“What I love about backpacking is how it forces me to slow down, sit with my thoughts, and settle into being outside at a pace we are not used to anymore. Most days are nine to five, driving spot to spot, always moving. Backpacking and fly fishing are the times I actually slow down, sit with myself, and become part of the place. At first, I catch myself listening for city sounds, a car pulling up, or a siren, but they never come. The longer I am out there, the more I forget those sounds, and I start to hear where I am instead: wind in the trees, water over rock, the earth beneath my feet. I am grateful I found this, even if it took me a while to get here.”