Hi @ShiningStar 

What a beautiful reply to my post! You are so gentle and supportive.

The “enchanted forest”.  I came upon this while hiking around Lake Waikiremoana in New Zealand. I had to ascend a long way up on one of the days. After doing this I found myself all of a sudden in an incredibly quiet, hauntingly beautiful forest that was cloaked with the clouds (from being so high up). I got to hike through this space alone for 4kms. I was positively transported.

In hearing your story regarding snow, I also have a memory I’d like to share with you. On my first major hike I had to trek and camp on snow. Where we camped was straight out of a glossy postcard, all with a mountain in the background and a gently running stream right next to my tent. I was frozen, but very happy. 

Doing my hiking has loads of benefits, particularly my mental health. I don’t always feel good right after I finish a hike - my mind is often blank. Thinking back on them privately makes me proud and more confident (these feelings can be short-lived). I share the details of my exploits with very few as it’s not always a positive experience for me.

Recently I’ve started organising to go on more and more hikes, some that are more challenging - I'm starting to feel fearless and addicted to just feeling good. I’m starting to believe that it’s not unexpected for me to need to walk - I think now that the Elder might have just been stating the obvious!

I loved the fact you love the ocean. I did scuba diving for many years. There’s nothing like it!  Not enough room in this post to cover off on this subject.

Take care and thank you so much for your support.