sometimes, there's nothing better than...

...the sound of pebbles and fallen leaves crunch with every foot strike.
...hearing the sound of your own breath.
...sweating in 30 degree weather.
...the way the sun breaks through the trees, casting shadows on the dirt floor.
...the smell of deer piss early in the morning.
...running at your own pace.
...crossing a stream and not getting wet.
...falling and having no one else witness.
...watching deer watching you.
...seeing the steam rise off your shoulders.
...feeling that grumbling hunger in your belly.
...seeing the lake from 100 feet up.
...fearing you've lost your way and suddenly coming upon the trail head.
...running trails for two hours all alone and then meeting up with a friend to blaze some new ones.