Day 2,865

Growth:

It is so easy to learn vicariously through the actions of someone else. Today we saw two adults pretty much lose their mind over a dispute of a parking spot while we’re surrounded by mountains and natural beauty. While it was easy to stand back and realize how crazy they were being it really hit home when I asked myself, “when am I like that?” There are so many times when I’ve lost my cool when the best thing to do would have been to calm down, relax, and focus on what’s really important. As one of my favorite thought leaders recently said this…

I can confidently say that I have never once lost my temper and afterwards said, “I’m so glad I did that.”

Ryan Holiday

How true! This afternoon’s display was a reminder to me to pause, breathe, and choose my emotions and response rather than allow my emotions to be in control out of reflex.

Appreciation:

Our hikes today were mindbendingly amazing!!! From the moment we got out of our car my brain struggled to comprehend the enormity of what we were seeing in front of us. The walls of granite shot seemingly straight up above us and caused an almost vertigo sensation as I looked up. We later saw glaciers, waterfalls, glacial lakes, and pretty much everything in between. The hike up was pretty ridiculous, gaining 2,250′ in less than three miles. Throw in the random sounds of rockslides echoing through the valley – it was AWESOME!!!

Our second hike was along a valley in which the river seemed to cut the rock like a hot knife through butter for a hundred-ish feet. The rock formations were patterned and seemingly random at the same time while the colors of the rock shifted from chalk white to dark gray. Occasionally there were what appeared to be waterfalls coming right out of the rock and then draining into the river. So cool to take it all in.

The sights of today have been amazing as has the conversations we’ve had as a family. I’m so appreciative of our prioritizing family time like this, for hitting the pause button on much of life specifically to spend time together creating memories with each other.

Presence:

Becky woke me up a bit early this morning with a huge smile on her face. In a matter of seconds I was out of bed, standing at our window, and watching an elk only a short distance from our bungalow! There were elk wandering the entire property munching on grass as they slowly meandered across the open spaces. What a surreal moment, hanging out with elk all around us!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,864

Growth:

Nothing like the grandeur and majesty of mountains to quickly remind us of our place as humans. They’ve been here since long before us and they’ll still be towering over long after we’re gone. The sense of awe and humility when in the presence of mountains is medicine for the soul.

Appreciation:

Today was a relatively long trace day but it started out as almost all Mondays do – waking up before 4:45am and getting in a four mile run. Knowing we’d be sitting s lot today we decided to get done exercise in before travel. It felt great to get moving, it felt better when I was sitting to know I’d already gotten some exercise in, and I’m going to sleep so much better now as a result. So easy to sleep in, so much more rewarding to wake up and move.

Presence:

The sounds of the oohs, ahhs, and wows from the backseat were priceless!!! The ones from Becky and I in the front sweet were awesome too! So happy to be sharing one out favorite places with the boys, so many magical moments already, and we were just driving today…. Bring on the hiking!!!

Thanks!!!