One hiker appreciates the rushing sound of the Potomac River. Another appreciates the spring sun shining on silver maple blossoms. Another stands at the Lewis and Clark marker and wonders what their hike must have entailed and whether a similar one waits. In the final analysis, I suppose it is the Department of Internal Affairs that the great sport of hiking speaks most meaningfully to.

Bill Rozday grew up in western Pennsylvania and began writing at 13 years old. His latest work depicts a hike over a California mountaintop once hiked by Native Americans gathering obsidian to fashion into arrowheads. A poet as well, he has published in periodicals in Scotland and Australia. Bill is the author of The High Ground Books, a hiking series. For more information visit VirginPinesPress.com.