For the first time in a long while, I completed a Radnor Lake State Park triathlon. Basically, I hiked the Ganier Ridge, South Cove, and Lake Trails all in one afternoon.

All in all, I hiked for right at 3 hours. No wonder my feet hurt.

But it was completely worth it. At times when I’m by myself and I can hear my own thoughts — as well as the sounds of nature all around me– I feel like Thoreau must have felt at Walden Pond.

There’s something about being out in nature that’s very restorative and relaxing. For me, it feels like profaning the silence to speak, so I keep my mouth shut and looks and listen.

In a culture that’s addicted to constant noise, we forget how peaceful the quiet can be. Maybe it’s time we started to indulge in a little peace and quiet every now and then.