25 miles, 13 waterfalls & 1 slightly illegal endeavor...

I put about 25 miles on these little old feet of mine, 15 of them in one never-ending hike that had me wanting my mommy. I found 13 waterfalls this weekend... and I admit, I trespassed! I did! ... and I was not alone; this time my partner in adventure (and quite literally in crime) was Justin, my eldest son, and together we conquered many of the most noted waterfalls on the Peninsula!

It was a whirlwind, with many lessons, treasures and lovely moments along the way.

I think the biggest take away of the entire trip for me was that I love to move; and within the rigorous, monotonous, sometimes painful rhythm of moving, my thoughts shake out and settle like flour through a sieve...

But...

I ought to learn to take time to still myself and marinate in a moment, or two, or maybe even more than that. To sit, to be still, to allow what will be to simply be. I ought to fully experience all that can be smelled, seen, tasted, touched and heard. This vacation was cram packed with hikes and adventures and points of interest. We got there, we saw that, we left and ventured on to the next... It was rewarding, exhilarating and rejuvenating! The loooooonnnnnnggggg hike up to the Flapjack Lakes waterfalls was grueling and insightful. I can honestly say I do not think I could sit and watch a waterfall for as long as I moved forward on the trail but ... a weekend of crazy amazing waterfall hunting made me realize how much subtly I may be missing at my break-neck pace through life. It's a deep thought for me, to "be" in a moment and let the moment waft through my mind for more than seconds, to give it plenty of time to soak in and saturate my being. Since the thought beckoned me so sweetly, yet persistently, whilst in the middle of my movement I am sure the LORD is pushing me to grow in an area of weakness, to learn to embrace stillness. I will be more mindful of moments and not just achievements.

But...

What a rush to partner with my son on multiple hikes, to put 15 miles in in one day and to find 13 waterfalls in three days!!!!  Awwww yeah! We did this! Enjoy!