At 50—and living with degenerative arthritis—I honestly never thought that hiking was something meant for me. While I enjoyed watching hikers on YouTube, I assumed that was as far as I’d ever get; Trail Challenges were for other people. But finding that first challenge kiosk on the trails, and exploring the Metroparks this season, has completely shifted my perspective. Step by step, each trail gave me a space where I could move comfortably, enjoy my surroundings, and realize that hiking is for me after all. Participating in this challenge hasn’t been just about visiting different areas and seeing things that I’ve never seen before; it’s been about reclaiming movement and finding joy outdoors on my own terms. -Germaine