Tag: hiking

Thankful for Choosing Joy in Basic Tasks, My 17 Year Old Backpack, & Steppin’ Out in Pink

Day 4,003

Growth:

This morning started off with an early-ish mornign walk. There was a transition into the Steppin’ Out in Pink breast cancer walk for a cure. From there we got home and immediately went out to go shopping. Got back, cleaned the floors, cooked our suppers for our upcoming trip up to Canada, made supper for tonight, and then got a little down time at the end before typing this blog.

It’s been a very busy day, but a very productive one. While there was a lot of adulting throughout it was nice to get almost everything done today so tomorrow can largely be a day of rest (I’m definitely counting a morning hike tomorrow as rest).

I feel good knowing that almost everything I wanted to get done has been done, but I’m also intrigued by how calming it was to get into the routine, getting the things done that need to be done. Yes, it was work, but it was oddly relaxing and very rewarding. Again, my mind can’t help but consider how important it is to choose the right mindset. When doing something routine or basic we can either be frustrated or bored OR we can find the ways to appreciate it, we can choose to find joy in the task, regardless of how basic it may be. Today I chose joy.

Appreciation:

Over seventeen years ago, Becky and I bought matching The North Face Angstrom 30L packs while we were shopping for Dominic’s first kindergarten backpack.

Mine is still kicking, but just barely. A couple of zippers are busted. The hip-belt straps are torn. The waterproofing material has peeled away. There are more and more rips and tears. The lowest parts of the back cushion are worn down like a pair of overused running shoes.

And yet, this pack is still a beast.

It can still easily carry 30 pounds of metal plates when I ruck, and it remains my most trusted non-sentient travel companion.

Over the past seventeen years, this pack has been with me through thick and thin across the globe. It has gone north to Alaska and Iceland. It has spent time in the mountains of northern Italy. It has made a few trips to Belize and traveled to other tropical places including Grand Cayman, Turks and Caicos, and Mexico.

It was my only full pack for Hawaii, with Becky kindly carrying a few overflow items in her checked bag. This little dude has also been with me every time I’ve crossed into the Southern Hemisphere, including Australia, New Zealand, and Patagonia.

It has been all over the continental United States and Canada too, spending time in well over half the states and across the southern Canadian provinces from Ontario west.

This bag has been with me through it all.

Getting to the point where it is almost time to retire this dude is definitely bittersweet. This pack has been by my side for so long that I guess you could technically say it has always had my back. 😉

Thinking about retiring it brought back a flood of memories from all those past adventures. What an awesome thing to discover: a memory container disguised as gear.

Cheers to you, Angstrom 30L. You have been a trusted companion and part of so many memories. While it is almost time to retire you from active duty, I am sure we will still have plenty of adventures together in your new role.

Thanks for accompanying me through so many trials of miles and so many miles of trials.

Presence:

This morning we went to the annual Steppin’ Out in Pink walk for a cure for breast cancer in La Crosse. Over four thousand people were in attendance supporting each other and especially the breast cancer survivors who were in attendance. Between seeing the overwhelming support, the photos and reminders of those who’ve passed, and the determination of those who’ve beaten the disease my heart was broken, strengthened, hurt, lifted, and about every emotion possible. We had hardly walked into the park when the “Survivors Parade” passed by, I had tears before we even gotten to the start of the event.

All throughout my thoughts went to so many I know who’ve been impacted by breast cancer, both directly and indirectly.

Such a stirring event to say the very least!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Sharing Vacation Photos as a Family

Day 3,992

Super exhausted from a very full and busy day, going to be a short one tonight.

The first day back to work after vacation is always bonkers, sometimes more so than others. Today’s was largely full of busy in a good way, there was just a lot of everything going on all at once.

What I’m most grateful for is the time we had with Dominic and Caitlyn to celebrate Dominic’s birthday dinner. We all went out for some tasty Mexican food (Dominic wanted his first legal margarita) and we followed it up with time on the couch going through their recent vacation photos from Glacier NP and the Canadian Rockies.

