Eight Lessons from the Trail
My husband and I spent last week hiking our way through several parks in Utah and Arizona.
I. Am NOT. A hiker.
Consequently, here are a few takeaways from our eight-day road trip with friends:
#1:
We crossed paths with young parents carrying the tiniest of babies on their fronts—and their backs. People pushing strollers—and wheelchairs. Veterans and novices. An 87-year-old man and his wife seeing the parks for the first time. And an 80-year-old woman who’s been a volunteer naturalist, medic, and member of the park’s search-and-rescue team for more than forty years. All sorts of people.
Kind of like life.
#2:
As someone who broke her foot walking down the hallway of her apartment, the idea of navigating rocky terrain gave me pause. But being surrounded by people who were always willing to give me a hand as we traversed precarious trails enabled me to do more than I ever could have alon
Kind of like life.
#3:
By the same token, knowing I could ask for help when I needed it—without fear of being mocked or looked down on—allowed me to push myself farther than I might have otherwise.
Kind of like life.
#4:
You can find community pretty much anywhere. We found encouragement—and commiseration—everywhere we went. Fellow travelers who would take photos of us—and us of them. Guides and other locals who shared all sorts of restaurant and hiking recs (all of which were spot on). And people exchanging comments about their favorite teams, based on the hats and t-shirts they were wearing.
Kind of like life.
#5:
It’s important to see the wonders of the world with your own eyes, rather than just through a camera lens. We came across so many individuals whose only interest seemed to be striking a pose (or a dozen) for their social media. They never took time to actually look at the scenery: miraculous rock formations, deep canyons, and gorgeous vistas created over thousands of millennia. And as nice as photos are to spark memories, a photograph simply can not capture the grandeur of the real thing.
Kind of like life.
#6:
No matter how well you plan, allow yourself the flexibility to deviate from the plan. Sometimes external forces dictate a change—and sometimes opportunities you never anticipated may present themselves. As we found in the middle of the desert—more than once—it does rain from time to time. So why not embrace it?
Kind of like life.
#7
Don’t be afraid to be true to yourself—no matter what everyone else is doing. Go at your own speed. Take a break when you need one. Linger longer if you want to. You do YOU.
Kind of like life.
#8:
You’re never too old to try something different. To push your own envelope. To pursue new adventures. To find yourself in awe. To spend time with friends.
Whether you’re a hiker or not.
Just like life.