Nature Vibes & Gratitude Highs!

Hike O’Clock.

Nature lovers have one thing in common: they're ridiculously happy people. Don’t take my word for it  just go outside and try it. Boom! You're smiling already.

It’s hike o’clock, and we’re doing it with full-on gratitude!

I woke up with my spirit levitating  probably because I did a brain dump last night on a “shit” of paper (whoops! I meant sheet, but you get the picture). That’s my go-to therapy when thoughts are running riots in my head like kids at a candy store.

Guess who was my alarm this morning? Moori — her royal feline highness! I cleaned up, thanks to AEDC’s temporary kindness. My battery was on low 🪫, and I had to manage every single resource  from water to lamp. Trust me, if Nigeria doesn’t make you a resource manager, nothing else will. 😂

After saying my prayers, meditating, and cuddling with Moori, I fed her, watered my plants, got dressed, and boom  hike mode activated!

The Journey Begins 🚶🏾‍♀️

Left the house by 6:30 a.m. to meet up with the crew at City Park. On my way, a sweet friend called to ask if I’d left home already — they wanted to give me a lift! I was touched. That kind of kindness still surprises me (my village people didn’t see that one coming either 😅).

Got to Banex by 6:47 a.m. and decided to know the actual distance to City Park  walked it in 15 minutes: 1.3 km! Talk about legwork. Met sweet familiar faces like Sir Jossie (the founder), Peruzzi, Oga Musa, Anthony, Bosslady, Coach Francis, and some new lovely ones. Everyone was busy prepping flags and gear for the hike.

Mr. Solomon, Emmirine, and Miss Vivian (my hiking bestie) arrived shortly after. We waited for the professional latecomers  cough Alice cough  hugged and bantered, then finally headed to Lugbe by 8:00 a.m. We couldn’t leave anyone behind, obviously. Team spirit things. ✨

Convoy Wahala + Nature Overload 🌿🚗

Second stop was Lugbe Shoprite. When we arrived, the convoy had already started moving  but paused for us (talk about VVIP entry 😎). Guys, you needed to see our hiking squad. Close to 500 people came out for nature  omo! Nature lovers full road!

We even caught the attention of another convoy  who stared like, “Wait, where una dey go like this?” Our crew? We roll deep.

Somewhere along the way, a few hikers missed the turn  traffic palava  but Super Peruzzi, on a power bike like Mission Impossible, zoomed back to redirect them. MVP things.

Aco Mountain, We Have Arrived ⛰️

Reached Aco Mountain by 9:00 a.m. Greeted Mountain Goat and OBO, had quick catch-up gist with Eddy Banga (who shocked us all by showing up after feeling ill). I teased him  “Welcome to the Come-Sweat-It-Out Club. Mountain therapy never fails!” and miss Mary who back from school for a short holiday. 

Met Aunt Rahma (side hug secured), got my warm therapeutic hug from Ms. Claudia, greeted the elder who’s still outrunning Gen Z hikers, and spotted Boyante (who didn’t tease me today  wow, progress!).

Let’s Hike! 🥾🔥

Shoes tied, water bottles clutched  and off we went. 10 minutes in, people were sweating like Sallah goats and breathing fire. Someone yelled, “No rest for the wicked!” Another replied, “So we’re the wicked ones now?” 😭😂

We hit the first resting point. Moans and groans everywhere: “My legs!” “Why did I sign up for this?!” Meanwhile, Miss Chineye and Mountain Goat were climbing like mountain royalties.

“You dey put hand for waist?”

“Rest small na.”

“Drink water abeg.”

We bantered with tired joy.

someone brought up the Swan Natural Water Walk Challenge. People were cracking jokes like, “Some folks must be walking in their dreams  because how are you hitting 30,000 steps?” 😂 One guy even said, “I think they don't sleep again, na walk dem dey use do night vigil.” We laughed so hard.

Rested for 15 minutes. Some opted out. No shame in that game nature gives, and nature humbles.

