Looking up.
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[ From the REI parking lot where we picked up our 2008 parks parking pass. ]
Awesome weather here yesterday called for a hike + picnic on Mt. Pisgah. Lily was loaded in the back. Water bottles were stuffed into the backpack. Sandwiches were grabbed at a local shop and off we went.
Sometimes when I go hiking I find it way too easy to keep my eyes focused on the ground as I walk rather than looking around and actually taking in all the beauty. I am always watching out for rocks and snags and holes - you know, being practical and safe.
Some of it is also that whole being in a hurry thing. Gotta finish this hike to get on to the next thing.Hurry. Hurry. Hurry. Whatever it is on my list at home: the laundry that needs moving, the bed that needs making, the emails that need to be returned, the projects that need to be completed, the garage that needs to be totally emptied and put back together again.
Yesterday I decided to make myself look up. Make myself really be present on this hike. Look up and actually see the way the trees reach for the sky; the way some branches are covered with moss like a cozy wool sweater; the way some are sprouting new growth and seem to be waking up right in front of our eyes; the way they create these complicated patterns in the sky twisting this way and that; and the way the clouds change from moment to moment as if playing a game of hide and seek.
I love that I made myself look up. Made myself slow down, be present, and see.
I also love that when we were saying the prayer with Simon tonight he said he was thankful for going on the hike.
Now before you think that our hikes are completely zen and all about being present...really those are just little moments in the overall experience that I carve out as I go along.
In reality our hikes are all about being together. About getting outside and trekking up and then back down again. About having conversations as we talk about what Lily is doing and about whether the other dog we just passed on the trail was "friendly." About comforting Simon after he trips on a rock and skins his knee. About stopping to double-knot Simon's shoes again for the third time. And chatting about what we will do next as we transition into the parking lot area (today we went to the used book store) .
It's all good. All of it. The zen moments, the crying moments, the dog moments, the transition moments, the together moments.
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64 comments
Oh,Ali, you captured the joy of hiking perfectly...before kids, I actually belonged to a hiking club and loved it...now, this spring, I've made a promise to myself to introduce the kids to hiking...we're luck to live in No. NV so there's plenty of hills/mountains and trails...lovely photos of a lovely day.
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That trail looks great! I'm loving that picture of the little fern growing from the moss!
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Took similar pic this weekend!
http://flickr.com/photos/21097952@N02/2322372848/
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I wish a trip like this was in my near future! We still have too much snow for greenness. Maybe april?! :)
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love the post today!
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Wow! I loved reading today and felt that you really hit the nail on the head for me. I am constantly hurrying through to get to the next thing on my list. Now, I am starting to see my eight year old daughter do the same thing. We have been trying to teach her to live in the moment and enjoy the now, instead of worrying about what we will be doing later. I feel horrible about the example I seem to be setting for her! I may have to change my word of the year from "accomplish" to "be present"!
On another note - have you guys been introduced to geo caching? We love to do this when we hike. All you need is a hand held GPS unit. If you go to "geocaching.com" you can search for geocaches close to where you will be hiking. The site will give you the coordinates and you plug them into your GPS unit. You then go on a fun "treasure hunt". My kids love it! The coordinates will get you close, then there are clues to help you locate the "treasure". It is usually a small container that is hidden - sometimes in a tree stump, a hole, etc. It will have a log book that you sign and date, and it will contain little "treasures". You can take a treasure, but you need to leave something for someone else. (We usually take any extra happy meal toys we have around - great lesson on recycling and reusing.) After your hike, you go back to geocache.com and report back on the status of that geocache. Loads of fun for everyone! And they are all over the world!
Thanks for your constant wisdom and insight!
Jeannine Billings
Overland Park, KS
j9billings@kc.rr.com
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the zen moment -- i love that you built it up as that and then gave us the reality. how cool!
love you,
jessica
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The blue sky, green buds and pink blossoms are so refreshing to see. I'm stuck under 2 feet of snow here in Cleveland. I think I'm living in the wrong part of the country. :) This was a great pick-me-up!
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Our family loves Mt. Pisgah! It's quite the hike for little ones. Good for your little guy.
Enjoy!
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sounds fabulous.
we received 16+ inches of snow over the weekend.
i'm not really seeing any signs of spring other than the time change.
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thanks for keepin' it real with that last bit! my life seems more about skinned knees, muddy shoes and an *overly friendly* dog. i try to accept it all, take it all in, b/c each moment is precious---even if it comes splattered with mud! ;-)
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Ahem.
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Love photo 6, that little fern is one of our countrys icon :)
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"Gotta finish this hike to get on to the next thing. Hurry. Hurry. Hurry."
i am totally with you on this. my dh calls me the white rabbit. i'm late, i'm late for a very important date! no idea what it is, but i must get to the next thing!
thanks for the reminder.
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Used book stores are awesome!
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I'm starved for anything GREEN right now, we're still snow-covered and frozen up here in NH. Love your photos!
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I've always loved looking up and if I have my camara with me even better. I love the night where we are at the stars number the sand on the sea.
I love spending time with my children and grandchilden. What a speical way you did this in the midst of busyness.
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I MEANT TO WRITE "AMEN" NOT AHEM .... I AM IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT WITH ALI ABOUT LOOKING UP MORE OFTEN - PARTICULARLY AFTER THIS IDIOT MISTAKE!!!!
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Love your pictures and hiking stories.
We have recently went on a hike with our son, it was a blast. Jess
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Ali...thank you for reminding me where I should be focused right now :)
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