Well, I’m finally feeling like answering the a daily Prompt again. Today’s prompt is… Beaches or mountains, and tell us why. And you know me, I ain’t picking. I love them both, but for very different reasons, and at different times.
I’m a mountain man. I like to hike. I like to find destinations that don’t have destinations. If nobody was around to stop me, I’d probably hike farther than I do, just to see a lot less than I do. Ohio is sacred there’s something sacred in the quiet, in the moments between one peak and the next. Being out in nature, away from people, away from screens, schedules, and most important to me no one’s bothering me about being trans. I just exist. Seeing and feeling things sometimes that’s everything. Sometimes I touch a tree, just to touch it, and whisper “thank you,” like it’s listening.
I’m also not always trying to disappear into the woods. Sometimes I want to feel the sand between my toes, sip a mojito by the ocean, let the sun hang on my skin. And yet… even then, there’s that itch to pick up my tent, walk farther than anyone else, and not see a soul for a day or two. I’m the one who goes out over their head in the ocean when swimming, just because I can. The water is alive, and I want to be alive in it too.
I’ve been chasing both my whole life. When I lived in Vegas, every other weekend we’d drive through the mountains just to get to LA. The mountains, the hills, the twists and turns they made the journey alive. Nature isn’t one thing to me. Clearly the ocean is nature. The woods are nature. The mountains are nature. Unless it’s Florida. I ain’t never been, and I don’t plan on it either.
So which do I love more? I don’t. I love them both, for different reasons, at different times. The mountains feed my soul with quiet and effort. The beaches feed my soul with freedom and motion. Sometimes it’s the smell of pine. Sometimes it’s the taste of salt water on my lips or smelling it hanging in the air. Sometimes it’s just sitting still, sometimes I know it’s walking farther than I’ve ever walked before. Both remind me why I need nature at all, and both remind me why I’ll keep chasing it, wherever it is.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about what I need more of. And not in the material sense, but in the marrow of my days. The kind of “more” that fills, steadies, and fuels. The kind of “more” that shapes a life worth remembering. It’s not about excess, it’s about abundance in the things that matter most: trails, laughter, waterfalls, family, community, creation. These are the moments that root me, the pieces of life that remind me why I keep pushing forward.
I want more Ohio winding trails, through forests, hills, and hidden ridges that still call my name.
The backwoods bonfires, with sparks lifting like prayers into the dark.
Then of course more s’mores, sticky fingers and laughter mixed with smoke.
Relaxing trips to the lake, the sun reflecting on ripples like glass.
That leads to more camping trips, with the quiet hum of crickets and the steady breath of earth beneath me.
I’m a sucker for a waterfall, tumbling like time itself.
And I could use more kayaking, with my arms burning but spirit alive.
I’d love time with Kelso, their presence steady as a compass.
And time with my sisters, weaving memories out of ordinary afternoons.
I’ll always want time with my mom. May she rest in paradise. Though, I am carrying her in every quiet moment, every place where the wind sounds like her voice.
I want more of these moments because they are the anchors: where the noise quiets and the core of living rises up clear. Trails, rivers, bonfires, and late-night laughter don’t just fill time; they carve it into memory. They remind me I’m not just moving through life, I’m part of it… woven into the forests, the water, the people who walk beside me.
I want more because “more” isn’t greed, it’s gratitude. It’s choosing to multiply the things that heal instead of the things that drain. More connection, more earth beneath my boots, more stories written in smoke and stone. These are the things that make the days stretch wide and give me the energy to keep pushing, keep creating, keep fighting for the world I believe in.
The list Continues:
All this make me want More sunrises on trailheads.
And then sunsets bleeding across horizons too wide for words.
I wish for journals filled, ink poured like rivers of thought.
I’d love a good rockhounding trip, uncovering pieces of the earth’s hidden heart. UP MICHIGAN is always on my list!
I want advocacy, protests, standing up when silence would be easier.
And More poetry read aloud, words stitched into air.
With this I need more community built, where every voice finds its place.
I love more time with my dog. The walks, snuggles, the simple grounding presence only she can give.
And time with my cats, their quiet purrs stitching calm into my days.
Who wouldn’t love more time gaming? We know play matters too, and escape can be just as healing as creation.
I would die for more time making physical products for my shop: witchy items, jewelry, keychains, and more. The tangible art that keeps my hands moving and my spirit rooted.
