flashlight’. At the time, I was irritated enough to dismiss her constant nagging. Regret chips away at me. Sweat drenches my forehead, neck, and palms as unease creeps on me like something is watching me. The forest at night is pretty haunting if you think about it. I jump at the hoot of an owl above me. As the prickling sensation of goosebumps run up my arms voices in the distance catch my attention. I scan the dark silhouettes of the massive trees and bushes searching for the familiar outline of people. Jumping at the chance I scream, “I'm here! Here!” Biting my nails. I wait for a