Mile Marker One

I know I haven't been updating as much as I had said I would, but I've been keeping a journal as well as gluing little keepsakes in it as well. So I'll probably post that or maybe snippits when I get back. So to update you, I'm having the most amazing time of my life. In fact, I think I've enjoyed it more than any vacation I've ever taken, including all the times I've been to New York. Today I planned a hike to see Wallace Falls. I thought some exercise and a waterfall could be a pretty good combination. From the reviews I had read, even though the Washington Trails Association lists part of the trail as medium and part of the trail as hard, most of the reviews said it was easy, so I thought no big deal. Let me preface the rest of the story by telling you, I've never really hiked before. I've only been once in California and that was with my friend who was a pro. I've never been by myself, that's for sure. I arrive and start the hike. After about half a mile, you reach the forest and a sign with the following quite:

Come forth into the light of things. Let nature be your teacher.
- W. Woodsworth

I realized it was a good reminder. When else was I going to have hours to myself. I decided that I should ponder life, relationships and the cure to cancer on my hike to the falls and back. However, what I didn't realize was that all the people that said the hike was "easy" were probably people who ran 10 miles a day and have .15% body fat. I, as you know, do not fall into this category. Life problems suddenly no longer were in my mind, but I realized this hike was going to be the equivalent of a workout class. In fact, my heart rate got just as high as cardio classes that I take a Gold's, the only difference is that after one hour, I had barely reached the Small Falls (there's small, lower, middle and upper). I hiked on and pushed through. I reached the Small Falls, yes! There was still a ways to the Middle Falls. I chatted with people along the trail and everyone had stopped at the Middle Falls because the hike to the Upper was hard they said. Oh, did I forget to mention that I started hiking at 3pm, so I was a little on a time crunch. I finally reached the Middle Falls, success!!! My thighs were burning. I was trying to take a self portrait to prove that I was there and a trio came panting up the trail. Turns out they were from Beaumont, TEXAS!!! We chatted for a minute and they continued up the trail. At that point, I decided, the heck with it, I was there, I might not have another chance to do this, I was hiking up to the Upper Falls.

I packed up my bag and was about 5 minutes behind the Texas Trio. I arrived at switchbacks, I could hear the trio but couldn't see them. Finally, I spotted them waaaaaaaay up the switchbacks, I was tempted to turn around, but I didn't. I got to the 2.5 mile marker and saw the trio head back down. I was out of breath and sweaty, I said ppppppllllllleaaaaaaaaaase tell me I'm close and it's worth it. The girl replied, "P.S. It's totally amazing and you're almost there." That was all I needed. I kept hiking and finally reached the top!!! I don't know if I was more excited to see the Upper Falls or the fact that I had conquered the hard trail. Looking back, I would definitely say it was conquering the trail. Seven hours later, I'm still on a hiker's high (I don't know if there is such a thing, but I know there's a runner's high, so I'm making it work.) I realized it was 6:00 pm and it had taken me three hours to hike up and sunset was at 7:59, so I had to boogie back down.

The descent was relatively easy, comparatively. Since I wasn't worried about my legs falling off, my mind began to wonder. Around the 1 mile marker, I reached a very important decision in my life. A very long time ago, a good friend of mine had a conversation about life direction. He said, you can either decide to be happy or you can decide to have money. Most people, not all, but most are faced with decision when picking jobs. At mile marker one, I decided and declared that I am choosing happiness in my life. I don't care if I'm dirt poor, feeling happy has got to be the best thing in the world. As cheesy and cliche as it sounds, I think I've lost sight of my real self recently. I was in a rut and not happy with where that rut was taking me. I've finally broke free and I feel like a bird let out of the cage. I can do anything (like hike a hard trail!) that I want, no one or nothing can stop me. I really don't want to loose sight of this. Changes are coming in my life and I don't know what they hold, but I do know that I will be selfish and make sure I am happy first. :) The last mile out of the forest and back to the trail head, I was so excited with this revelation, that I almost ran back. Almost, I said. So friends, (interjection: I really appreciate you that read this and comment or send me texts afterwards. I know that few of you read this so I am able to free talk with you gals and truly let everything out) next time you see me, please ask me how I am doing and make sure I am sticking with my resolution. I LOVE YOU ALL!