And more time on writing retreats, they don’t need to be fancy! I just need the only noise to be pen to paper and the only task is to let words flow free.
Spending time connecting with other poets and creators, trading sparks and building bonfires out of shared voices.
More more more ! Give me more! experiments, more mistakes, more chances to grow without apology.
Why?
Because if I’m honest, FOMO: the fear of missing out, lurks in the background. Not about the shiny, curated things the world flaunts online, but about missing the marrow of my own life. Missing the trails I haven’t hiked yet, the poems I haven’t written, the moments with the people and creatures I love most. Fear of missing the work that matters, the fire that only comes alive when I’m fully in it.
So this is my reminder to myself: don’t let fear decide. Let more decide. More moments, more presence, more joy stacked up like stones marking a trail forward.
Because life isn’t about less. It’s about leaning into more, the kind of more that fills you up without emptying the world.
Wanting more doesn’t make me restless, it makes me aware. Aware that life is short, that moments slip by, that time with people I love and places that restore me cannot be taken for granted. So I’m choosing more. More presence, more connection, more experiences that outlast the scroll of a screen.
Your turn:
What would you want more of? Where do you feel time calling you? Share it with me, and let’s hold each other accountable to seek more of what matters, and to build lives overflowing with meaning, not scarcity.
Sunday is technically a work night for me. I’m a weekend warrior at the nursing home, but that doesn’t stop the pull of a perfect September afternoon. I woke up early around 2 p.m. and couldn’t get back to sleep. The weather was reading a nice 80 degrees, clear skies, the kind of day that begs for a quick escape, if you cannot fit in a full escape. Luna, my dog, was already side-eyeing me like she knew what was coming, wheels spinning in my head. I swear she knows me better than anyone.
We ran to the car, like it was a race. Of course we made a quick pit stop at the drive-thru for a zero Red Bull, before we hit the road. Dennison Biological Reserve is one of our go-to spots when we want a short burst of fresh air, greenery, and wildlife without committing to a full-day hike. It is right up the street though technically a different town. Granville, Ohio is home to this local gem. Be respectful, leave no trace, don’t interfere with the natural environment as the college uses it for their programs and is nice enough to allow public access. They even leave out doggie bowls for water! Bless!!
Arboretum Loop Trail
We went straight for the Arboretum Loop Trail, and today we did it twice. It’s a flat, easy loop, perfect for a brisk half mile that we covered in under 10 minutes per lap. The trail is simple but full of little discoveries. Luna bounced along the path, sniffing everything, clearly enjoying the change in scenery. I spotted a striking yellow-and-blue butterfly, among the flowers as if it had been painted there for the occasion.
At one point, we stumbled across an entire raccoon skeleton. Luna pulled and sniffed the air curiously, but I didn’t allow her close. I also didn’t risk collecting them for chimes and wands because roundworms aren’t worth that. Though, I couldn’t help but pause and appreciate how these small, almost hidden details make even short trips feel like an adventure. That’s the beauty of these local spots accessible and full of unexpected wildlife moments.
Why These Small Trips Matter
Even short trips like this make a difference. Being outside, moving, seeing wildlife, and noticing details like a butterfly’s wing or the pattern of leaves in sunlight. At least for me is a reset for my brain. It doesn’t matter that we only did a mile; walking, breathing fresh air, and being somewhere alive with natural details gives me the kind of mental recharge that sticks with me for hours. The sunlight is a big part of what makes this so important for someone like me with seasonal affective disorder. Though I would argue sunlight is important in boosting almost every individuals day… in the right situations.
Autumn Leaves on The Arboretum Trail
These little adventures remind me that you don’t always need a full day or a long trail to feel recharged. Even a short loop or two at a local reserve can be enough to clear the head, reset perspective, and get me ready to handle the rest of my day… or night at work. Now I’ll be feeling much lighter and more grounded.
Local Highlights
Wildlife spotting: Butterflies, raccoon skeletons, birds, and the occasional squirrel or chipmunk. Trail accessibility: Seasonal vibes: September afternoons bring warmth, crisp air, and long shadows… perfect for photography or just breathing it all in.
Dennison Biological Reserve is one of those gems that’s easy to forget until you need it. Quick, local, low-commitment, but high in payoff for mood, energy, and mental clarity. Even a single mile, a short loop, can remind you why you keep chasing little moments of nature.
