Thomas J. Evans Trail Analysis

With an enormous impact in the world, the Amazon Rainforest is full of life, venturing choices, and artistry. As the bases of my shoes touch the doughy, spongy floor, I could feel my feet sink just a little bit into the earth. Overhead, the eye cannot see far away since the massive, fleshy, dark green leaves touch at just the right point to cover the sunlight from pounding onto the ground. Suddenly, little drops of water kissed my face and rolled down my checks. After a short period of time, the scent of rain started to drift into my nose, fresh and earthy. Further away, a small stream that twinkled with the rays of golden sunshine gently touching it. Near the river, a variety of vivid, pastel-colored flowers were swaying in the wind. With

The mountains are a beautiful adventure. As you walk up the incline, trees overhang, animals run wild, and rivers roar. All of these are things that keep me coming back to hike. On my most recent hike, while it may have been 100 degrees back home, where I was it was a chilling 40 degrees. As we walked around ten miles up and over the mountain, I took many breaks to catch my breath and take in the majestic scenery. There are also the snow skiing vacations. While you can’t see anything besides snow and trees, the adventure of cruising down the slopes is full of adrenalin. The mountains have always signified an adventure for me. Just like the mountains, life is a beautiful adventure. I do not know yet what adventures are in store for my life, but I look forward to them. I strive to see the beauty in everything.

Taking on a journey stretching well over 2,100 miles, covering fourteen states (from Maine to Georgia) by foot is no simple stroll where at the end of the day a comfortable bed and hot meal would await you. Instead, hiking the Appalachian Trail can be an endless battle with all the elements of mother nature: whereas in one state spring would have sprung already with wildflowers dressing the forest floors and insects buzzing through crisp air, on other parts of the trail it [the weather conditions] would be smothering heat, but meanwhile a few states north the rain would fall endlessly with gusts of cold wind, and snow would blanket the pathways of the trail and more than likely blizzards

There is no vanity on the AT (The Appalachian Trail) and more than some walk in the woods.  Seems like it would be just an adventure.  It started as a journey and a leap of faith to hike the entire Georgia section of the AT in less than 6 days.  Day 4 it became a transformation.  I saw less than 10 people hiking for 6 days and 90 miles.  I hiked till 7pm each day (one hour prior to sunset) and wherever the spirit led me, I set up my tent, ate my food, journaled, slept and got up at 6 am in order to be back on the trail as soon as I could see it.  Relentless steep climbs on all types of terrain and many painful descents that caused much knee pain.  Several nights totally alone in the wilderness.  Lots of praying and talking to God out loud.

The Appalachian Trail is a massive walking trail that is said to be roughly 2,150 mile long from end to end (pg. 7). This trail is one of few enormous walking trails in the United States. It runs from Georgia all the way to Maine. People set off to walk this trail every spring. They may walk it straight through or in sections. Many obstacles are involved throughout the trail such as: animals, the weather, diseases, and even plants can be a danger as Bryson states multiple times throughout his book. People walk these trails to get a sense of nature that one would not normally feel on a regular daily basis elsewhere. The problem with this is that it creates a division between us and nature. We now have to go out and find nature rather than living

After a long mountainous drive, I arrived at my destination to embrace one of nature’s wonders in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park, Abram Falls Trail. Upon departing the car, a cool crisp breeze brushed my face and the aroma of bacon lingered in the early morning air from the neighboring campground. The narrow rocky footpath looked like a tedious adventure, however a gorgeous, vibrant array of red, purple, orange, and yellow wildflowers blossoming at the entrance made the trail alluring. Navigating the rocky, uneven terrain required sturdy footing, but the quiet stillness created a peaceful relaxing atmosphere. The lush pine-oak forest formed a green canopy of shelter above the trail, offering welcome cool shade, as vivid sunlight filtered through the foliage. A sweet honey fragrance permeated the air, as a stunning scene displayed a cluster of purple and pure white

The goal of this park was to create a beautiful cultural destination that will make the park become a symbol. It will showcase the beauty of nature, which includes creeks, wetlands, meadows, and spectacular views.

The autumn breeze stirred the dampness, rich earth and mossy soil, the fertile smells full of fall. Through her narrowed view, Rachel saw the asparagus in the leaf litter; they peeked from beneath the debris. Green tips that fought their way up, insistent on a second showing. If the frosts came early the tender vegetation would never make the trip. Rachel rooted for them, remembering

A walk in the park is like a short journey to discovering your self. I casually stroll through the dense green, observing nature taking its course. I can hear the bird’s chirping their song, it’s as if they sing a beautiful musical piece. The flow of the gentle breeze brushing against my face also brings a joyous sense of relaxation. It is at this moment I feel calm and at peace with my self. The aroma of fresh air makes me happy that we have such an air to breath, where as others are not so lucky. I observe as I walk along the smooth black pavement, the giant, well defined hill that was made by man. The long, tall stairs that lead up to the top of the hill certainly seems endless. The lush green of the whole park was just an impressive sight to see. This is a beautiful show of nature.

Ever since I was a kid, there has always been something utterly appealing about the open road. Something about how you could go on wonderful adventures if you so wished, but first, you had to be willing to get lost on a road that could lead absolutely anywhere. Willing to explore everything nature has to give you, and, only then, would you find true happiness.

The sun shone brightly on the wet, thawing leaves of the great oak tree. Spring had come and with it the landscape seemed to come alive. Birds chirped, worms wiggled in the mud, people walked about, and animals ran playfully around looking for their first fresh meal of the new year.

Walking through the trail full of mud and leaves always made me think about my life. It was always there when I needed to walk and get things off my mind. Looking around watching the leaves fall off tree after tree flying like butterflies, all different colors. When they stopped, they immediately died and they were not coming back alive again. Piled leaves filled up under trees and children ran and jumped on them like they were pillows. These trees tripled the height of humans with numerous branches holding hundreds of leaves. While walking the river flows and it is such a beautiful view with the sun shining right off of it. The ducks and little birds chirping and floating through the smooth water puts a joy to my face.

Long distance hiking not only helps you physically, but an also help you grow mentally. Many suggest hiking as a therapeutic experience. On long distance hikes, the hiker distances themselves from the trivialities of modern day society and funnels all their attention on only themselves and the trail. This dissociation from life allows the hiker to forget any anxieties they had before the start of their journey. Hiking connects you with nature, appreciating it in its entirety. Hikers takes themselves out of their daily lives and join many others with a similar goal, entering into an accepting community of fellow hikers. Hiking can also boost creativity, as it disconnects one from technology and modern conveniences. They instead must rely on the items in their pack and what they can find in nature. Long distance hiking is considered a form of therapy evoking feelings of creativity, disconnection from civilization, and community.

Then you begin to notice the sound of the grass, brushing against the bottom of your blue rainboots, and the crunching of acorns and twigs underfoot. Crunch. Pop. Crack. A familiar sound. Your attention turns slightly to your right where you find there is a small, dirt path, barely noticeable behind the fingers of the shrubs and saplings on either side of it. Pushing aside some of the leafy, pliable branches in your way, you start down the path. Your lungs fill with a rich, earthy smell. A good smell. It’s the smell of mother nature’s construction and destruction of life.

Where to go when Nature is everywhere? The choices are plentiful enough that it is difficult to make a choice; instead, I decided to take a drive up north without a clear destination, and stop here or there at my own leisure. This opportunity was apt to practice two of my favorite things in the world, wanderlust and photography, and, at the same time, ponder about Nature and Solitude.