This weekend Che and I hiked the Butterfield trail through Devil’s Den State Park and the Ozark National Forest. It was our first trip taking packs to carry enough gear to stop overnight and camp. The trip tested our endurance to be sure and taught me so many lessons.
Buy good equipment. Period. New technology is lighter and more efficient and way worth the cost
Don’t take more than you NEED! Leave the makeup at home. You’ll never miss it.
Beef Jerky, Almonds and Craisins are super yummy and give tons of energy (The Freeze Dried meals aren’t bad either)
I have a survivalist buried deep in my psyche. She had a blast proving how tough and wise she could be. She can’t wait to show off her new firewood splitting skills to the boys someday.
I also have a scared little girl buried too. Of course I already knew about her, but had to remind myself many times to take care of her and not push her too hard.
Che and I make a great team and I know without an inkling of a doubt he has my back, always. We have an amazing ability to divide and conquer and come back together again. Even through some crazy stressful moments, our love and respect for each other never faltered. We hinge so well together.
Finding the balance between using willpower to get through a rough patch of road and pushing too hard is difficult to find. Pacing and breaks are necessary, not luxuries.
Comfortable silence is one of the greatest gifts of love.
Dryer lint makes amazing fire tender. I will bring it with me on every hike now.
Clean mountain air and crisp cool spring water are gifts that I take for granted in the city.
Walking through trees is my favorite form of meditation right now. Steady steps and breath lead me along the path. The sounds of leaves crunching beneath my feet, drown out the racing thoughts. And thoughts of gratitude are light enough to rise to the surface.
The smell of burning cedar is intoxicating.
When you’re traveling five miles in the rain with mud caked to your boots, hands frozen like ice and a pack drilling into your shoulder and hips like a dull knife blade, cuss and laugh. They both help. But if you tell the fucking birds to shut up and stop being so chipper, they will only sing louder. Che tested that one out and it sent me into hysterics.
Respect and honor Mother Nature for the gift and terror that she is, for she is truly both.
Pause and take in the beauty that is around you. Even though we spent over 24 hours in the woods, I still wish I had done this more.
Gratitude is the way through…. It raises our mood, lifts our spirits and gives us energy to get through the current and future trials.
I am beyond grateful for this adventure….
For this beautiful park to explore
For the park rangers that created the trail that kept us safe in an inhospitable place
For the fellow hikers we met along the way
For the water in the creek bed
For the cedar trees that provided shelter and energy for our fire
For the rocks that provided boundary for our fire (I found myself chanting sweat lodge words.. thank you grandmother, grandfather as I placed them around the fire pit)
For warm food and hot tea on a chilly morning
For the rivers and roads that provided boundary for our wanderings
For the blue diamonds showing us the way (I even kissed one when we found it after getting off the path)
For Che – so many things I love and adore about you. You alone are a gift and I will do my best to never take you for granted. Thank you for walking along side me, for looking in my eyes when I was scared and telling me you loved me, for making shelter that kept us safe, for making me stop and rest, for leading us along the path and for making me laugh when we needed it most. I love you.
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