Five great quotations to toss at kids on a day hike

"There comes...a longing never to travel again except on foot."
Photo courtesy of iphis/Photoree.

One of the great advantages of being out on the trail with your children is the opportunity to bond with them – to jointly share the beauty of nature, to engage in meaningful conversation. The former will take care of itself, but the latter is up to you.

To that end, here are five great quotations about hiking that you might discuss with your children, especially if they are in upper elementary grades or teenagers:

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.” - John Muir

“Jumping from boulder to boulder and never falling, with a heavy pack, is easier than it sounds; you just can't fall when you get into the rhythm of the dance.” - Jack Kerouac

“...being in nature is all about...feeling free, unbounded, shedding the distractions and barriers of our civilization – not bringing them with us.” - Ryel Kestenbaum

“There comes...a longing never to travel again except on foot.” - Wendell Berry

“Returning home is the most difficult part of long-distance hiking; you have grown outside the puzzle and your piece no longer fits.” - Cindy Ross

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.