Several parts of the experience really caught my attention:

  • The shared passion for some of our favorite places to travel. Seeing how excited they both were to see some of the places Becky and I love most was heart warming, so glad to see their love of both Glacier and the Canadian Rockies.
  • The nonstop smiles of excitement, awe, and wonder as Caitlyn experienced seeing those majestic sights for the first time. So wonderful seeing how much she was truly glowing in the experience, there’s a magic to witnessing the reaction of someone seeing those places for the first time. In so many ways it reminds us to look at the places through fresh eyes.
  • The reminders of how badly Becky and I need to head back out to those areas was palpable! Each scenic pic had me moving the next trip up there about a week or so in my mental calendar.
  • Their pictures were also such vivd reminders of the times Becky and I went out there together. In some cases their photos were in almost the exact same spots, so wild how t refreshed the memories of our travels!

Lastly – and most importantly – the bonus time as a family talking about some of the things we appreciate the most, sharing in each others’ experiences, reminding each other of what is most important, and doing so all together as a family. Some of my favorite moments in the world!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Hiking Thoughts, Shared Passions Leading to Increased Resilience, & Quiet Trails

Day 3,987

Growth:

While hiking today there were two thoughts my mind became a little fixated on.

Isn’t it interesting that when we walk on level and flat terrain it is so easy to daydream?  We can almost coast and let muscle memory do the work while we allow our brains to drift off.  As soon as there are roots and rocks and water and sudden drops and cliffs we become hyper focused, fully attentive to our surroundings.

How much of my life has been lived the same way?  When times of ease and simplicity abound it becomes so easy to drift with the surroundings and lose focus.  When difficult times are faced I can’t help but hyper focus.  Where is the proper balance?  How best should I maintain it?  What’s the right way to keep the intentionality and presence high?

The second thought is this – the flow of time in the outdoors is different.  Each moment feels longer and more drawn out as I take in the details of the woods.  Each hour seems to quickly disappear, three hours pass me by and yet I feel I’ve only been gone for thirty minutes.

The paradox of time in hiking in nature, the moments are so long, the hours are so short.

Appreciation:

I’m very grateful for the shared passion for travel Becky and I have.  The travel itself doesn’t need to be crazy or ridiculous, it can be near or far.  The trip could be as short as a day and as long as a month, the act of traveling has brought about so many perspectives for me that I likely never would have known.  In sharing this passion we both are able to grow while also continuing to grow together.

A quote I read on this current trip caught my attention and has been resonating through my mind.  “The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes,” Marcel Proust.  The act of getting outside my normal life, outside of the way I always look at the same small corner of the world I inhabit allows me the opportunity to see all of it so differently.  My perspectives are changed, my lens cleaned, and my preconceived ideas are tectonically shifted.

As a case in point, this trip has really focused my mind on the Civil War, the reasons behind it, the tragic loss of life as a result, the power of ego and the power of feeling “justified.”  Learning about how Shenandoah National Park decided to open a segregated section for people of color only to have whites complain that they were not being treated as well before the park finally desegregated in 1960.  

My heart breaks when I consider that only 150 years ago many people thought it was okay and their God given right to OWN other humans and that only 65 years ago the park was desegregated.  How was anyone ever capable of deluding themselves into thinking so highly of themselves and showing so little dignity and respect for others?  

This trip has brought so much of these thoughts closer to the surface and cause me to see the world differently, hopefully enough to keep my sense of hurt raw enough to use it for good cause, to help everyone show more love for their fellow humans. 

Had I travelled to these places alone I would still likely have been moved, having travelled them with Becky helps me preserve and hold onto all I’ve experienced, helps me keep my new eyes fresh.

Presence:

Our hike this morning was an ongoing moment of presence.  We started hiking towards Dark Hollow Falls and Rose Falls around 8am and were the only vehicle in the entire parking lot.  From the point we started descending until only moments from reaching our destination miles later we were completely alone in the woods.  

We experienced Dark Hollow Falls completely alone, no one else nearby.  The opportunity to pause, take in the majesty, breathe, enjoy quiet time soaking it all up, and observing it from various angles without any distractions or noise was exceptional.  

By the time we reached Rose Falls we’d encountered three other hikers coming from a different direction, and we had these falls all to ourselves as well.  Sitting and standing on the rock wall watching the water rush over, I couldn’t even guess how long we were there – maybe 5 minutes, maybe 15 minutes.  We just sat quietly and enjoyed the stillness of being in front of something that was here long before us and that will continue to be here long after us.  All alone, savoring the stillness.  