Summit Joys & Salat Duha 🌤️🙏

Made it to the summit in under 10 minutes. Lungs opened, breeze blowing, and the view? Chef’s kiss. Sat with Blazier for two minutes just breathing in gratitude. Another hiker joined us, and then I went looking for Alice to find a quiet corner to pray Salat Duha. That moment? Pure peace.

Oh, and guess who showed up again? Trip A our almost full-time hiker now. The mountain’s calling, and he's answering.

Push-ups, Vibes & Vendor Delights 💪🍢

Chatted with a hiker about relationships, respect, and how your significant other can either break or uplift you (choose wisely, fam).

 Some men challenged each other to push-ups  others spectated and cheered. Then it was time for aerobics with Wealth, our celebrity trainer.

Oh, and let me not skip this iconic moment Cool Francis, Wealth, and MJ suddenly decided to defy gravity for the gram 😄. Next thing you know, they were flying mid-air for a photo pose like Marvel superheroes on hiking sabbatical. I don’t know how many takes it took, but the "we believe we can fly" energy was strong. If you ever need motivation to hike, just know Naija Adventure hikes come with free acrobatics 😎.

Vendors came through:

Zeebee’s smoothies

Monic’s pepper goat meat

Moi-moi

Small chops

Even sunglasses! 😎

Met Miss Faith (always smiling) and her friend. Hugs, vibes, and more hugs!

Some came with their cameras to capture the magic, some created content that’ll soon flood Instagram, and guess what? Boyante? He brought a book! Yes oh  man sat on the mountaintop like a modern-day monk, reading as if he wasn’t sweating like the rest of us earlier 😄.

Not everything went perfectly, though. A hiker twisted her ankle on the way up  but shoutout to our top-notch Naija Adventure squad. The first aid team swooped in like pros, treated her with care, and made sure she got down safely.

 When I say we roll deep, I mean it. We’ve got first aid, security, media, and good vibes on lock. More strength to all of you holding it down behind the scenes 🙌.

And let me not forget Miss Chineye  your kind heart deserves a billboard. My phone was down, and she graciously let me use hers to record some precious moments. God bless your good heart, girl. The world needs more people like you.

Gratitude Conversations & Downhill Thrills 💬🪂

Talked to Boyante, Mr. Hassan, Miss Vivian, Miss Faith, and of course, our energetic Mountain Goat about their gratitude and what hiking means to them. Met a shy first-timer who dodged my camera like a ninja. Respect. Miss Hassana shared her tigernut drink  thanks, queen! 🙌

Descending was another adventure tricky, fun, and required James Bond-level precision. Helped a lady down, and Miss Alice sold chilled water  sold out like a rockstar!

Said my goodbyes to Banga, Blazier, and others. Got a ride from my friend to my junction  sweet relief!

Mary dey flag gal

Gratitude Corner ❤️

My heart is full.

1.  I feel a sense of peace in my heart. I am grateful for the Almighty’s gifts mountains that let us escape the noise of urban life. I appreciate the friends who brighten my days, especially those who respect and cherish our friendship.

2.  I am grateful for the strength to keep moving, regardless of life’s challenges. Today’s lesson? Keep moving, no matter how hard it feels. The summit always makes the climb worth it.

3.  Hiking, for me, is more than just a workout it's therapy. The mountain listens without judgment, and the breeze carries away your worries. I get to reset, recharge, and find new perspectives each time.

Got home to Moori, who pounced on me like I went to war and won. She hadn’t eaten, so I fed her, had a bowl of fruit salad, rationed my remaining water like a survival show contestant, took a much-needed shower, and passed out on my bed  until Bas (who came to the meet-up but didn’t hike) decided to disturb my beauty sleep. Forgiven… for now. 😏

New Trail Alert! 🥳

Next weekend? We’re heading to Aso Rock and the Sisters Mountain. Don’t dull  lace up your boots and join us. Nature is calling, and this time, it might just be your turn to sweat, laugh, and hike your way into a grateful heart. 💚

Photo credit goes to our amazing Mr Solomon ❤️ more strength and creativity to you sir.

P.s; Follow my ig @smilinghabeeba for interview of hikers experience gist and convoy videos.