Nicely written Chuck, it sounds like you are a man very similar to me in the way you achieve your solitude / wilderness. I'm usually the first person awake in my house and my morning routine starts with me drinking coffee (but usually in front of my computer) and I usually get about an hour of peace and quiet in before I interact with anyone face to face...oh the coffee maker just finished, gonna go grab a cup now!

Ahhhh that's the stuff. Nothing like that first sip and cup full of coffee to jumpstart the brain and warm the body.

That's my daily escape. But every so often I love going off into the woods on a long hike by myself. I've chosen times before (like Black Friday in late November when I know I'll have the trail to myself mostly) when I've done a 12 mile hike in rain and snow and not seen a single other person and it rejuvenates me like few things in this life ever do. It makes me feel truly alive being in that special place mentally and physically.

I'm not big into astrology but I will say by birth sign I'm a Sagittarius (the hunter) and those born under that sign are generally fond of solitude / freedom and the outdoors and dislike being constrained by anything, so it seems I fit that profile pretty well.

I haven't gone on a lone hike in awhile...my wife usually comes with and it's great to have her along but sometimes I like just being by myself, which she cannot comprehend but she now understands that I have a need for that and if it goes unfulfilled I tend to turn into a not so nice person to be around. She and my step son are both Leos and are always in need of attention which creates a bit of an interesting dynamic within our household. Maybe there is something to this astrology stuff. Idk.

I just know I love the few chances I have to be alone with my thoughts and myself....in whatever physical location that may be.