All Natural Hike

I have always enjoyed getting away and losing myself in the wilderness. There is something truly invigorating and peaceful about wandering through nature. It's a place where you can contemplate creativity as you are surrounded by nature's beautiful pallet. You can destress and get away from the noise and clutter of civilization. In a way, it's sort of like meditating, except rather than sitting in a room with your legs folded, you are surrounded by nothing other than the sounds and sights of the forest, rivers,streams,lakes, flowers, wildlife and other amazing beautiful sights.

Avilahuayca in the Cajas, Cuenca

Base of the Salkantay, Peru

It can also be a wonderful way to meet new people, find new surroundings and keep physically fit. We have been very lucky in that regard and, to date, have had the opportunity to hike and wander amongst some incredibly stunning scenery in the world. We've met a lot of amazing people and hopefully we'll also visit and meet plenty more in the future.

Our Salkantay trekking group

Axel (hiking is a natural high)

Salkantay

I was born in the Gaspe Peninsula area of the province of Quebec, Canada and Danica was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia and then we spent most of our lives in and around Vancouver, B.C. These are all incredibly beautiful parts of Canada, an amazingly vast and stunningly gorgeous country.

Percé Rock, Gaspé Peninsula

Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia

I consider myself very lucky to be a Canadian and to have had the pleasure and opportunity to grow up being free and feeling safe to venture out into the wilderness that abounds throughout. There doesn't seem to be a limit to the lakes, forests, mountains, or oceans that are within easy distance from almost anywhere in the country. It is the second largest country by area in the world and 38th by population consisting of just over 36 million people compared to the largest country Russia's 143.4 million. This gives us a vast amount of free space to wander and explore.

Whistler, B.C.

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I'm not sure if being from a country that has so much wilderness is part of the reason that I enjoy being in nature and hiking so much, but it had to play some role in it, I'm sure, and I don't hike nearly as much as a lot of Canadians and other people in the world but I do thoroughly enjoy it.

 

Freycinet National Park

Some people hike for the exercise, such as a lot of the Vancouver people who tackle the Grouse Grind on a regular basis, and some do it strictly for the pleasure of communing with nature. For me it's kind of a combination of the two. I love the experience of being out there but I also love pushing myself to see what I can accomplish.

Grouse Grind

I am also amazed at the ability of a lot of people in the world that despite their age they continue to have an incredible mental and physical ability to do very challenging hikes and other sports feats and they seem to thrive on accomplishing their chosen task with great joy. I, too, will strive to continue to do these things in my life and each time I have the chance to achieve another hike or another adventure I rejoice that I have the freedom, blessing and opportunity to do these things in my life, because there are so many people in the world that are unable to.

Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

12 Apostles, Australia

Blue Mountains, Australia

Three Sisters, Australia