Though just to note there is also a close to 2 mile loop here and another closer to 3.5 mile loop. That both sit on a privately owned no access allowed lake/pond. Please respect others and their property and do not disturb the private lake areas.
Second visit in 8 days / brought a friend this time
Back again, second time in just over a week. I didn’t plan on becoming someone who returns to the same place so soon, but here I am. Fossil Park’s got a hold on me, apparently.
This time I brought a friend. They’d never been either, and she didn’t know what to look for, what was real, what was just rock. Same as me the first time, honestly. But where I was breaking apart crumbly layers of mud and shale, they were out there going at full boulders like a one-person demolition crew. I looked over at one point and they were dead-serious trying to crack open a rock the size of a car battery. I told them, “You’re working too hard. You look for these.” And I handed her some shale. Eventually she caught on, just as I had. As for me? I found a rock shaped like a heart. That’s already a good day.
The water tower that marks the parking lot
But this one had fossils stretched across the surface… tiny patterns and lines like pressed flowers, just petrified. It’s rough, imperfect, and absolutely getting added to the little collection I’ve been building for my fiancé. I always keep heart-shaped rocks for them. This one just happens to be 375 million years old and covered in dead sea life. Felt right.
We took our time heading back. Talked. Wandered. Didn’t even feel rushed. That’s two visits now, and I’m already thinking about the third. Might be soon.
Every year, without fail, I make a point to return to western North Carolina, usually in January (before this year). To see my sister It was a personal promise, to my mom. Now it is a form of spiritual maintenance, and something I know will never change unless my sister moves. The Blue Ridge Mountains are already calling me back, and I’ve been home less than a week. Yet I already know I will answer. Still, before WNC see’s me, I have several other trips locked in that I’m really excited about.
Trip one:
On August 7th, 2025, I’ll be exploring permit only hikes in and around Hocking Hills, Ohio. This will consist of us completing three out of four of the permit-only areas. I’ve been approved already, and the sign-up is free on the Ohio DNR website. My buddy and her little kiddo will be joining me. We’ll be exploring Boch Hollow specifically Laurel Falls, Little Rocky Hollow, and the Saltpetre Cave State Nature Preserve. These aren’t your typical walk-in hikes. They’re protected, limited-access preserves that need permits to guarantee the safety of the biodiverse natural areas. I’m incredibly grateful to understand and respect the importance of maintaining the natural ecosystem’s integrity. Permits in Ohio are mainly for monitoring foot traffic. They help preserve these specific biodiversity areas and preserves.
Trip Two
Just a few days later, on August 12th, I’ll be heading up to Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) in Cleveland. I’m meeting up with a friend to explore for the day. The Ledges Trail is already on the itinerary. We plan to fill the day with more stops inside CVNP. Then we’ll explore along Lake Erie afterward. There’s potential to do rock hounding. I’m hoping to discover some lake-worn treasures. I even find fossils during the visit. As well as definitely chasing some waterfalls and Ohio ledges.
Future plans
Before September, or in early September, my pal and I hope to go backwoods camping in Virginia. Maybe her kiddo will join too. The spot is close to the Devil’s Bathtub area. It will be at minimum 200 units (I can’t recall if it was meters or feet) from the water. The area is known for its beauty. It boasts a waterfall into a clear, freezing swimming hole. If you didn’t know, legend states this is the only water source cold enough to bathe the devil. Sadly, this plan isn’t locked in just yet. Though, it’s something I hope comes together fully.
Beyond those specific date or places, I’ve been collecting a list of nearby destinations. These places are across Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio. They all are less than or equal to 5 hours from home each way. These include hidden waterfalls, scenic overlooks, historical fossil sites, quirky statues, and other neat things. I like to travel spontaneously, so this is probably as “planned” in the future as I get. If you exclude my annual western North Carolina trip to see my sister.
Port Huron
I’ve also had Port Huron and Petoskey, Michigan on my mind. The idea of finding real Petoskey stones excites me. I do not want to barter for them, which is enough to almost make me head there now. I find the idea of exploring the Lake Huron shoreline to be incredibly appealing. Between the lake stones, fossils, and the open water, it feels like the perfect mix of grounding and adventure.
Nature, movement, and discovery are always part of my year. I make space for new trails, new stones, and new memories. Whether it’s a permitted hike in Ohio or a spontaneous camping trip in Virginia, I embrace new adventures. Even if my travel plans shift along the way, my commitment to exploration never fades. I have a deep lust for wonder.