It wasn’t until we were within a mile of the end of the trail that we started encountering people again. First one, then a small family, then a handful of groups, and then a seemingly endless procession of people heading down as we got closer to the parking lot.

All those moments alone in the quiet stillness of that sacred place, wandering heaven on Earth.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for the Campervan as a Reminder of Risk Taking, the Ability to Hike, & Relaxing on a Rock on the Ridge

Day 3,985

Growth:

A few years ago Becky and I decided to put “getting a camper van” into our goals for a title ways out as a present to ourselves for raising both of the boys to adulthood.  The goal was to be measured by dropping Gavin off at college, meaning that he was supposed to be able to adult himself if needed.  About a year in we realized that the cards were lining up a little too well and we should pull the trigger sooner than later.  In the way that life often does, we realized a couple of years after buying it that the timing couldn’t have been better – finances were exactly where they needed to be, there was no worry about job security, and the market had offered up some incredible deals due to the overproduction of campervans during and following COVID.  Had we waited a year we likely would have passed on the entire endeavor, probably waiting until “the timing was right.”

What got me thinking today is how glad I am to have bought it when we did.  Now knowing how the past couple of years have worked out we definitely could have bought it when we did had we known the future, but we likely would have been way to scared to actually pull the trigger, constantly thinking “but what if…”

How often in life do I hesitate out of an overabundance of caution when I should be moving forward?  How often do I skip taking the risk that really could have made all the difference?  When should I take the leap and trust that it will all work out and be okay?  Just last night didn’t I blog about Dad’s confidence in his ability to figure things out – whether on his own or with the help of others?  Where is that gusto in me?  Why do I hesitate?

One more reason for me to be grateful for the campervan – it is an ongoing reminder to take the leap, take the educated risk.  It will all work out, and even if it doesn’t… I’ll figure out a way to make it all work out.

Appreciation:

Once Becky and I got to Shenandoah NP today we decided to do exactly what we both love to do.  We found a couple of trails on the way to our campsite, put on our hiking shoes, and hiked our way to some spectacular sights top the ridge.  

There was no question of our physical ability, we just decided where to go and did it. There was no pausing to consider if it was too far, too steep, or anything like that, we just hit the trail.  Even as we went up the decent elevation increase my heart rate only sped up a little, never going into the yellow zone or beyond, staying nice and chill.  My breathing stayed pretty regular, largely through my nose, only increasing a little on some of the steeper sections.  For sure – I am not bragging up my physical abilities, there are many who put me to shame.  The reason I bring this up is that it is so freeing and liberating to know that as I approach 50 I don’t have to stress whether or not my body can handle what I want to do.

What I’m most grateful for today are the regular habits that keep me ready and able to do what I want to do like this.  My hiking.  Our three runs each week.  Our one (hopefully soon to be two) nights of yoga to build balance and stability.  The way we often get out for a hike or a walk after a large meal like we did this evening.  It would be so easy to skip each of these things and just veg out on the couch or stare at a screen.  By doing these small actions I’m able to do the big things I want to do.  In doing these small actions I find so much more joy and reward from doing the work, from putting in the reps.  There is so much more purpose in there, I often find I enjoy the reps as much of almost more than the hiking itself!

Cheers to the small sacrifices, the simple habits, and all of the things that allow me to live into my best life on the trails!

Presence:

Sitting atop a rock in the sun in Shenandoah.  Taking in the sweeping vistas across the valley from an overlook on the hill.  Quiet calm, no distractions.  Savoring the feel of the cool breeze blowing across my face and arms.  Relaxing and sharing a smile with Becky as we just sit and exist together on the rocks.  Stillness and calm.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for a Perfect Weekend Day

Day 3,632 (Crazy to think that it will be a DECADE of daily blogging in only 22 days!)

There is so much to unpack from today, but it is all pretty simple in the overall concept… This was pretty much the perfect weekend day. So much happening, so many moments of presence, reminders of appreciation throughout, lots of personal connection, and so many nuggets of learning mixed in.

