This past week I traveled to my home state of Georgia with my 18 year old daughter so that she could visit friends she hasn’t seen in a while. I dearly love my child, but I do NOT love driving all day and since we rented a car, it was all me. Thank goodness for rest stops with ice cream vending machines.
That is all.
While the drive was agonizing, there were some bright spots on the trip. My daughter is just as much of a nature fanatic as I am so we made time for a couple of hikes, and one of those hikes was in the Tallulah Falls State Park. It’s a beautiful area with steep drops, amazing views and seven water falls.
We chose not to hike down into the gorge because I knew that we could not afford the helicopter rescue that would surely be required to get me back up the 1000 foot incline once we made it down. We took the much safer and less expensive route along the rim of the gorge and up to Inspiration Point where Karl Wallenda crossed the quarter mile wide gap on a high wire almost 1000 feet above the bottom of the gorge in 1970.
Much of the hike was relatively easy but the last part of the trail to Inspiration Point is littered with signs warning of the strenuous incline and dangerous terrain, but like most other signs I read, I know that they don’t really apply to me. They are for “those people”.
I mean, I have no problem taking care of business in my every day life and I proudly walk at least 20 minutes every morning so I figured that this hike might be a little difficult, but I was up to the challenge.
About five minutes in I became painfully aware that I was mistaken.
I realized that I AM one of “those people” and with the steep incline and the temperature well above 95 degrees I just might die on this mountain. I willed myself to continue because I knew that if I passed on that day I would at least want to have that amazing view as my last memory.
As I dragged my seriously out-of-shape, sluggish body up that slope,
one.
torturous.
step.
after.
another,
I realized that I do absolutely NOTHING in my every day life that actually challenges me physically or otherwise.
It was a wake up call for sure and I determined at that very moment in my 175 degree brain that IF I lived I would spend WAY less time in the virtual world and more time in the real world doing activities that challenge me.
Surprisingly enough, I did survive without suffering cardiac arrest, heat stroke, bear attack or terrifying fall (as evidenced by my retelling of the story) and I was rewarded with this simply stunning view. The photo cannot even begin to do it justice, and the feeling of accomplishing a difficult goal was invigorating.
As my daughter and I walked (okay, I practically crawled) back down I decided that my new motto is “Do hard things.”
- Less time on the internet. More time interacting with real people in real life.
- Less time watching home renovations on Netflix. More time actually working on my own clutter and home repairs.
- Less time stuffing my face. More time moving — hiking, swimming, kayaking.
I’ll keep you updated on my progress, but maybe you will be busy doing your own hard things and you won’t even notice.
So glad you were able to make the hike Kimberlee! Hiking is kinda like the stair master on steroids , esp. in hot weather. It’s an exercise that can stress the legs and heart. I’m glad you got through it in one piece. It’s amazing what our bodies can do.
Being a type 1 diabetic with peripheral neuropathy, bad vision, stomach/intestine paralysis…..It’s difficult for me to want to work out when i’m not feeling well, but I feel It is part of my life, i guess. In the end, i do believe it helps me in some way. Every day i ask myself what time I’m going to the gym. And then go.
I think you’ll enjoy the outdoors and how relaxing it is. Thinking is so much easier when there aren’t any distractions. Your pictures are so beautiful and so are you! Hugs to you!
Thanks so much Lisa!
Appreciate your honesty and vulnerability……that in itself can be a hard thing but really encourages and inspires others 🙂 And now I wanna go see this gorge myself! Chicago’s lakefront is great but I need to see some new scenery 😉
It IS difficult for me to be vulnerable but I think you’re right, it does encourage others which is why I keep doing it. 🙂
I hope you can visit the gorge one day. It’s worth the trip.
Awesome! Wonderful, encouraging, and lively post! I really enjoyed it and am taking it to heart. 🙂
I’m so glad you pushed yourself and have that wonderful memory with your daughter AND that you lived to tell it. 🙂
Blessings!!!
Thanks Michelle! So glad you enjoyed it and i really appreciate you taking the time to let me know. 🙂
I don’t know you personally but you continue to be an inspiration for me. Thank-you!
Aw, thanks Angela. That’s so encouraging!
Great post,I’m sure most of us are now rethinking how we spend our days. Thanks.
Thanks Elaine!
Yes that is right down the road from me. I had the same thing happen to me two years ago. I’m still working on getting back in shape. I want to go to the gorge floor soon. Maybe when it’s a lot cooler.
That’s so neat that you live close by Kelley!
Yes, please wait until it is a little cooler — although at least when you hike down into the gorge you can go swimming in that one waterfall. 🙂
I love this! I am with you. I have committed to doing a 5K in September to raise money for our regional Donate Life (my DD is a heart transplant recipient through them). That alone would not be all that hard, but I have committed to RUNNING it! I am not a runner at heart. But, I need to get in shape and it seems like a relatively realistic challenge. Hopefully, it turns out that way.
Good for you Sue! you can do it!
Beautiful story and pictures.
I too need to move way more than I do. I purchased a bunch of healthy groceries today and was on pinterest and found a walking plan.
Thanks Emilie! Good for you for making steps to a healthier you!
I started running about 6 months ago. I thought I hated running but I joined a running group and now I LOVE it. I went from almost no exercise to running 2-3 times per week. I even completed a 10k! BTW, I’m 40!
Good for you Dona! That’s awesome!!!!
Thanks for taking the time to let me know. 🙂
I am with you! Glad you are still alive to pass on the wisdom.
Thanks Khalilah! 🙂
So awesome! Love this!! Beautiful view, and glad you didn’t die!! 😀
Thanks Rachel! 🙂
Kimberlee, I am so proud of your for making this decision. I, too, have been convicted in my heart for sitting at the computer WAY TOO MUCH! I am an information junkie it seems, but need to get things DONE!!!!!! I have been riding my bike one to three times at day at about 10 to 20 minute rides. It is helping, but there is a way to go.
Next time you and your daughter do this I will come and do the driving for you 🙂 . All my friends call me to get behind the wheel for them as I Love driving, especially in the mountains.
May I share a little tip that has helped me for years when working in the yard, hiking or whatever in the intense heat? I pour water on my shirt and even my hair. When it is that hot I figure it isn’t a beauty contest it is a matter of endurance and survival.
That is all there is to it……keep your shirt and/or hair wet. If there is a choice using
warm water at first is easier as it isn’t too shocking if the body is hot. Now it is the first thing I do at the back door before going out for any length of time. By putting my hair up in a clip on top of my head it stays damp for quite a while.
Hope this helps. I really love today’s post. Please think about sharing more photos with us. Having never been to the Deep South I enjoy seeing the beautiful countryside.
Take care of yourself.
Excellent! Good for you!
Good for you. Keep on keeping on. I know the struggle and how easy it is to spend to much time on electronics. I hurt in places I didn’t realize we’re there. Lol. Have a great journey. Baby steps and then bigger steps.
Way to go. I can relate. We climbed to the highest point in the Smokes while staying in Pigeon Forge over Thanksgiving. It was cold and every steep, torturous step hurt my legs and my lungs. I made it and the view was awesome at dusk. I vowed to do hard things, and am over 1/2 way through a 6 wk bootcamp at a local church. Staying in shape through my late 40’s and early 50’s is a must since we have a 6 yr old in the house.
You go, girl!! 😉