Yesterday was a beautiful day, the Olympic Mountains were clear and the sun shone on them, almost as if they were calling to me. I knew of course I wouldn't be able to just go hike up to a local peak, as I usually would do when the mountains called. In this season of my life things are different. I get tired after walking up the stairs from my back yard to my house. Just to get through the basic house keeping is demanding on my body. Ahhh! But I can't ignore the urge to go into the mountains when they call. To ignore would be like denying myself the right to freedom, beauty, and adventure.
So....today I take my time getting going in the morning then I think about the beautiful waterfall at Rocky Brook in Brinnon, WA. Oh, I'm excited just thinking about getting out!! The timing is perfect, I can walk today, Hallelujah!! I have the strength to drive the 50 minutes it takes to get there, and hopefully to get back. And my spirits are high. I pack a picnic lunch, water, journal, reading book, and camera, and set off for a day of relaxation and renewal. I've found that the best thing for a hurt heart or weary soul is to bask in God's creation and soak in His beautiful love. A cure I don't think many people can argue with.
After the drive north on 101, I pull off the road onto an unmarked pullout and a wide smile crosses my face. Rocky Brook has been a favorite spot of mine every sense my grandmother showed it to me about three years ago. Now every time I travel north on 101 I always stop for the short hike. And some days, such as today, I come here as the final destination, rather then a road stop along the way. I often bring friends to share this beautiful spot with, today I come for solitude. Having fibromyalgia has taken a toll on me physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
The hike up to the waterfall is only about 1/4 of a mile and it has a gentle slope, usually the kids and I run up it. Today I take my time and watch my step, every change of pitch on my feet sends shooting pains up into my legs. (And remember, this is a "good" day.) But the splendor is worth every pain and throb. I may even physically hurt tomorrow because of my "adventure" today, but I know it will be good for me spiritually, emotionally, and mentally, which I've come to learn are more important then your physical strength.
I get up to where the trail ends and maneuver myself slowly over and through the large boulders to get to the bottom of the waterfall. Every step hurts but I keep my gaze focused forward to a large flat rock where I intend to perch for the next few hours. I set up "base camp" on the large rock, laying out my crazy creek chair, sweater, and bag with lunch, water, book, journal etc. Then I go slowly and cautiously to explore the water's edge and dip my hands into the crisp cold mountain water. Ahhhh! I'm refreshed. The next few hours I spend lounging on the rock and other nearby rocks like a marmot basking in the sun, taking in the beauty of my surroundings and reflecting on life's most precious things.
While rambling through the rocks I almost forgot I was ill. The sound of the constant falling water filled my being to the point where I didn't even think about my stresses involved with having and dealing with fibromyalgia, or what my future has in store. Even the sloppiness of my handwriting, because of lack of hand grip, doesn't bother me.
I wish I could just rent a cabin for the next month. Live in the woods, focus on healing, and get better. I know it's not always realistic to run off for some solitude and escape the worlds demands. I do need to make more of an effort to slow down my normally busy life and seek times for renewal, refreshing and revival. It's so important for the soul.
So....today I take my time getting going in the morning then I think about the beautiful waterfall at Rocky Brook in Brinnon, WA. Oh, I'm excited just thinking about getting out!! The timing is perfect, I can walk today, Hallelujah!! I have the strength to drive the 50 minutes it takes to get there, and hopefully to get back. And my spirits are high. I pack a picnic lunch, water, journal, reading book, and camera, and set off for a day of relaxation and renewal. I've found that the best thing for a hurt heart or weary soul is to bask in God's creation and soak in His beautiful love. A cure I don't think many people can argue with.
After the drive north on 101, I pull off the road onto an unmarked pullout and a wide smile crosses my face. Rocky Brook has been a favorite spot of mine every sense my grandmother showed it to me about three years ago. Now every time I travel north on 101 I always stop for the short hike. And some days, such as today, I come here as the final destination, rather then a road stop along the way. I often bring friends to share this beautiful spot with, today I come for solitude. Having fibromyalgia has taken a toll on me physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
The hike up to the waterfall is only about 1/4 of a mile and it has a gentle slope, usually the kids and I run up it. Today I take my time and watch my step, every change of pitch on my feet sends shooting pains up into my legs. (And remember, this is a "good" day.) But the splendor is worth every pain and throb. I may even physically hurt tomorrow because of my "adventure" today, but I know it will be good for me spiritually, emotionally, and mentally, which I've come to learn are more important then your physical strength.
I get up to where the trail ends and maneuver myself slowly over and through the large boulders to get to the bottom of the waterfall. Every step hurts but I keep my gaze focused forward to a large flat rock where I intend to perch for the next few hours. I set up "base camp" on the large rock, laying out my crazy creek chair, sweater, and bag with lunch, water, book, journal etc. Then I go slowly and cautiously to explore the water's edge and dip my hands into the crisp cold mountain water. Ahhhh! I'm refreshed. The next few hours I spend lounging on the rock and other nearby rocks like a marmot basking in the sun, taking in the beauty of my surroundings and reflecting on life's most precious things.
While rambling through the rocks I almost forgot I was ill. The sound of the constant falling water filled my being to the point where I didn't even think about my stresses involved with having and dealing with fibromyalgia, or what my future has in store. Even the sloppiness of my handwriting, because of lack of hand grip, doesn't bother me.
I wish I could just rent a cabin for the next month. Live in the woods, focus on healing, and get better. I know it's not always realistic to run off for some solitude and escape the worlds demands. I do need to make more of an effort to slow down my normally busy life and seek times for renewal, refreshing and revival. It's so important for the soul.
I sometimes miss and reminisc about the days when I was able to spend in the woods. Time in the back country, places where civilization can't get to with their cars or boats. Only the true adventurers make it out there, the ones who have to make a recognizable effort to get out and away. But yet I realize that not everyone desires to have solitude time, or maybe they're just satisfied with getting lost in a book or spending an evening alone. Not me. My spirit yearns for more!!
2 comments:
I'm soooo glad you got out yesterday. What a beautiful day it was. I hope today you're not paying for it. But as you wrote, the mental well-being it brought you I'm sure is worth it. You'll have to take me to the falls sometime.
John
Glad to hear you are doing what you need. I am sure it was a glorious day, good thing you aren't here in ND, don't know where you'd go!!!! I pray that you are feeling well today. Elijah says hi to Will's mom!
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