Maybe the best way to run this one out is to go with a list kind of day. Additionally, this format provides me an opportunity to walk back through the day in a little more full detail and enjoy it all a second time 😉

  • The morning started off with a mug full of some amazing coffee. Scratch that, it started off with the aroma of freshly ground, freshly brewed coffee while I laid in bed as Becky had gotten up before me and worked her magic.
  • Breakfast was a couple of slices of cold pizza leftover from last night – glorious!
  • To kick off the morning Becky found a hysterical video which caused me to laugh so hard I had tears in my eyes. Short and sweet, but nice starting the day with a good belly laugh like that!
  • Becky and I packed up for hiking and a trip to Eau Claire to watch Dominic’s rugby scrimmage. As we got rolling she recommended we fire up a podcast she had recently listened to. The Ologies podcast has been one of her recent go to’s and this episode was focused specifically on the science of happiness. Here were some of the key takeaways and moments of a-ha’s!
    • The concept of “Time Affluence,” the sense of having enough time, is a critical component of happiness. This really hit home with how I feel amazing on days like today (very limited structure) and I feel almost claustrophobic on days when I am planning out my next few weeks.
    • Choosing to view ourselves Objectively rather than Relatively. Consider the studies of happiness levels of someone who won the silver medal versus the bronze medal. The bronze medalist is almost always smiling much bigger than the silver medalist who often looks sad and disappointed. Consider that we are really good at something or that we really enjoyed something, don’t compare it to what others do or what they have. Look internally for happiness.
    • Are we happy both “in our life” and “with our life”? Are we happy in the moment of what we are doing in life? Are we happy with where our life is going towards a purpose? Both are important and and not always related (and sometimes can almost be at odds with each other).
    • Awareness, awareness, awareness! Step outside of ourselves and observe how we are reacting to something, consider why we are reacting that way. Don’t observe with the intent of changing or correcting, rather, observe to understand more fully. We can’t fix what we are not aware of.
    • I’d 100% recommend this podcast to anyone looking to add a little extra joy to their lives (that should be all of us, right?). Check out the episode we listened to here: https://www.alieward.com/ologies/eudemonologyencore
  • The conversations Becky and I got into while listening to the podcast and after the podcast were engaging and insightful. So appreciative to be in love with a fellow lifelong learner!
  • Our hike in Perot was soooooo chill! The weather was perfect, the trails were quiet, so much to observe and take in all around us. Everything was so green it was awesome! The feel of hiking on a fall day is something I will never tire of. Hiking with Becky and joking, talking, and walking in silence, all exactly what I needed.
  • While on the hike I was reminded of an adventure Steve and I went on kayaking on the Black River a while back, it may have spurred on ideas to attempt it again.
  • Dominic’s rugby scrimmage was so much fun to watch! He was one of the starters and got quite a few opportunities to impact the game on both offense and defense. So much fun watching him do something he loves.
  • During the game I was able to make a quick sprint and caught a ball way out of bounds. I know, super cheesy, but it was so much fun to enjoy the fleeting moment of feeling like I was almost in the game, almost a kid again. Super minor, but such a blast regardless!
  • A handful of Dominic’s friends from high school came to the match to cheer him on. They hung out with Becky and I throughout the game and we shot the bull the entire time. so much fun seeing the kids we used to see often grow into the men they have become. I swear each age of our son’s and their friends has somehow continued to be better than the year before.
  • Our ride back was so chill, the dog was absolutely toast from all the hiking and excitement. We stopped by the apple orchard, grabbed some apples, ciders, and maybe a caramel apple pie or two. So nice being outside and having a little mini date with the two of us. Fresh apples off the tree… so deelish!
  • At the grocery store we saw a mom with two small kids which brought back fond memories for us as well as a little laugh as we saw reminders of the happiness podcast concepts in her expression.
  • Gavin was home from his volunteer work and was in an awesomely talkative mood. We shot the bull for a while and then the and I continued the conversation at Dick’s as we picked up a knee brace for him. We may have also had some bonus fun dreaming up a home gym and pricing it out while we were there. Great one on one time with him, nice to have such fun conversation with him.
  • I got a little bonus time to make a quick fix on the grill as it warmed up. Nothing crazy or difficult, but just enough to feel like I got to problem solve, work with my hands, and be productive. A nice little chill moment.
  • There were a couple of awesome brother moments that don’t need detail. Long story short, I was reminded of one of the many reasons I love my brother and how grateful I am for the relationship my sons have with each other.
  • Grilling brats, drinking a hard cider, joking with the family. Throw in eating out of my grandma’s old stainless steel bowls from the 1950’s and it was a wonderful dinner outside on the deck!
  • Game night was fun (even though Gavin destroyed Becky and I in both Catan and Skipbo), another evening spent around the kitchen table, one of my favorite places in the world. The addition of caramel apple pie with vanilla caramel ice cream was a banger!
  • As we wrapped up the night Gavin and I fired up a movie. Sitting on the couch and taking it in we were both making comments on what we appreciated about it. I also look forward to knowing we’ll bring it up in conversation on again off again for the better part of a week or two, reminding us of that time together. Nice and chill to wrap things up.
  • Typing this blog has only increased the size of my smile today! Crazy to see all that happened appear as words on my screen. Each memory has brought back a smile and jogged my memory on other things I was grateful for. This daily thought practice has been proven over and over again over the past ten years to help me sleep with a focus on good stuff in life so much more than the frustrating.

