Off-trail rambling is primordial, a physical skill we have used for as long as we have been a species, and showing it off can still be immensely pleasing.
To move through the world like this as one desires, the mind has to recognize what is possible or impossible. It takes some effort to grasp how acutely the brain tracks the surfaces of the physical world, the literal hard constraints that limit what is possible. And there are loads of these surfaces. Imagine taking a walk through a majestic California redwood forest. What do you see? You might describe a few of the trees, the noise of the birds, unusual ferns, or a cloud in the sky. These verbal descriptions tend to revolve around the objects of the forest. Now close your eyes and continue your stroll. As you take a few more steps, other features of the world take hold: ...
