GypsyNursing: Something Bigger

One of my friends claims she doesn't like hiking. She doesn't see the point. That's cool, to each her own, but it got me thinking about why I love hiking. It's not like running where you have a goal that you work toward to accomplish. You can never complete it or check it off your list. For me, it's not about an accomplishment or even exercise. It's about an experience. My experience varies based on location, scenery, or company, but what always occurs is my inevitable change in focus. Without trying, my thoughts shift away from myself as I am overwhelmed with the "bigness" of the world. Whether I am taking in 12 different colors of tiny mushrooms growing alongside the rushing waterfalls of Blue Ridge, GA or the expansive blue skies contrasting against the white snow-covered Rocky Mountains, a powerful feeling of "there is something bigger out there" overtakes me. It doesn't make me feel insignificant necessarily, but thankful to be a part of such an amazing world, to be a part of something bigger.

I was lucky enough to have several of these moments as I explored the Black Hills of South Dakota this past weekend. I drove up through Wind Cave National Park to an adorable log cabin outside of Custer, SD. Here was the view off the front porch where I watched cows and deer graze while eating breakfast:

Needles Highway runs through Custer State Park and Black Hills National Forrest. This narrow road twists and turns through tunnels that have been cut into the hills revealing tall spire-shaped rocks rising into the landscape. I even saw Billy Goats climbing around on the mountain!