Whew!!! What a day!!! Seriously, so many moments of joy throughout the day. I grew. I appreciated. I was present. Throw all of those together with the connections with those I love and it was pretty epic. To all who played a part in my today, thank you!!!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Appearing Clueless, a Still Morning Hike, & a Shared Site

Day 3,509

Growth:

This little gem from Epictetus really hit me between the eyes today. Throughout the day my mind kept pulling back to this concept, it filtered my seemingly every one of my thoughts differently.

“If you wish to improve be content to appear clueless or stupid in extraneous matters.”

Epictetus

What really matters? The little bit of news that doesn’t make a true difference? The highlights of last night’s sporting events? The reels on Instagram? That stat about something that you don’t always need?

Focus on what truly matters… our purpose, our values, our actions, and this present moment.

Appreciation:

This morning I took Leia out for a very early morning hike, hitting the trails before 4:45am. As the world slept we wandered the woods and the bluff top ridges. We watched a barge slowly slide up the river in the dark as the birds began to sing. Dropping in the valley we had the sensation of being watched so I fired up my flashlight and there was a group of five deer jurors looking down at us from the hilltop, judging our intentions and actions. Leia jumped in terror at the most horrifying sound it seemed she had ever heard… the gobble of a turkey from across a valley. So many birds were talking to us, singing us their morning songs. The sky slowly glowed brighter and brighter. The smell of pollen and woods and fresh soil saturated my nose as my breathing increased going up hills with my pack on. All around us was a paradox of both total stillness and complete action.

What an invigorating start to the day!

Presence:

On my drive to work I had an awesome experience. As I drove past the pullout to view Brady’s Bluff in Perot State Park I saw a car pulled over. The driver was standing with his hands on his hips, looking at the bluffs glowing in the bright morning sun, a complete look of awe on his face as he took in the wondrous site across the Mississippi River.

I couldn’t help but smile and feel joy at seeing his state of awe and wonder, taking in the same view which has left me the same way so many times before.

I don’t know his beliefs, his politics, his history, his career, his class, or anything about him – but I know he is my brother as all humankind are, and that only added to my sense of joy.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for The Only Thing We Control, an Awesome Day, & Snowshoeing on a Saturday

Day 3,428

Growth:

Today has been a powerful reminder of why I write each day. It’s a practice of reflection—an opportunity to process my experiences, thoughts, and emotions, helping me bridge the gap between who I am and who I strive to be.

When someone lets us down or disappoints us, we have a choice in how we respond. I often find myself oscillating between anger, frustration, apathy, and sadness. But the interesting thing is this: my reaction is entirely up to me.

If we strip away our initial emotions, most disappointments come down to a simple fact—someone took an action they believed was right. Few people intentionally choose to do the wrong thing. The action itself is neutral; it’s neither good nor bad until we assign meaning to it.

Let that sink in for a moment. The action itself is neutral. We are the ones who apply context, emotion, and judgment. And in doing so, we determine our response. Yes, their action may be the opposite of what we wanted or expected, but our reaction? That’s entirely ours to own.

Anthony de Mello captures this truth beautifully in Awareness:

“I have no right to make any demands of you.

