Day 3,583 (& Days 3,576 through 3,582)
Growth:
One of the parts of travel I appreciate the most is the opportunity to come back home which is the same as it was, but with the knowledge that you are different than you were beforehand. So much of what was “ordinary” takes on a very different and positive hue with the impact of the newfound perspective.
Appreciation:
Over the last few years we’ve kind of accidentally started a tradition of sharing photos as a family when someone(s) get back from vacation. This morning Gavin and I fired up pics from our backpacking trip for Becky, Dominic, & Caitlyn and shared some stories of our adventure. Whether it’s from a vacation each of us were in or not it always leads to fun time together as a family as we get to experience the excitement together and start coming up with some crazy future adventures!
Presence:
Catching back up with Becky today was wonderful, always great to get back into our normal rhythm! Specifically today it was sitting on the deck eating supper together, relaxing, unwinding, and re-connecting after being away for the week.
Thanks!!!
Day 3,576
Growth:
Reminders that we are all so much more than one specific slice of our being. Gavin threw a comment out about a person in the audiobook we were listening to that caused me to pause from the simple and hard hitting honesty.
“You know, outside of _______ (a huge flaw that was so bad in my opinion that I was really not liking the person), she sounds like a pretty awesome person.”
In an instant I realized how laser focused I was on one specific portion of her being and it was clouding my judgement beyond what it should have been. Great reminder from Gavin to step back and take in the entire person.
Appreciation:
We’ve only been gone two days and haven’t even started our backpacking trip and I’m seeing how much of an impact this trip will likely have on me. From beliefs to dreams to considering what’s most important I’m already seeing I needed this more than I thought. Having all this one on one time with Gavin has made it all the better in so many ways! Can’t wait to see where this goes!
Presence:
Those moments where music collides with reality are truly magic. Driving across Alberta today I saw a sign that caused me to jam on the brakes, make a quick detour, and shoot a picture of a sign. One of my favorite bands is The Rural Alberta Advantage, one of my favorites of theirs is Vulcan, AB. While driving in the middle of seemingly nowhere we saw a sign for Vulcan – so wild, I had no idea it was a real place!
Thanks!!!
Day 3,577
Growth:
Very grateful for so many opportunities to allow Gavin to grow and mature on this trip! From driving the campervan to biking back to packing his own gear and so many other ways, it’s been great seeing him grow into an awesome adult!
Appreciation:
So much one on one time with Gavin as we explored a spectacular area! The landscape is outstanding, the company even better. Many memories created together!
Presence:
While waiting for Gavin to drive back after dropping off the campervan I sat and chilled at a picnic table. I scanned the mountain side from my seat, busting out the binoculars for a better view. A cow elk and her two calves proceeded to entertain me for the next half hour or so! The cow kept eating and standing guard while the two calves bounced and played. Such an awesome time!
Thanks!!!
Day 3,578
Growth:
How I love time without cellphone coverage! One less potential distraction or set of distractions to cloud one’s mindset!
Appreciation:
How simple our lives could truly be if we so chose. We really don’t need much, we seem to have so much more than we need. Time backpacking really reminds me of this, our biggest concerns are the weather and drinking water. Joy can be derived from the most simple of things, like walking to the creek to get water. Time is spent actually present with each other, and time alone is spent in thought rather than in anticipation of distraction. It is so peaceful in its simplicity.
Presence:
As Gavin and I sat on a small single log bench playing a card game huddled under a tree because it was raining we watched a big squirrel creeping closer towards us while eating leaves. We sat mesmerized as we watched it inhale the leaves so quickly. Talk about a combination of things outside of the norm to create an awesome moment of presence.
Thanks!!!
Day 3,579
Growth:
As Doug Tompkins used to say, “it’s not an adventure until something goes wrong.” Nothing crazy wrong for Gavin and I, only almost nonstop rain for well over 24 hours. Throw in a temperature of upper 30’s this morning and it was a bit chilly! No worries, no complaints, we just packed up soaking wet, and headed out. We joked as we walked, had a great time, and realized we were creating new memories.
Life is easy when everything goes smoothly, the fun is in when things make life interesting.
Appreciation:
This bonus time with Gavin has been profoundly rewarding. Time to talk without the distraction of screens and other activities. Playing hours and hours of cards while sitting on wooden benches laughing together. Some semi-serious talk, but largely just enjoying each other’s company, sharing a sense of awe as we view the majesty around us. Time the two of us will remember forever. Priceless!
Presence:
Sitting on a mountain pass with Gavin, taking in the breathtaking view, watching clouds slowly drift and lift across the giant face of rock. Not a care in the world, only stillness in my soul. No clock, no phones, and no distraction, only presence.
Thanks!!!
Day 3,580
Growth:
“We’re not confined to the prisons of the civilized world…” -Gavin when I mentioned that I had to really think about what day of the week it was on the trail.
Appreciation:
What a trip this has been, and it’s not even over yet! What stuck out to me most today wasn’t the mind blowing scenery (which there was in spades), rather it was the time spent with Gavin one on one as we talked on the trail. Some big stuff, some little stuff, some funny stuff, some serious stuff. That one on one time will be woven into the fabric of my being the rest of my days.
Presence:
The father son moment when we hit the top of the pass, took in all the majesty around us, and Gavin gave me a hug and thanked me for our trip.
Thanks!!!
Day 3,581
Growth:
You win some, you lose some. While we’d always like to have perfect vacation weather we’re still going to have some rain days. Today we had that, but rather than being disappointed we see it as paying ahead for future better weather travel days. Perspective is everything!
Appreciation:
Today was another wonderful day with Gavin. Much conversation to kick off the day, then a marathon driving session while taking in an audiobook together. A perfectly chill way to start our travel home, our transition back to reality.
Presence:
Watching the same thunderhead for literally hundreds of miles on the open plains. Viewing the northern parts of Montana with its combinations of buttes, rock walls, and mountains. The joy of a roadtrip through previously inexperienced areas.
Thanks!!!
Day 3,582
Just got back home from our epic backpacking trip to the Canadian Rockies with Gavin! Cannot begin to share how thankful I am for this shared experience. As he and I have talked about the trip it is amazing to think of how much we saw and did over the past eight days. More pics And stories to follow for sure, but it’s time for bed. My heart is beyond full for having the opportunity to spend so much one on one time with Gavin as he’s about to kick off his senior year of high school.
Thanks!!!
Thankful for Forty 