as we navigate through the vast wilderness of our national parks, i often remind hikers to be as guarded in nature as captains are with their ships, to withdraw from the daily hustle and treat their journey as an interview with the wilderness. this encounter sets a precedent in their lives, encouraging them to momentarily anchor their worries ashore and reinitiate their course with a fresh perspective, much like ships setting sail into the uncharted waters, ready to explore the vast unknown with respect and caution.