I have no right to make any demands of you. Oh, I’ll protect myself from the consequences of your actions or moods or whatever, but you can go right ahead be what you choose to be.

I have no right to make any demands of you.”

Anthony de Mello

At the end of the day, the only thing we truly control is our response. People will act in ways we disagree with. They will frustrate us. They will disappoint us. But they are free to do so. Their actions only gain meaning when we apply it.

Marcus Aurelius offers another timeless insight:

“Choose not to be harmed—and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed—and you haven’t been.”

The choice is mine. Someone else may take an action I dislike, but it’s up to me whether I let it disrupt my peace. I can let it roll off. I can take steps to prevent it from happening again. I can move forward. Or, I can choose frustration and dwell in emotions that serve no purpose.

I choose to move forward.

Why waste time and energy longing for a different outcome when I never had control over it in the first place? Instead, I’ll choose focus. I’ll choose resilience. I’ll choose to protect my energy and not let frustration steal moments I can never get back.

Time is finite. Breath is precious. I won’t waste them in frustration.

Appreciation:

One of the reasons I enjoy blogging is the ability to reflect upon the entirety of the day rather than dwelling on just one or two specific incidents. As I started typing this section I paused and ran through the day from start to end and I couldn’t help but smile at so many positives and moments I am grateful for today!

  • Waking up to the aroma of coffee, a delicious coffee Becky picked up in her recent yoga retreat.
  • Seeing a text come across my phone early in the morning saying, “Pulled a Kreiling and went hiking before the sun was up this morning, just me and the dog!”
  • Stepping on the scale and seeing more progress than expected.
  • Shoveling snow with Becky while listening to great music, getting lost in the fresh air, movement, and tunes.
  • Growing through a challenging situation.
  • Getting to the grocery store on a Saturday only to find it relatively empty.
  • Sticking to my guns with my weekly goals and preventing temptation.
  • Seeing a video of Gavin setting his new bench press PR and hearing about how much fun he had with his teammates.
  • Hearing about Dominic’s rugby scrimmage and hearing the excitement in his texts.
  • So much outside time snowshoeing with Becky! More on that below.
  • Making progress on my checklist for the weekend and prepping my meals for next week.
  • Trading awesome texts with good friends.
  • Playing cards with Becky and Gavin after dinner, laughing, and joking, enjoying our time together.
  • Taking way more time than expected writing this blog, reflecting on the day, learning and growing.

All in all, it’s been a pretty awesome day, one made better as a result of taking time to type my blog.

Presence:

There was enough snow for snowshoeing today and we took full advantage of it! We headed out to Great River Bluffs State Park and spent time snowshoeing through fresh and untrodden snow. The fresh air, the untouched snow, and the un-hiked trails all led to an incredibly invigorating experience. Such a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Planning to Achieve Dreams, Planning Another Epic Backpacking Trip, & Planting Dream Seedlings

Day 3,409

Growth:

If we want to live out our dreams we have to first dream them and then plan for them. Dream them, write them down, plan for them, and then make them happen. Today was a reminder to pause and plan in order to make things happen.

Appreciation:

Another dream / bucket list item is in the hopper and ready to go this year! Last year Dominic and I hiked in Patagonia. Becky and I hiked across the Grand Canyon in October. Gavin and I just got our permits to hike the Rockwall Trail in Kootenay National Park in Canada this summer! Another hiking dream to be knocked off this year, soooo pumped!!!

photo from https://happiestoutdoors.ca/rockwall-trail-guide/

Presence:

While I was focused on setting up our backpacking permits this morning I switched gears completely on my drive to work and back. Another subset of big dreams I have involve the ocean. In order to keep stoking those flames I’ve gone back to a favorite book of mine, Deep by James Nestor. Getting lost in the stories and science of the ocean was a wonderful balance to all of the mountain focus of the morning!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Using Tech Correctly, the Deck I Built with Dad, & Hiking (again)

Day 3,346

Growth:

Technology can really help us build connections when used correctly. Today we were able to FaceTime with each of the boys, yesterday we did the same with all four of us at the same time, even though we’re in different states and continents currently! Gavin was able to share pictures and jokes via our favorite social media messenger app. Throughout the day Dominic, Gavin, and I shared music we each enjoyed. Gavin sent all of us pics of all the sights he has seen in Germany. Becky and I used technology the right way for us while hiking, we shut it off completely and enjoyed conversation without electronics. When used the right way (and turned off often), what a gift technology is!

