This class has sparked a desire within me to hike more. While I have not gained the desire to long-distance hike, I do wish to get out onto my local trails more than I have in the past. I know that I will not reap the same results as those who thru-hike, but by day hiking I will receive greater interaction with nature and I will receive some of the experiences that hikers have. My experiences will not be as spiritual as those of thru-hikers because I will not be exposed to the trail for the same amount of time as they are. I also will not be leaving behind modern society for even close to the same amount of time as they are, meaning I will not experience the trail as liminal. At the end of the couple of hours that I will be on the trail, I will return to the technology and selfishness of society.
The trails that I wish to hike range from paths in the woods near my house, paths that follow the Rappahannock River to trails in the Shenandoah Mountains such as the White Oak Canyon Trail and Old Rag. These hikes are not even close to the level of strain that are experienced on long-distance hikes. The terrain on the Appalachian Trail, especially in the northern states such as Pennsylvania and Maine is extremely taxing whereas the terrain on the trails that I wish to hike many be rough and steep in some areas, but that is nothing compared to an entire section of a thousand of mile long hike being that difficult.
Being placed in Sacred Communications, Sacred Journeys has taught me about the major trails that are popular for thru-hiking and it has sparked an increased desire to get outside and connect with the environment in ways that I have not frequently done so previously.
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