Yeah but I read this article about how game length actually changes group dynamics. Short games are great for laughs, but longer ones let people settle in and build up these weird inside jokes. It's not about overthinking, it's about picking the right tool for the mood you want. Sometimes a quick game feels rushed and leaves everyone wanting more. Other times, a long game can drag if people aren't really into it. The trick is knowing your group.

Ever wonder why they build trails with all those turns anyway? I used to think it was just to make the hike longer, but seeing a spot like what simons12 described, that big pit where the ferns were, really flipped a switch for me. It's not about the trail crew being lazy, it's literally holding the ground together. Now I look at a switchback and just see a dirt wall that really doesn't want to be a landslide.