Appreciation:

This afternoon I was removing some old boards form our deck. It was build by Dad and I about twenty years ago and one of my projects for next year is to build a new deck. As I started taking it apart this afternoon I couldn’t help but think back often to the time I spent with Dad building it in the first place. I initially felt a little sad about taking apart something we’d built together, but I quickly realized that what we built together many years ago was not what I was taking apart now. This was only the deck, old beaten up and weathered boards. What we’d built back then were poignant memories of working together, of enjoying each other’s company, and of spending time with each other. The boards may be removed, but the memories not be erased.

So many moments of learning to work together as we built that deck! We learned about how much wood we could actually load into his pickup. We then found out that there was a weird policy at the store we bought it from and one of us had to stay with half the load while the other delivered the first load, unloaded it at the house, and then drove back. I personally learned why it is not a good idea to pull out too rapidly with a truck bed full of decking materials. Dad learned how much he would have appreciated having a cell phone to figure out what was taking me so long to come back for the second load as I was re-loading the lumber into the truck from off the pavement in a somewhat busy road. As you can imagine, as we traded stories afterwards we laughed and laughed! What wonderful memories the entire project was!

The things we build with our hands will eventually age and turn into dust and ash. The time we spend with loved ones making memories will burn in our souls forever.

Presence:

I kind of feel like this is becoming a bit of a broken record, but getting outside and hiking the trails with Becky to start off the day is pretty epic! Nothing quite like the fresh air and exercise while enjoying the views from the bluffs. Certainly my happy place, the trails. A couple of specific moments really stuck out. Standing atop Miller’s Bluff and taking in the view of the city below and river, woods, and bluff surrounding. Catching a spectacular fall scent form the leaves, almost a spicy old cigar box kind of smell (you gotta trust me, it is a wonderful aroma!). Throw in focused time with Becky and I talking as we hike and I couldn’t ask for much more than that!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Time on the Trail, Passing the Test, & In Tune with My Body After a Long Hike

Day 3,206

Growth:

Even a day after the time spent in the woods on my hike I can still feel the calm and stillness of my experience on the trail. Throughout the days I was transported back to footsteps on the trail, memories of a song I heard and exactly where I was when I listened to it on the trail, and the sights all around me.

The time spent hiking on a trail isn’t just for that moment, it sustains the soul for eternity.

Appreciation:

Our brains are really interesting things. After completing my 50k hike yesterday my perspective of myself felt very much improved today. I felt more successful. I felt as if I was an inch taller, 20 pounds lighter, and had reduced my body fat by four percentage points. I was more confident and happy with myself, my drive, and my grit. Everything felt better.

In reality – almost literally nothing had changed other than taking more steps than normal. I really hadn’t changed much at all. There were likely no measurable differences from yesterday morning before the hike to this morning other than some stiffness and soreness and maybe a little weight loss due to dehydration. Mentally though, everything had changed.

I now KNOW that I can hike 50km (31.07 miles) in one go rather than guessing. I now KNOW that I can grit through the pain and suffering of hiking a crazy long distance in a heat index of a degree below one hundred. I now KNOW that I can keep finding more and more ways to drive a wedge between what my mind thinks is possible and what my body is actually capable of.

Yesterday I tested myself. I passed. That fact has made all the difference today.

Presence:

I’ve been very in tune with my body today. After the beating I gave it yesterday I was very nervous about getting out of bed this morning, and rightfully so. My first few steps were brutal, my feet felt like they’d been broken. My muscles were all stiff and my joints were taking some time to loosen up too. In taking those first few steps I was surprised at how I noticed each and every muscle group involved in hiking!

Throughout the day everything started to knock the rust out. I caught myself taking steps without soreness in my feet. My legs started moving fluidly. The short walk we took Leia on really felt wonderful. By the end of the day I’d spent a lot of time on my feet and had helped Dominic and the Scouts plant a bunch of trees – AND – I was feeling great!

All day long I’ve been very cognizant of the sensations of my body, so much more intentional focus on what I am feeling and where specifically. What a gift to be so much more present today!

Thanks!!!