“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Albert Einstein

One of my favorite activities that has stuck with me throughout my life is backpacking. Backpacking blends hiking with back-country camping. Whether camping with my dad and local Boy Scouts troupe as a kid, hiking through state parks on family vacations, or embarking on extensive backpacking trips through the wilderness with my college buddies, nature has always had its way of drawing me near. After years of developing my career in the tech industry and immersing myself in the fast-moving technologies of today, the call of nature has never felt stronger. The dichotomy between the never ending list of chores in society and the apparent simpleness of nature keeps bringing me back time and time again. The feeling of re-entering the world after having spent a few days in the wilderness experiencing all that nature has to offer is harsh but revitalizing.

I often ponder on the idea that humans spend most of their time trying to separate themselves from the earth. We continuously build increasing layers of separation between us and nature. I find this both necessary and conflicting. Everyone needs to hit the “reset button” periodically, might I suggest doing so while connecting with the place we call home.

My favorite backpacking places, trails, and trips!

Cloudland Canyon State Park, GA | https://gastateparks.org/CloudlandCanyon

Cumberland Island | https://www.nps.gov/cuis/index.htm

Recommended Reading | Untamed: The Wildest Woman in America and the Fight for Cumberland Island