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
Hi Ali,
I was just reading your blog this morning while waiting for the sun to come up for my walk on day 2 of the rest of my life (time to put an end to the scrapper's/sewer's spread that's been creeping up on me) and while reading your words I thought "you too!!!" Yesterday I set out on my walk and realised that I walk looking down (same as you - keeping an eye out for bumps in the road) when it occurred to me that I could actually look up and check out the world around me! Here in Australia it's autumn and the trees are turning all sorts of glorious golds and reds. The morning air is crisp and you feel you are really alive when you're out and about in it. I was so glad to have had (and recognise that I was having) "the moment".
Glad your experience was a good one too. Here's to glorious days and great moments.
Sue
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Looking up on your hike you did see beauty such a simple pleasure that I am sure added meaning to your day. Lovely photos and thanks for sharing.
Suzanne
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Looking up on your hike you did see beauty such a simple pleasure that I am sure added meaning to your day. Lovely photos and thanks for sharing.
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It is way too easy to stay focused on the small stuff when enjoying time outside. It's so important to look around once in a while and really see whats around you! Nice pictures TFS.
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looking up
breathing it in
peace in the chaos :)
my kind of weekend ali!
tfs those snaps too :)
lusi x
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It's so funny to read your blog and read about your hike up Mt. Pisgah. We have that same mountain in my hometown...but there is NO grass on the ground and certainly no leaves peeping out up here in Maine! Enjoy the warmth!!!
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Hi Ali,
I just had to comment today. I LOVE the times we're together as a family, without computers and cell phones. We have two boys, ten and five. We've taken up bike riding and skiing this year; we've enjoyed hiking in our area for a few years now. They are the BEST times, the most relaxing times, the most important times. My husband and I are beginning to plan our vacations around being active, and they're so much fun! I'm like you, though, that I look down a lot when I'm skiing or hiking. This last time skiing, I looked up and saw the blue sky and mountains around me and I was in awe. Thanks for reminding me to do this more often!
Enjoy spring!
PAM
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Great post. Thanks for sharing. I wanted to say that I totally saw a face in your cloud picture. He's wearing sunglasses. :-)
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Love that you talk about being "present." I'm reading A NEW EARTH by Eckhart Tolle, and he talks about doing just that. So, that is my focus now... just be in the present and tune out all the distractions.
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Ali, I love your posts. You are positive, upbeat, true, and inspirational. I'm glad you had a great day!
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On my next walk, I'll remember my camera and remember to look up. Love your pics and the fact that you have family hikes.
Sue
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Wonderful words, Ali. Thank you for making me remember all of that. :) Togetherness.
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Can you let Iowa know spring is on its way?? I don't think it knows!! :)
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Awesome photos, Ali!
Sending you a TAG (yours in one of my most read blogs!)
More info on mine..
www.scrappinjewlz.blogspot.com
Julie
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Oooh. What a wonderful moment!
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What a great reminder -- to enjoy it all -- you've inspired me (again! thank you!! :) to get the family out for a walk this weekend!
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I love days like that. Just "being" with my husband & kids. Alas, here in northern Illinois there are NO SIGNS OF SPRING!!!!! But, it looks lovely where you are - thanks for sharing!!
Laura
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I'm so glad you took the time to look up and really take in your surroundings. So often I forget to do the same thing as I'm trying to race from one thing to the next trying to cram way too much into a day. Thanks for the reminder.
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For a long time I used to focus on getting to, taking pictures of, getting the pictures printed and getting the pages done of events. Then one day I was looking at my scrapbook and realized I spent so much time worried about the process that I was missing out on the good stuff. The jokes & laughter, the stories, the good times with friends. It's taken me time to get out of the "get 'er done" mode and actually focus on the moments themselves but boy does it feel better.
Thanks so much for all of your inspiration Ali!
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hi sister!
we go on hikes all the time - one of my favorite things to do with the kids:)
Last week we were on one and the BIGGEST FATTEST OWL you have ever seen in your life at any zoo or museum swooped down within 5 ft of Ellie. TOTALLY felt like I was in Narnia. So fun.
LOVE YOU!
Cath
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