Throwing off the Bowlines

  I recently mentioned in my post “Rooting” the importance of growing outside your comfort zone and doing new things or things you may have done before or not done for awhile. The importance of branching out.  For me, part of that has involved hiking.

You know what’s even better than spreading your wings a little bit? Surprising people. While you may not look at me and say, “oh yeah – that girl… she likes to hike!”, you should know if I am going to do something I am going to do it and do it well. I’m going to give it my all. Someone once told me I’m the type to “go big or go home.” So, when I start trying to get a group of people who have been hiking a lot more than me to crawl over some boulders with bolted in cables to get to an overhang 2,000 feet above the ground I know I’m doing something right.

The title of this post comes from my favorite quote of all time. I have it posted up at my house, I have quoted it in speeches… it’s the reminder some of us constantly need.

   “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you   didn’t do than by the ones you did do. 

So throw off the bowlines. 

Sail away from the safe harbor. 

Catch the trade winds in your sails. 

Explore. 

Dream. 

Discover.” – Mark Twain

Starr Mountain

My first visit to Starr Mountain was more than 5 years ago and truly deserves its own story so I won’t go into it at this present time. Five years and a lot of life later, I was ready to go back and have a fresh start. And, get my feet wet for some more hiking adventures!

The afternoon my friends and I went was absolutely perfect. The sun was shining, there was a slight breeze and no humidity (praise the Saints).

It had been a long time, but my body quickly remembered why my first experience had been so, ahem, memorable. But, this time was different. Sometimes all you need is a little space, a fresh perspective, and a new attitude to try something again and maybe this time around… it just seems right.

One of the people in our group brought their dog (Grace Kelly would have walked herself off a cliff so I didn’t bring her) so that was even more fun to watch her scamper along and splash around in the water that led up to the mountain. Dogs and children – they appreciate the simple things we as adults who are so consumed in the outcomes we miss the small pleasures on the life climb.

If you get the chance to visit our beautiful area you should get some first hand acquaintance with this spot. I really believe I live in the most beautiful state in America. I love my home. That’s the cool thing about traveling – it makes you appreciate your roots even more than before. Okay… rabbit trail. Back to the hike.

I set off to find this overhang I had visited on my first hiking trip to the mountain, but it was evident I wasn’t going to be able to find the way. The path is hidden and since it’s been such a long time and the person who led before wasn’t with us, I had to finally relent and admit I couldn’t find it. Much to the appreciation of a couple people in our group, I’m sure. Next time!!

There are so many places to stop and look out over the water and the mountain and be in absolute awe of nature and God’s creation. Untouched. Unmarred. Raw beauty. Of course, all those places to stand in awe are also good spots for photo ops… Especially when you get near to the top and you feel so insignificant.

I recently heard a song by Chris August called “The Maker” – check it out here. It sums up everything I felt on this particular day.

There is this unexplainable feeling when you’re outside in the middle of nature – a feeling of complete freeness. It puts life in perspective. It’s serene. It’s humbling.

We hiked up further to the top and found a good place to sit on the edge and relax. This is what life should be. It was easy. And, I don’t mean in the way that life should be “easy”, but oh how we complicate it so. We’re always in a hurry, always trying to be ahead…

  There was nowhere to be. No rush. No hurry. Just time. And, sunshine. And, friends. And, lots of laughter.

 

We headed back down (thank God for the extra padding on my backside because there was some definite slippage) and decided to pull off on the side of the road where there was a sandy area on the water.

I love it when you’re with a group of people and someone suggests something that wasn’t necessarily part of the plan and everyone is game.

There was an older man sitting across the river from us on a rock, fishing. I couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking. Was this his therapy? To be out in the quiet – the rushing water easing his worries?

So… if you’re thinking about doing something a little out of your comfort zone, do it! If you keep doing the same thing, you will always be the same. Your results will always be the same. Do something different. Who knows, you may find a new love! As for me… I’ve already planned another longer hiking excursion coming up soon.

Until next time… xoxo, patty lauren