Despite the notorious reputation of “Rockslvania,” I enjoyed walking the last 116 miles of the trail. I get excited about rocks- perhaps because I’m a rock climber. I enjoy hopping over boulders and scrambling on rocky 3rd class terrain. I’m also a surfer. I can balance on wobbly rocks, just like maneuvering a surfboard on the waves.

This is my first visit to Pennsylvania, and I’ve been delighted by many awe-inspiring moments. I’m deeply grateful for having these experiences and for choosing a life that embraces our beautiful planet. Otherwise, I would have missed the chance to witness such beauty!

Some people may think that I am missing out on other great and fun things, social and cultural events, TV shows, and sports (World Cup!) by being on the trail alone for months. I’m okay- I know it’s not possible to do everything you want to do. “The more is better” is a capitalistic ideology, and we were taught to believe it. For me, often, “the less is more”- know your truth, be honest with what you like and what you don’t care much about, and choose what really matters the most.

I chose a non-materialistic way of life for someone who grew up and lives in an industrialized world. I think the more I own, the more attachment I’d have, and therefore, the less freedom I’d feel. Whether I am on or off the trail, I practice a minimalist way of living to be free and work to develop a sense of awareness of what I need to live a decent life versus what I want to have. It is a critical practice of sustainable living and a simple everyday protest against capitalism, which causes many harms that devastate humanity and the Earth.

Our planet provides us with many awe-inspiring moments. During this middle Pennsylvania section, there were times when I felt I was glad to be alive and in awe of nature. My favorite one, and I cannot get enough of it, is this one: The song of Wood Thrush, the angelic singer, echoes in the green cathedral as I settle into a camp in the woods. The evening sun shines through the trees. I eat my dinner in the dusk, watching the night fall. In the dark, the fireflies light up like lights on a Christmas tree. I watch the magic of light and dark until I doze off to deep sleep. It is like a dream, and this is what the real world is. Our reality is full of breathtaking phenomena, if only we can be there to witness the truth.

When I found wild cherries on the ground soon after I left Duncannon, I was thrilled. I started picking the dark ones and had the most tasty cherries of my life. I was not the only one who was excited about the cherries. I saw bear scat full of cherry pits, and a few minutes later, I saw a bear! We looked at each other and left enough room for us to go on our own business. I am not scared of bears. They are my kin.

When I found and tasted the first blueberries of the season and the wild flavor bursted in my mouth, when I climbed up on top of the rock and saw the thick green belt underneath, when I wake up to the songs of Wood Thrush and sing back to them, “beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful voice,” and the list goes on for the moment of awe.

I wish more people would experience such moments so they aren’t missing out on being human. Our bodies are built for labor, our senses are given to notice stunning things, and emotions are gifted to us to feel inspiration and care for what we love. Our creator put us on Earth in this way so that we take good care of our planet.

Today, I came down to Lehigh River. Joe picked me up and drove me to his beautiful home with a hot tub ready for me to soak in. I met Joe and his family when I was hiking through Shenandoah National Park. They were on a weekend trip, day hiking. Joe offered me a place to stay at their home when I come through Pennsylvania. So here I am. How amazing is that!

As Joe and I were chatting, he said he often thinks about missing out on things and going through his life without knowing what he missed. It could be social or family time. It could be opportunities to try something. It could be anything. So, even though I arrived during his work hours, he took time to get to know me and wanted to have quality time with me. Then he asked, “Do you feel worried about missing out?”

I said that’s not how I usually think about living my life and told him that I don’t think I’m missing out on anything.

Living a life on this beautiful planet that provides so many awe-inspiring moments, and if you keep going on your life without noticing the beauty, indeed, you’re missing out. That’s just my opinion. Everybody is different. I just hope you know yourself enough to hold on to your values, be real, and never betray yourself.