“And at the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair messy and your eyes sparkling.” -- Shanti

Summers are meant to be lived with dirty feet, calloused hands, tanned faces and full hearts. It never fails to bring about the best weather for activities that are good for the soul. Sucking in massive amounts of air and pushing your legs uphill so hard that they feel at least 100 times hotter than the 90-degree sun beating down on your backpack-covered shoulders will make you feel more alive than anything else ever could. There is something about the vastness of the land beneath you as you reach the summit of a mountain that has the power to make you feel like the smallest thing on Earth, but simultaneously, the biggest. The strength gained from conquering mountains will forever give you the strength to overcome other obstacles placed in your life.

Our greatest friendships and connections won't be made while binge-watching Netflix or searching for the latest trend at the mall. They are forged and strengthened by every mile hiked, every camp site found, and by every cast of a fishing rod. The quality of friendships made in the outdoors will be the friendships that change the course of our lives forever. They force us to constantly grow, change and evolve into better versions of ourselves.

For as long as your legs can carry you, your hands can cast a fishing rod and your back will allow you to painlessly sleep on the ground, do it. Time is fleeting and your opportunities to get outside will become limited, so chase the things that make you happiest with the highest quality of company at your side. Nothing will allow you to think as clearly, refresh your soul, or inspire you to love quite as deeply as time spent in nature will. My hope for you is that you let go of the petty things in life, the negative people and your everyday stresses when you escape to the woods, river, beach or mountains. After all, that is what summer is for.