Bye for Now

I had the pleasure of taking the fundraising check down to the Frazee Dream Center today.  Thank you to all those who contributed to the campaign.  We raised over $3,000 collectively.  The money will go to support the great mentoring, tutoring and role modeling that the Frazee staff and volunteers offer to inner city youth.

I have healed up nicely in the little over two months since I finished the hike.  I was actually very surprised that I felt as achy as I did when I finished hiking, since I really felt pretty good all the way to the end of the hike itself.  I guess my mind must have been "willing" my body to keep together through the end of the hike.  When I stopped hiking my ankles swelled and my knees hurt.  At any rate, I am pretty much back to normal now.  I have put my weight back on, plus a little extra.  I am gradually learning that I cannot eat everything I want to now that I have stopped hiking.

As I have put a little distance - time-wise - from my hike, I have grown to appreciate the whole experience.  Here are some thoughts that I hope to remember going forward:

• We tend to make life much more complicated than it needs to be.  We can carry everything we need to live in a 35 pound backpack.
• Getting outdoors - especially "way outdoors" away from the hustle and bustle can be incredibly healing.
• A good meal involves shared tasks, good conversation, and wholesome food.  (And I missed that often on the trail.)
• To the extent it is possible, do the tough climbs in the morning.  That probably applies to any task in life... do the tough one first.
• Avoid using the words "should have".  Live in the present.

Signing off for now. 

Hannah Swoap receives our contribution check from Tom