The question I get the most from friends and family and co-workers is: "are you still hiking?" I was introduced to serious hiking by a former date and because I no longer date him, I think people assume that I'd lose interest as if it were only a phase I'd gone through. Truth is, I am totally enamored with hiking and getting away from the drudgery of every day city life whenever possible to get up to the mountains, hit a trail regardless of actually making it's peak or not but just simply to be there and be able to take it all in makes me soooo happy and fulfilled!!
I also feel that it's a lonely existence when you can't freely share your experiences with other non-hikers in your life as they just give you blank looks. My teens had the audacity to tell me a while ago, "Mom, don't send us any more links to your pics, we don't look at them". Ugggh!! LOL Gotta love them... I do understand though, it's all so foreign to them and their take on it seems to be that "if mom enjoys hiking, then it's gotta be boring"!!
Further, I've also heard, "well, the pics all look the same...trees, woods, mountains". Admittedly, certainly pictures can't transmit the whole experience!
While I do have a kid niece that's interested in coming along some hikes with me, her mom (my sister), won't yet let her as she thinks it'll be too dangerous. Again, would I choose a dangerous trail to take my kid niece on? Of course not! It's also a misconception that many non-hikers have that mountain hiking is for extremists only.
So I’ve basically stopped sharing pics and stories about my adventures, small or otherwise and just keep these to myself or share with the hiking forums where I know they are appreciated.
