The Desert Didn't Care About My Problems

I thought Big Bend's Lost Mines trail would be my Instagram moment. Five miles through Texas desert to prove I was outdoorsy now. The first mile felt like validation. Desert views, perfect lighting, phone out every few steps. Then the heat hit differently. My water felt inadequate. The trail markers seemed farther apart. By mile three, I wasn't taking photos anymore. Just walking. Breathing. Realizing the desert doesn't perform for you—it just exists, indifferent to your need for transformation or content. The overlook was beautiful, sure. But the real view was simpler: sometimes the best hikes are the ones where you forget to document them. Where you just show up, struggle quietly, and let the landscape teach you about your own small place in it. #Travel #DesertHiking #HikingTruth