It all started when a few days before summer break began last year when I overheard my step-dad and uncle talking about a hiking trip in Colorado that we were going to take sometime in the month of early July. So I just let it be and was going to see and find out if I was going to go along with them. long story short, I got a really, really early Christmas present from my mom and step-dad. A hiking trip to the Rocky Mountains!…
One Saturday morning, I crawled out of bed and went downstairs to have breakfast. I looked out the window and saw a fresh blanket of snow which meant that it was a perfect day for snowboarding! About an hour later my brother, Jacob also came down and ate his breakfast.…
As soon as I feel the sun’s warmth on my face peeking over from behind the rim of Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, I am wide awake. I open my tent to see deep, vivid reds and pinks, along with bright oranges and yellows and the luminous sun in the middle of nature’s masterpiece. Although it is only around forty degrees this morning, I can feel my heart burning with the desire to explore the various park features. It is only my first day at Crater Lake, and I can already feel myself beginning to love this unique, wonderful place.…
I felt the stock of my bow while I was sitting in the blind. Frost had already began to form where I rubbed it off seconds ago. I looked through the small window at the everlasting snow. “Wait, was that a deer moving along those trees?” I asked myself. It looked more like a kangaroo making its way through the snow. I could barely stand up in the cold. I pulled back, ready to take the shot.…
If I don’t have homework for 4-5 days. I think I will go Lake Tahoe and rent a cabin for these nights. I will bring my camera and go there to take some photos. At night, I will stay in the cabin and look through the photos I take to find some good or bad aspect for each photo to improve my photography skill. And I will bring some tea with me, so I can truly relax from the academic stress.…
This spring I spent two-weeks in New York visiting my daughter and her family. I spend a lot of time in the city, and I love it, not only because my daughter has chosen to create and raise a family in Brooklyn, but also because of its walkability. I’m not much of a shopper, but I do like to watch other shoppers, particularly those who dress as if they’d like to be watched.…
“And on your left you’ll see one of the tallest waterfalls in the world” the train conductor announced. Everyone shuffled for their camera to capture the moment. As the scene came into view the cog train was filled with the sound of a disappointed gasp, followed by glances to the vested instructor that read ‘are you kidding me’. The “waterfall” looked more like a miniscule stream than a massive landmark he told us it would be. Because we were near the top of Pike’s Peak, he wasn’t completely wrong. We were expecting something the size of Niagara Falls.…
Looking down at my predicament, I saw a steep vertical drop that led into a crystal clear river that flowed between two main opposing canyon slopes. Everything below comprised of layered rocks, cliffs, hills, and valleys, with the occasional hint of green pine trees and plenty of bushes. The air was rich and clear at the same time. A subtle, cool breeze grazed through my thick wolley jacket and reminded me of the potential coldness of mountain weather. The sun brightened at that very moment and heated my cold body. Soon, the sun light spread throughout all of the rocky lands and gave everything a red-orange hue. “Wow what is that!?” my cousin exclaimed. Everyone turned their heads upward. Far into the clear blue sky, a pair of eagles gracefully maneuvered around a puffy white…
The sun shone vibrantly through the trees and I loved the way it complemented the gold leaves. I started to notice the incline to the top of the hill, it was steady unlike the Adirondacks where you go up and down. When I got to the top I saw a spectacular view of the surrounding neighborhoods and way in the distance I saw the buildings of Rochester. As I stood there I admired the pure beauty that lies so close to home. It is hard to believe that a wilderness like this one could be surrounded by suburban neighborhoods. Being higher up and in an open space I could really appreciate the mixture of golds, oranges and yellows it was different than being on regular ground level. I thought to myself ‘’I should do this more often, it’s peaceful and healthy.’’ I felt a certain peace with in me while I’m in the woods, suddenly my phone vibration broke my train of thought. It was my stepmom texting me to see if everything was okay, I replied yes and I’d be back at the trailhead in a short time. The leaves snapped and cracked under my feet on the way back and the crisp fall air made the not yet fallen leaves dance in the trees, it was getting later in the day. I was three quarters through the loop so I was still fine,I wasn’t…
About 2,500 miles east lies the cold and rainy city of Canton, Ohio. The majority of my childhood was spent inside the house as Ohio was not ideal for outdoor adventure. Although, after turning 6, I was introduced to snow skiing . It became an enjoyable hobby of mine for years. Skiing opened my eyes to the beauty of nature and the serenity it provided. I loved the smell of fresh air and the exhilarating feeling of gliding down the mountain. It is a very peaceful sport and provides a silence away from everyday life. Coincidentally, I learned of ski club in middle school where I could ski with several other students that enjoyed this exercise as well. I joined the club and looked forward to the weekly Sunday trips. It showed the importance…
On the fifth day, after hiking 12 miles my hiking partners and I were peacefully sheltered from the downpour outside the tent when we were informed that someone was struggling to hike the last mile up to camp. I volunteered, despite…
Over the summer, I attended a weeklong hike at Philmont Scout Ranch. I had to pack a variety of…
I’ve always wanted to be good at something. Writing isn’t one of them. Hiking however, let’s say I’m confident that I hover somewhere above the line of Intermediate. Good enough to survive high elevation glacier treks and overnighters at least. As a hobby or extracurricular activity, it’s probably my biggest passion. So much that I found that writing of them is like having the opportunity to do each one over again. Once upon a time I set forth a book project, a story telling, you might say, of all my treks including the ascent of five mountains. However, I lacked the confidence of presenting a way to share my stories of me being the key subject. Eventually the project lost steam and fell to the wayside. Even so, I enjoyed reliving each one while writing of them, and, I continued to set goals and hike. Putting myself out there in high open meadows or deep forest of the Cascades has given me a fresh perspective of my everyday world. Forget about football, baseball or sports in general. Forget about housework, yard work or for that matter work itself. Actually, my accommodating career generously facilitated this hobby that at times takes ample time and expense. Therefore, we can’t forget about work. Nonetheless, the introduction to hiking has gotten me off the couch and into the…
Sometimes you only have to visit a place once, to know whether or not, you will ever revisit that location. As for me that would be Mammoth Cave National Park in south central Kentucky when I was thirteen. That park remain to be one of the best places I have ever visited, the trip to it was a long one, due to the fact that we drove all the way their while making various stops at other locations.…
There is a first time for everything. Some first time experiences aren't so important while others we will never forget. One first time experience I will never forget is the first time I went skiing. I remember being lifted on the ski lift chair. The memory of being on top of the high hill with the feeling I am going to puke will be with me forever. The most memorable moment of this whole experience will be the first time I went speeding down the hill and thinking I am going to hit a tree and die!…