why do my friends hate hiking so much?

Last weekend, I dragged my friends out to this beautiful trail near the lake—honestly, the kind of place where the trees are so tall you feel tiny, and the air smells like pine needles and freedom. I was excited, thinking we’d all enjoy the fresh air and maybe spot a deer or two. But the whole time, my friends kept complaining about the bugs, the uneven path, and how their shoes were getting dirty. I even packed extra snacks and bug spray, but that didn’t help. By the end, they were begging to go back to the car, and I felt like I’d forced them into some kind of boot camp! I just don’t get it—what’s so bad about a little mud and some mosquito bites if you get to see a gorgeous sunset over the water? Am I missing something, or is it really that hard to enjoy the outdoors? Has anyone else tried to convert their city-loving friends and totally failed? Or maybe you’ve got a trick to make hiking less of a chore for people who’d rather be at a coffee shop? I’d love to hear your stories (and maybe vent a little together). #hikingtroubles #outdooradventures #friendshipstruggles #naturelovers #midlifemusings #Travel