All of that said, my husband makes me hike. Too me, that’s
more exercise, sweat, and complaining than I could ever get accomplished in a
gym.
So let me back up. This weekend, we went camping. Scott has
been anticipating this trip for 2 years. This Wyoming campground is small and
it’s only open 2 months out of the year. But it’s claim to fame – it is cradled
between the mountains at approximately 10,700ft in elevation. Last year it
didn’t even open – there was too much snow.
Gorgeous, huh? Well upon arrival Scott pointed out where we
would be hiking Saturday morning. It’s one of those peaks you see in the photo.
The hike was 4 miles round trip and 2000ft of vertical.
Granted, I like hikes, I like the outdoors, I love the fresh air – but I like
hikes that are half as long and hikes that are mostly horizontal. This was the
opposite. Earlier in the week, he
mentioned that we were going to be hiking this weekend. As always, my first
question was – how far? When he said 4 miles, I laughed and said, “4 miles one
way?” Surprisingly he said no, but he did say we’d be summiting a 12 thousand
foot mountain. Maybe you are, but not me
– is what I was thinking. Often times, we start hiking and just when you can see the end, I stop! My legs turn to jelly, I get
cranky, and I sit on a rock waiting for Scott to return, telling me how amazing
it was. This time, it was going to be different. He told me on our drive
yesterday, that it would really mean a lot, if I would hike to the top this
time – so I did.
Summit Marker - 12,700 feet |
Scott's Wifey (This smile was after I caught my breath, drank a bottle of water and ate a granola bar) |
My Mountain Man |
On our walk down the mountain I started thinking….What
possesses us as humans to put ourselves in danger and walk to the top of a
mountain? Climb rocks that could shuffle and cause you to break an ankle? Stand
near the edge when you finally make it to the top? Is it the thrill? The
adventure? The exercise? The views at the top? I guess it could be all of those
things, but for me, it’s none of them. The reason I hike mountains is the smile
my husband has on his face when he finally gets to the top. It’s the small
encouragements he provides, even when I’m complaining every step of the last
eighth of a mile. It’s the photo’s we take while we are standing at the top. And
it’s the story we can talk about when it’s all over.
Scott claims this is our “Ocean City, Maryland” – anyone who
is from my home town will understand this statement. There is a beach in
Maryland called Ocean City. You can leave at 5AM from Altoona and arrive at the
ocean before noon, and 90% of families go back every. single. year. According to Scott, we will be coming back
here, just as often. I won’t complain. It’s an escape from our everyday routine.
The scenery is breathtaking and I get to spend a few days with my dog and
husband enjoying life. It’s no ocean, but I guess it second best.
Other favorites from the weekend:
Our Moonlit House-on-Wheels (Insert Creative Caption Here) |
Mountain Escape - Snowy Range, WY |
Home-made Donuts on Sunday Morning |
Bore Family Photo - Redneck Style :) |
His new hobby - Timelapses |
Until next time, go to the gym (or maybe I should). I will be complaining for the next week about how sore my legs are.
oj.
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