Stories from the Trail
Mary Anne Hardy: Why I Hike
Mary Anne Hardy and Elizabeth Fiorilo in Connecticut, near Bear Mountain.
I started hiking with my family when I was ten years old and, 50 years later, I’m still hiking! It is important to me for so many reasons. Foremost, hiking in the woods helps me calm my mind and de-stress. I hike two-three times a week. I love all types of trails. I love scrambling on rocky trails, I love the soft cushion of trails through pine forest, and I even love the thrill of a challenging stream crossing. Hiking lets me connect with nature. I spend time listening to bird songs and examining the various flora on the trail. It’s also a legacy from my parents and something that I pass on to my own children.