Nahum 1:15 “Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace!” (NAS)
Hiking buddies are precious friends who are always up for a walk with you. It can be those who are more adventurous and like the unknown. Sometimes you are the leader and sometimes they are. I have hiked miles with one friend, Gaye. She introduced me to the Front Range of Colorado hikes around Colorado Springs. I was new here and she shared Cheyenne Canyon, Seven Bridges, behind the Broadmoor, up the Canyon, Black Forest, and the Air Force Academy.
After I had been here awhile, we then ventured to Divide to the Crags, Pancake Rocks, Horsethief Falls, and Mueller State Park. She now lives in Western Colorado and we hike less frequently, and have to plan months in advance for a weeklong hiking adventure.
There are the friends who you can call for a neighborhood stroll on a moment’s notice. My neighbors all hike to our neighborhood park, but we live such different schedules, we don’t always go together. But it is great to meet one another on the trail and you do see many people who walk together daily, even if it is to the same place. These hiking buddies are your prayer partners, exercise encouragers, nature nuts, and faithful friends.
We all have those friends who are only hiking buddies and there are clubs, groups, associations, and travel groups devoted to people who love to hike. It is never hard to find someone who finds taking one step after another delightful. Others like getting to know new people, or catching up with their friend while they hike. They find this the best experience of their week. I have cried, laughed, told confidences, been sad, counseled and just listened on hikes with friends.
Who are your hiking buddies? How long since you have been together?