The Outdoors

    I have always loved challenging myself.  The struggles I go through make the feeling so much better when I reach my goal.  Hiking stands out as one of my favorite activities because of its challenge.  There are some hikes I like more than others, but there is one that is truly my favorite.  There was nothing like climbing part of Mont Blanc, one of Europe's tallest peaks.  The trail was extremely steep almost the whole way and my legs started to burn after about 15 minutes in.  I loved when my ears started to pop because I knew that I had made a lot of progress at this point.  When I made it to the point where my hike ended, there was a large flat area with a restaurant and an amazing view of the Alps.  I was above the tree line and the wind was howling.  It was the middle of the summer but there were still a few patches of snow.  I looked up to the top of the mountain that towered above me and it was fully coated in tons of snow.  I was right on plane with a massive glacier which was breathtaking. I luckily got to enjoy this view while I ate my lunch out on the porch of the restaurant.  I couldn't get over how cool the Alps looked and how dramatic they were.  These made the white mountains of New Hampshire look like minuscule rolling hills.
    I guess its more than just hiking.  I just love the outdoors and the feeling of freedom it gives me.  I was surrounded by such a vast and dramatic landscape which what I really loved.  These things are what relaxes me and there is nothing better than having nothing to worry about.