Life is an Adventure

I found this when I was cleaning out the garage.  I wrote it in 2000 after taking a road trip at the end of a rough year.  The last few months have been particularly difficult and when I found this it spoke to me – much like it did then. I thought I’d share it with you in case you could use some encouragement.

As I traversed the trailer of Ha Ha Tonka State Park I could not help but draw a parallel to my life. I began with a somewhat leisurely trail that took me to the Carriage House and the castle ruins.

I started down another trail that promised a view of things already seen and turned to go the other direction.  I walked over the the old water tower and the steps added just a a bit of challenge.  I took my time, viewing all the ruins and the nature.  The weather could not have been more perfect.  I believe this represented my life until five years ago.  In the silence of the ruins I could almost hear the voices of the caretakers and the sounds of entertaining in the main house.

The next leg of my journey was to the natural bridge.  It was nothing like I had envisioned in my mind, nor was what followed. The path began simply enough with just a few rocks and gentle curves. The “natural bridge” was intriguing, if not daunting, to a “city girl” like I have become.  I debated walking under the rocky ledge, wondering if a spider or snake would come out to greet me.  I faced the fear because I knew that the spring was up ahead.

The trail got challenging from there. At times I wondered if I was still not he trail, it was so undefined. I finally reached the top and met a crossroad – go left or right (did I mention I had left my map in the car?). To my right I saw some stairs that led to the spring I wanted to go to. There as a warning sign for visitors saying this part of the trail was for people in good condition only. I didn’t let that stop me. Down I went.  316 stairs with curves and twists along the way.  I stopped occasionally to photograph the scenery for posterity. I reached the bottom and wondered if I was really where I had intended to go.  You see, I had envisioned crystal clear running water – possibly even a waterfall. What I saw was a blue-green water that resembled the color of the ocean, but it was still.  The water was calm and beautiful with the cliffs surrounding it. It was clear enough in spots to see the rocky bottom, fish, and vegetation.  There were no waterfalls but in the distance you could hear the water rushing over some rocks. It was peaceful. I watched as birds soared in the gorgeous blue sky above with the ruins as a backdrop. I gazed upward realizing just how far I had come – it was somewhat surreal.

After soaking in the scenery I realized I could continue on the trail, then take the highway around or I could go back up the stairs.  As I contemplated my choices a young man and woman gave me their maps. I studied it and reviewed my option and then I started back up the stairs. All 316 of them. I counted them to make it easier and keep myself focused. By the time I reached the top I was out of breath, my heart was pounding, and I was smiling. I had done it. I struggled and fought, but I had made it. What a sense of satisfaction I had.

Life is full of twists and turns; ups and downs; smooth and rocky points. There are breathtaking views, but you have to face your fears and take risks to see them. We are often given maps along the way but either forget them, lose them, or choose not to use them.  Throughout rough patches or times of indecision a hand is offered – it is up to us to accept or decline.  And finally, at the end of a particularly tough time or difficult journey, we can look back, take a deep breath, and rejoice that we have made it.  Even though the journey may have held something different than we originally envisioned (and life often does), we can still take pride that we survived the challenge. It is important for each of us to see that life is a journey full of challenges but, without those challenges, we may not fully appreciate the beauty of completion and a job well done.