A Short Summer Hike
On a late summer evening, with the midnight sun still casting its glow, I wandered to the mountains nearby my home where I often go hiking. Just a few days prior, I had spotted an intriguing hilltop in these mountains where another hiker was lounging in a hammock. From my vantage point at the hill’s base, I thought it must have a stunning view of the city from up there. Tonight’s trip into the mountains would be to see this spot for myself.
On my way there, I had to travel along a busy road, and I was slightly annoyed by the amount of cars driving this evening. My gaze slowly drifted towards the curbside, where a strip of grass was growing between the street and the sidewalk. In this grassy area, dozens of wildflowers were growing in bright hues of pink, purple, and yellow. I could feel a small smile tugging at the edge of my lips as I let the silver lining of the moment thread its way over my irritations and leave only a beautiful pattern of this moment behind.
When I arrived at the mountains, I chose an unconventional route, uncertain of the exact direction I wanted to take. A tall ascent took me past a beautiful collection of Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) and Large-leaved Lupines (Lupinus polyphyllus) and I marvelled at their rich hues for a moment.
Not long after, the hill I was looking for came into view. On a whim, I diverged from the main path, hoping an unmarked trail might serve as a shortcut. The foliage was thick, and I had to push back branches as I ventured into the woods, but I could see the general shape of the hill beside me. Yet, as I drew nearer, swarms of flies circled my head, the undergrowth tugged at my legs and the rocky terrain made my footing unstable. After a few minutes of trudging through this unpleasant experience, still no closer to finding a clear path to the top, the hill’s allure began to wane. I could’ve pushed on, scrambling to the summit somehow, but I recognized that reaching the top wasn’t actually what my heart wanted to do tonight.
I decided to abandon my quest and look for a more pleasant part of the mountains to explore. The flies grew more relentless and the trail vanished completely. Soon, I was met with a dense grove of pine trees, their branches barricading my way. Shielding my face and zipping up my jacket, I plowed through the undergrowth. Emerging on the other side, I was greeted by a spacious clearing— a haven of fresh air, free from flies, with a perfect spot to sit on some smooth, fallen tree trunks. I sat down for a moment, and breathed in the moment of respite. Looking out into the forest, I suddenly noticed white moths silently fluttering between the trees. They danced just above the shrubbery, then disappeared into the evening darkness like shy fairies. At that moment, I realized that what my heart had truly sought that evening was a serene place to relax and soak in the night’s ambiance.
In a way, this felt like a metaphor for life. Often, we set goals believing they are what we desire. Yet, as we draw closer, we might realize they aren’t what we truly seek or need at that moment. There are times we must retrace our steps and opt for a different life trajectory. Even if the way forward seems barred from reach, we’ll eventually find ourselves where we are meant to be. Sometimes, the unexpected destination is even more fulfilling than the one we originally envisioned.
