View from Happy Lake Ridge. It's a panoramic that I took, so it is cut off a bit. just click on it and you should see the whole picture

I have been considering the time that I have spent hiking in the Olympics and why I do so. I have logged, as of my last trip back to WA in 2009, 6230 miles since I turned 18 years old. One of my academic interests is to study solitude. I do not know how to proceed with that, but I question why I enjoy solitude so much and wonder if others who I meet when I hike or when I was hanging out at Browns outdoor supply in downtown Port Angeles http://www.brownsoutdoor.com/ or Swains http://www.swainsinc.com/ experienced the same thing?
I think that solitude brings me an opportunity to explore my own mind and the mind of God. Paul talks about “being transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:2) and he also discusses the process of bringing yourself into subjection. (1st Cor. 9) This process I think helps us to “have the mind of Christ” (1st Cor. 2) or begin to learn to think like he thinks as we transform ourselves by following his example. Then of course Alma’s question: “have you received his image in your countenance? (Alma 5:14)”
I believe that my fondness for solitude serves as a catalyst for this process. I know that I cannot live my life in solitude. But I feel that these times of solitude serve to make me a better husband and father. I come back refreshed (and stinky) and I feel better for doing it. Is it too much though? I do not know where the threshold is. I know even the Savior sought solitude and used it often, so I know it is not all bad.
Well any how that is just on my mind and thought I would share.