The trail becomes a trusted friend. You have stories together now woven into the turns, the ups and downs. That ditch where you think "remember the time..." and laugh about the time you fell, or swallowed a spider. Or saw a rafter of turkeys, as surprised to see you as you them. The trail offers encouragement - the nature of trails is they want you to succeed. To progress. To take care of yourself, so you will visit more often.

Trails begin to become you. Those rocks and roots and soft pine needles and forest full of scent. They become part of your lungs, your toes. Your ankles begin to understand the contours of the ground, that twist that once hobbled merely a nip to remind you that you belong to the woods. Pay attention. At times, on days when the weather purrs for both you and trees, you feel the lungs expand, arboreal gills, and your breath harmonizes with the forest's cycle, the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen operating without any effort of your own.